John Harrison Wilson, The life of Charles Henry Dana

But it had thoroughly aroused the spirit of freedom in the Northern States, and laid the foundation sleep in the hearts of the Northern people for that splendid campaign, which not only made both Kansas and Nebraska free States in due time, created the Republican party, elected Lincoln its second candidate to the presidency, but ultimately abolished slavery itself. In all its preliminary work the Tribune seemed to take no thought of its own interests. While it was unselfishly devoting its time, its talents, and its revenues to the antislavery cause, it is not to be disguised that its vehemence and radicalism had begun to estrange its conservative friends. The overwhelming defeat of General Scott for the presidency, and the division of the Whig party on sectional lines, had destroyed the party as an effective national organization. The Tribune, it will be remembered, had always been the leading Whig journal of the country, but its declaration, that if it had to give up Whiggery or opposition to slavery, it would give up Whiggery, doubtless cost it thousands of subscribers. Besides, many good and conservative people, perceiving the fierce determination of the Southern leaders, began to recognize that war was inevitable unless the passionate appeals of the antislavery men could be moderated, ceased to read the Tribune, where all the arguments and all the heat of the controversy were concentrated, and turned their backs upon the courageous but unrelenting and impracticable editors.

By the middle of 1854, Greeley, who was the largest owner as well as the editor-in-chief, had come to the conclusion that to go on as they were would lead to ruin, and that expenses must be reduced. Dana seems to have opposed cutting down the paper, but was overruled. On September 1st he wrote to Pike, who was still in Washington, as follows: