Greeley, Horace (1811-1872) to R. L. Sanderson

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00608

Author/Creator: Greeley, Horace (1811-1872)

Place Written: New York, New York

Type: Autograph letter signed

Date: 15 November 1871

Pagination: 2 p. ; 19.5 x 12.6 cm.

Summary of Content: Serving as editor of the New York Tribune, Greeley offers advice to Sanderson: ”...I say to all who are in want of work, Go West!” Written on New York Tribune stationery.

People: Greeley, Horace, 1811-1872., Sanderson, R. L., fl. 1871.

Historical Era: Rise of Industrial America, 1877-1900

Full Transcript: New York, Nov. 15, 1871., dear Sir:, So many people ask me what they shall do; so few tell me what they can do. Yet this is the pivot wherein all must turn., I believe that each of us who has his place to make should go where men are wanted and where employment is not bestowed as alms. Of course, I say to all who are in want of work, Go West!, But what can you do? and how can your family help you? Your mother, I infer, is to be counted out as an effective worker. But what of the rest? And you - can you chop? Can you plow? Can you mow? Can you cut up Indian corn? I reckon not. And in the West it is hard to find such work as you have been accustomed to. The conditions of living are very crude there., On the whole I say, stay where you are; do as well as you can; and devote every spare hour to making yourself familiar with the conditions and dexterity required for the efficient conservation of out-door industry in a new country. Having mastered these, gather up your family and Go West!, Yours,, Horace Greeley, , [docket] , R.L. Sanderson,, [illegible]bury, MA

Keywords/Subjects: Journalism, Westward Expansion, Immigration and Migration

Sub Era: Development of the West

LOC Search Terms: United States--Territorial expansion., West (U.S.)--History., Frontier and pioneer life--United States.

Resource: Horace Greeley: “Go West,” 1871

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