Greeley, Horace (1811-1872) to Sylvester Graham
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04505 Author/Creator: Greeley, Horace (1811-1872) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: June 26, 1846 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket ; 25.8 x 20.2 cm. + 1 engraving ; b&w ; 25.4 x 16.7 cm Order a Copy
Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, writes to Graham, a minister and reformer. Declines Graham's request of publishing an article by a Mr. [Cambell?]. Writes, "He is now doing well, making some money... and perfectly able to pay for any service done him- much more than I am to give him any. Now such an article as yours in all my papers is worth to him $50, while I can only publish it at my own loss... I stand, therefore, on a just and necessary rule, which, I wish, I had adopted earlier and could now insist on... that a service at my own cost and to the becoming benefit of another, is either worth [paying?] for or it is not worth doing." Mentions Cambell's involvement in waterbus establishments and writes "I have attended to his advantages of Mountain air, scenery, &c. again in a recent article in 'Summer Travel.' " 1 black and white bust engraving of Greeley included.
[excerpt]
New York June 26, '46
Friend Graham,
Yours of the 23d only reached me this morning I do not think it best to publish
your article, and shall [struck: publish] give you my reasons frankly.
I am willing to give my best exertions through life for the good of mankind, but when I give to one man I must feel that he needs it or has special claims upon me. Neither is the case with Mr. Cambell. I like him and have had dealings with him, in which he has treated me well and I think I have treated him well, so that I believe I am at least even with him. He is now doing well, making money with a house-full of boarders, and perfectly able to pay for any service done him - much more than I am to give him any. Now such an article as yours [inserted: in all my papers] is worth to him $50, while I can only publish it out my own loss - that is, by displacing matter likely to interest ninety out of every hundred readers. I stand therefore, on a just and necessary rule, which I wish I had adopted earlier and could now insist on using [illegible], - viz that a service at my own cost and to the becoming benefit of another, is either worth paying for or it is not worth doing….
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