Abstract

Reminiscences of an Octogenarian

According to the author, it would give him great pleasure to contribute reminiscences of his connection with the periodical, the Nation, were it not that he have played editor for the periodical so much that he is afraid he may feel bound as such to reject his own contribution. The author had a club acquaintance with journalist E.L. Godkin before the periodical was established and had reviews in it almost from the beginning. In 1871, as the great conflict was approaching for the overthrow of politician William Marcy Tweed, the author wrote an editorial intended to accompany the meeting at Cooper Institute which began the campaign. Godkin accepted it for that purpose and gave it its title, "The Bottom of the City Difficulty." According to the author, once in a while the editors would telegraph a request that he furnish the editorial on some unexpected subject: and sometimes the subject was one which he did not feel equipped for.