But it did not take definite shape until 1868.
Mr.Haldeman had returned from a somewhat picturesque and not altogether profitable pursuit of his "rights in the territories" and had resumed the suspended publication of the Courier with encouraging prospects.

I had succeeded Mr.Prentice in the editorship and part ownership of the Journal.

Both Mr.Haldeman and I were newspaper men to the manner born and bred; old and good friends; and after our rivalry of six months maintained with activity on both sides, but without the publication of an unkind word on either, a union of forces seemed exigent.

To practical men the need of this was not a debatable question.

All that was required was an adjustment of the details.