The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-12-05
HOFFMAN AND CHURCH.
Two Eminent New York Democrats
on the Political Situation.

A New York Herald correspondent
q few days ago sought Governor Hoff
man at the State House in Albany, and
proceeded to interview him on State
and national politics. The Governor
after denying that he had been con
suited on any proposition for a fusion
OF the Democrats and anti-Grant Re
publicans. was interrogated as follows
Governor" said /, after a pause
what is your opinion Of what is
termed
THE PASSIVE POLICY.
/. 9. allowing the Republicans opposed
to Grants administration to nominate
a statesman to whose standard can be
rallied the full Democratic supportT'
"Well, sir" said be, speaking slowly,
as though weighing the force OF each
word, the time has come in our his.
tory when we want at the head Of the
government a statesman such as we
have not had within my recollection.
There are
STILL STATESMEN IN THIS COUNTRY
who could rescue the government from
the perils that beset it. believe, hon
estly, that very, yes, very large
majority of the people Of this country
are opposed to General Grant filling the
office of Chief Magistrate OF the nation
for another term, and we ought to find
a statesman who could defeat him.
This administration has not met the
expectations of the people. The time
has come when we want-when the
masses demand
"GREAT REFORM"
His Excellency paused for a moment,
and continued There is feeling ri e
among the people that nation OF all
honest men, or those opposed 10 corrup
ton, is desirable, and it is, perhaps, ad'
visabe that to accomplish the defeat oil
the present partyin power
A FUSION SHOULD BE FORMED
with such a motive, even if some be
compelled to sacrifice for time their
feelings OF fealty to party. The Demo
craric party is still power in the land,
and it cannot forget its principles; but,
say, perhaps it would be wise and pa
triotic and desirable in the Cause o.
honest government to make some sac
rifces. l say perhaps. for | have not
vet settled in my mind what course the
Democracy should pursue. Yet am
fully impressed with the responsibility
that rests upon the people at the pres
ent crisis in our national affairs, and
think that we should all endeavor to
secure economical administration and
the correction of abuses To accom-
plish this result we must have
A STATESMAN WHO WILL DICTATE A
POLICY
to his Cabinet instead Of blindly follow
ing such a policy as may be mapped out
by his Ministers. A President should be
such a man, and until we obtain one oi
this character we need not hope to
prosper nor stop de'alcations, the negli'
eence o. officials and the corruption that
boldly seats itself in high places" ="
The Governor spoke long and elo-
auentl, upon this subject, and discussed
with me the entire situation. and while
| may not have given his language pre-
ciseIy as uttered, as | made no notes. l
have in the above, believe, not mis-
represented his views.
He also referred 10 the necessity for
the people of the entire nation follow
ing the example set by the Democrats
and Republicans of New York, of
EXTENDING THE REFORM MOVEMENT
that has been inaugurated there 80 sue
cessfuIly to the entire nation, and the
duty OF the press to lead in the grand
work BY educating the masses in their
duties and responsibilities as citizens
who desire honest government and can
rise above the claims Of party merely.
CHIEF JUSTICE CHURCH.
This distinguished jurist was next
introduced. In response to question
in regard to a union to defeat Grant,
the Chief Justice said: ..
al have not been an advocate OF Goa
litiors. The Democracy of the nation
is too great a power 10 surrender Its
principles in scramble for office. Its
past history is too brilliant to torego It's
policy Tor division OF spoils, and it still
lives and will live for a brilliant future
that must come some time.
81 do not mean to say that it is pro-
posed to sacrifice principle for the gains
of office, but in the cause of general
reform 10 form a union oil all parties
upon some LIBERAL basis tor the de eat
OF President Grant, and the termination
of the corrupt practices, the lavish ex
pendltures of money, and the corrup
ton OF the people that is said to char
acterize the present rule at Washing
ton"
Again the Judge hesitated beore an
sSering, but finally declared:
"Sir, you speak Of corruption in the
administration OF the nation.
IT Is SAD TO CONTEMPLATE.
but it is nevertheless fact, that bribery
corruption, peculatiou and defalcatlon
are the order under Grants administra
tiou. l do sincerely believe that In
this nation there is great majority ol
the people opposed TO the re-e'ecllon o'
Mr.. Grant. They are d sgu-;ed with
his craftsmanship and the robbery thai
rules under it. But
THE DEMOCRACY IS NOT YET DEAD.
Il has statesmen left who can lead it to
victory, it wise counsels prevail. when
the time comes they can be found
whether we search for them in the
modest law office, the marts OF com
,oerce or the sanctum. Yes, we have
statesmen left whose names have never
been mentioned in connection with the
.o,ll laaH nur pQrtV tC