The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-06-27
A REPRESENTATIVE MAN.
SKETCH OF THE CAREER OF PETER
b. SWEENY, OF NEW YORK.
A New Figure Looming Up on tho Hoo
rfzon OF National Politics.
IFRoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

duties quietly and without. ostentation, has re-
gaze. Thus il happens that his great intellec-
tual powers an6 his calmness and endurance
in times of political excitement and strife
among the party giants are fully known only
to those whom official engagements or social
intercourse have brought frequently into his
society.
MI. sweeny is wholly a New Yorker. His
thoughts, his energies, and his untirlng zeal
seem to nave been ~infexibly devoted to the
good government of his native city from the
dey ~ left the law Office Of the late James T.
Brady to the present, time. And it may be
here stated, without fear of contradiction, that
he has accomplished more useful reforms in
the chartered rights and privileges for the
City0t New York than any man living or dead.
And herein lies the grand secret of Mr..
Sweeny's strong hold upon the confidence OF
his fellow.citizens. His friends are confident
that his important services to the great
metropolis will not be forgotten.
The successful administration of the NUM-
clpal government Of New York is largely due
to Peter B. Sweeny. The latest instance of
his energy is the Viaduct Railroad, which was
originated by him, and which. is destined to
work an entire revolution in the mode OF
transit throughout the whole length of the is
land. This question of railroad accommoda-
ton for the moving millions Of our inhabitants
was one Of the highest moment; hut Mr..
Sweeny grasped the subject with ar ability
which showed that be fully comprehended the
magnitude OF the work, and the Legislature
of the State promptly passed the blu prepared
H. ht-o fN- Tho ~ fhto praof
measure Of relief to all OF our citizens who
are more Immediately interested in the upper
wards of the city. The T;aiuct Railroad will
prove one oil 1.-THE grandest measures yet devised
Tor the convenience Of the masses of the peo-
pie Of this great and prosperous metropolis.
His intellectual forecast penetrated the nee
essity of reform, and he at once applied him
self to the gigantic work; and whatever differ
ence OF opinion there may be among lntelli-
gent and thoughtful men as to the wisdom OF
the plan OF government for the City OF New
York, now IN successful operation, that plan
Is the offspring of Mr.. Sweeny's mind, and no
more perfect scheme has yet been submitted
fol. public consideration. The utmost harmony,
accountability and official responsibility have
been substituted for the chaos and irresponei-
bility In all the public departments, which
had rendered New York City the standing
subject Of ridlcule throughout the land. Years
of patient thought and profound study had
made Mr.. Sweeny master Of the subject; and
inspired with anxiety to serve his fellow-citi-
zens, with whom he was in sympathy and the
most perfect accord, he drafted the principles
of our present chartered rights, which are
likely to remain through all time a monument
to his matchless Industry, tact, and legal
acumen.
Mr.. Sweeny has long since, by common
consent, passed into the order OF marked and
distinguished men, and his usefulness can
hardly, much longer be clrcumscribed within
the limits Of the city or the State OF New York.
his enlarged and statesmanlike views already
command the admiration n enlist the friend
ship of the ablest men In the Union. ID the
Empire State the honored names OF william
L. Marcy, Silas Wright, Martin Van Buren,, 6.
C. Cambreleng, and ALMOST of other gIeat
lights, who, for more than a quarter OF acen-
tnry, led the Democratic hosts to victory,
under the triumphant banner OF Jackson and
bis successors, are no more. Those departed
and honored statesmen have left q bright re-
cord, to which the Democratic party may
proudly point tor ages to come. Inc manue
OF Sllas Wrlghtlfalls gracefully upon the shoul-
ders of Peter 3. Sweeny, while the executive
talents of Marcy and the far-reachinS polielcal
sagacity OF Martin Van Buren, are reproduced
in the Development Of Sweeny's power to
organize governments. and create radical
changes 1n.the fundamental laws upon WHICH
all chartered rights and constitutional powers
are based 10.
It has been said that Sweeny's character Is
original and peculiar. So it Is. Bis cabinet
of personal friends and advisors are lew, able
and9expe7ienced; thus chosen because OF the
necessity OF perfect harmony OF sentiment N
his private councils. And hence his invariaoie
success. Gifted with a keen and active mind,
and fortified with the best talent In the State
at his command, failure In what he under
takes is almost impossible.
Mr.. Sweeny is q safe, sound counsellor, Of
quick conception of all matters submitted 10
his Judgment, whether In. relation to men,
principles or measures. 1t is his nnrivalied
auickness and tact as a political leader that
must, ere long, force. him into the higher
walks of national politics as one OF the repre-
sentative men otIthe great Empire State IN the
councils otthe Union. 80 -.
In The walks of social Life, Mr.. Sweeny Is a
kind, genial, unassuming gentleman, HIS
benevolence Is as unobtruslve as 1t 10 lar-
reaching and bountiful; indeed, his charities
are 80 modestly bestowed that even his most
intimate friends are seldom made aware, ex-
cept BY chance, OF the extent OF mis- good
deeds. Such, In brief, Is the character OF Inc
foremost man in the State Of New YORK. Inc
name and fame OF Peter 3: Sweeny, togeIner
with his brilliant record, will pass Into the MS,
tory OF his native State as worthy 10 oe placed
side by side with her!most distinguished sons
The poisoned shafts Of a prejudiced ana a
licentious press may;asssD, 'bnt can never IN
lure his unsullied character.
These are eventful times, and the year 1877
will mark an epoch of extraordinary signlh-
canoe in the history of the American taion:
The farmers Of the North and the great
planting interests of the South are allke ~
yolyed In the important struggle for Inc
change of the administration Of the general
government. The American people must be
left free to prosecute oil branches OF trade ana
industry, without the constant annoyance and
espionage OF the officials temporarily In charge
of the government; and a prophetic vision
may point in the dim distance to the coming
MIA who is to relieve the nation OF the incu-
hns which now weighs it down in all direc'
tIons. Strange and startling movements IN
national politics are at hand, and the name OF
Peter B. Sweeny may yet be even more con
spicuous and illustrious than any OF those VINO
have hltherto seemed foremost in the race for
the highest honors in the gin OF the American
people.
TIE INDIAN MASSA GRE.