Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1872-09-12
Charles O'COnner.

This gentleman who has been a life
long Democrat and at the head Of the
party in the State of New York,
though in favor of the nomination of
straight Democratic ticket at Louis
vile, was not able to attend the
Convention, but wrote letter which
was read before the Convention, snd
from which letter we make the follow
ing extract for the benefit of our
Democratic readers, as they will not
be likely to find it in any county Gree
ley newspaper:
The enormous growth of official
malversation in this city and State,
which was brought to light during the
last war, invited good men TO action.
The discoveries made afforded an Op-
pOrtunity of stirring the general mind
to persistent effort for reform.
The opportunity was improved,
and undisturhed by the inopportune
occurrence of the present canvass, the
current of popular sentiment has ever
since moved steadily in the right di-
rection. The desire has been exten-
sively entertained that this movement,
which originated in the nations me-
tropolis, should be permitted to run
its natural course, and draw into har-
mony with itself the honest masses
throughout the country, and thereby
lead to the establishment of efficient,
self-sustaining, and permanent bar
riers against the prevalent evils.
Facts, however, warrant an appre
hension that the pending conflict for
the control OF the Federal power has
broken in on the tendency to reform,
and may completely reverse it. Gov
ernmental intermeddling with those
concerns of society which under judi
cious laws might beneficialIy be left
to individual action, is the only real
evil actually developed in our system.
This eminence is assigned to it be-
cause the measures required to correct
it are precisely those which would
eXtirgate the understandable powers
now so mischievously exercised by
our officials. If, instead of prohi5-
iting or dimishing this vicious prac-
tice, our people should impart to it
new sanctions and greater vitality, re-
form must become impossible.
"Of this practice above all other
living Americans, Mr.. Greeley is the
recognized champion, and no body OF
organized opponents to it has ever
existed in the country except the
Democratic party. Yet by the decree
Of convention assuming to represent
that party, Mr.. Greeley has been ga
zetted its standard bearer. Opposi-
ton to that proceeding has, in my
mind, far deeper source than mere
attachments to party. That [ at least
am unduly influenced by that senti
ment, may appear by the measures
adopted against the recently detected
municipal malefactors. In organizing
the forces employed equal opportuni
ties for purging itself from completely
were conceded to each of the great
political parties-and to every class
Thus innocence has been shielded
from the discredit of evil associations,
inadvertently formed of official vii
liany stands literally defenseless unde
actual or impending Judgment, and all
honest men in this great city and State
are invited as brotherhood in co N
$ mon defense as do Thus from party
sentiment my views of the public inter
est, and Of existing public necessitie
compel me to repudiate the Baltimor
nomination of Mr.. Greeley. When
ever speaking or writing on the sub
ject l have uniformly condemned, an
declared my readiness to support
I Democratic candidate.
This circumstance has led to a sup
pOsal in some quarters that l had as
pirations to office, and it has bee
suggested that my name be offered 70
D your acceptance as a candidate. Th
e object of this letter is to avoid misap
j prehension on that point.
e "If compelled to decide between Ger
Y Grant and Mr.. Greeley as candidate
V for the presidency, the Democrat
: eIector must rely very much upo
l. mere conjecture. Those who inclin
n to the latter as choice of evils sug
gest that a mitigation of oppression
:; at the South would result from hi
: success. There may, however, b
d equal ground to hope for that goo
=, result in either issue of this rivalry
:, Once his second term shall have bee
II secured, Gen. Grants only motive fo
l. inf1icting misery on that portion {
S his countrymen will cease. An effo1
j. to secure third term or to establis
; dictatorship can not reasonably h
d apprehended, and, consequently,
is comparison Of probabilities offers I
II merely blank olympiad on one han
IT or four years of indefnable activit
y on the other. That wise people who's
e usages we have generally followed ha
occasion to pass through trans
tional period somewhat similar to tbs
/ now affecting Southern interests.
y their action at that time we could fin
IS safe precedents for course of polio
1t which would promptly reinstate South
n ern prosperity; but if there be on
among the master spirits of the az
sc who, even if inclined, could not adol
N the policy it is Mr.. Greeley. The SUI
Y cess of Gen. Grant might involve n
L important consequences, but that {
ii Mr.. Greeley would consecrate tt
y practices referred to, which, in N
opinion, are absolutely incompatib
/ with the permanency of Repub lican il
u stitutions."
:" = One of the most promising {
- the improvements in the production