The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-07-25
Judge Stanley Matthew's.

1t will be remembered by most OF our
readers that Judge Stanley Matthews Of
Cincinnati, figured conspicuously in the
Cincinnati pie-bald mass meeting, but of
its results we will let him speak for him
self.
To the Editor ofMe Cincinnati Com
n,ercidl.
Your issue of yesterday contains
letter from me to Geo. Olmstead, ESQ,
dated March 20, 1872, furnished by
some person who preface it by call for
an explanation why l do not comply
with the terms of the agreement under
which invited them to meet me at the
Cincinnati Convention, based upon the
further allegation that now occupy a
position inconsistent with that on which
l stood before it met That inconsisten-
cy is based, L presume, upon statement
in the letter, that l would heartily sup
port Horace Greeley, if he should be
considered the strongest man for the
race, upon policy Of combining all the
elements of opposition and concentrating
their united support upon candidates of
high character whose success would re-
deem politics from the influences of cor
iuption aud restore good government to
the country.
You call attention, editorially, to his
letter as being "curious and interesting" !"
| care but little for what may be said of
the consistency or Inconsistency of my
opinions upon matters of expendieucy.
and if no other purpose were to be serv-
ed but that of a personal vindication on
that score, would not trouble you with
this communication. 1t is a sufficient
answer to the call for information as to
the ground of my present attitude, to
refer to my expressed opinions upon the
character and conduct Of the Convention,
after they had become the subjects of OBJ
servation and reflection. There was a
time when felt willing to sink other
question of public policy in the greatest
one of elevating and purifying the tone
and spirit Of public life.
The success of such an effort depend
ed upon two things. First, in the NOM
ibation of man whose character lifted
him above the level, and beyond the
reach of all the degrading Influence of
party and personal politics; second, in
making that nomination as a free, spon-
taneous expression Of the best public
opinion, without the tricsery and bar
gaining and manipulation by which
nominating conventions were usually
made to subserve personal ends.
There was but one man, in my opinion,
that perfectly filed the character of the
required nominee-that was Charles
Francis Adams. There were some 9th
ers chat approximated TO it; among them
have no hesitation in ranking Horace
Greeley, so far as talents, high aims.
and personal purity of character are re-
quired. And had his nomination cor
responded to the conditions l have nam
ed, | would not now be under the actual
necessity of explaining change of views,
which your correspondent assumes.
But such was not the fact. The nom-
ination was the result, evidently, of bar
gain and intrigue, brought about by pro-
fessional politicians whose reputation is
fly. blown, perverting the whole purposes
and work of the Convention, and revers.
ing the original intent of its call. Look
ing at these influences which presided
at the nomination, as likely, in case of
success at the election, to survive and
nominate the actual Administration it
is difficult to avoid the conclusion that
Reuben Fenton and Frank Blair and
those of that ilk are the gentlemen to
whom we are asked to commit the cause
of political reform and of sound govern
meut.
[ have come, as yet. under no such
obligation as that If | have, am not
ashamed to say that repudiate it. Re-
spectfully.
STANLEY MATTHEW'S.
Cincinnati, May %, 1872.