New-York tribune., 1874-12-01


was honest. energetic, and public spirited
He wished only good to his fellow.men and to
the city which three times paid him its highest
honors. He wanted to gain ends which
seemed to him just by honorable means. He
was frank open, and prompt, incapable of de-
ceit or treason. He had his full share OF
enemies and q multitude of devoted friends.
The enemies were those who knew him
little; the friends were those who had known
him from boyhOod. The former will readily
forgive him, and the latter will never cease
to mourn him.
As to his recent administration, it would be
idle, even in this moment of sincere regret for
his loss, to attempt to deceive ourselves or
others. 1t was thoroughly honest and upright,
and it was no less thoroughly wrong and un-
fortunate. He was placed in office at time
which would have taxed severely the best eff
forts of younger and broader man. His
sterling honesty was the only quality to which
his supporters called the public attention, and
in the enthusiasm of the day, when the city
had hardly recovered from the delighted sur
prise with which it had seen the downfall of
Tweed, mere honesty and the Republican vote
were enough to carry him in, over candl-
date like Mr. Lawrence, who was equally
honest and far more capable. He entered
upon the duties of Mayor, one of the most
unfit men who could have been found for the
purpose in the City of New-YOrk. If he had
been ignorant it would have been far better
As it was, his knowledge was out of date, but
all the more cherished for that reason. His
mind was full of prejudces that he cung to
,rincipIna IIjl honesty
was a stumbling block, for he resisted new
ideas as if they were crimes; and conscious OF
rcctitude himself he suspected the integrity OF
all who differed from him. These defects OF
his own idiosyncracy were heightened by the
anomalous circumstances by which he was
surrounded. He was elected by the votes OF
citizens of both parties intent upon reform.
He therefore felt himself free from partisan
dictation. But unfortunately he knew OF no
way in which to show his independence OF ali
parties, except by trying to serve BOTH His
first important official act was seen to be fatal.
He formed the most weighty administrative
commission in the city government OF notori-
GUS politicians, and imagined he was inSunng
Their integrity by taking them from hostile
camps. In his anxiety to guard against Rings,
he caused them to spring up wherever he put
his hands.
OF course it soon became evident that he
could not carry on bipartisan admihlstra-
ton through partisan means. But he could
devise no other way. What had been called
in former days his firmncss of character pre-
vented him from ever admitting an error or
retracng a false step. When his plans became
impractcable he relied upon mere caprice,
taking counsel only from his personal friend
ships and antipatcs. He aicnated both pollt-
ical organizations, and did not show sufficient
sagacity or teachablencsS 10 draw around him
the support of the best ctizens, VINO could
have made him equally independent OF Tam
many Hall and the Custom-house. He was
not merely persistent; his Obstinacy was some
times supplemented by cunning decidedly
lacking in dignity. His reaDpointment OF his
convicted Commissioners to each others Va
cancies, his protests against the passage OF
laws of which he instantly took advantage.
are specimens Of this. lie grew at last so
angry at the public opinion which had become
hostile to him, chat he seemed to take pleas
ure in thwarting and defying 1T. lie had
been recently so much in the habit OF oppos-
ing the prevailing sentiment, that even in the
kindly concern with which every one yester-
day received the news of his death there
were many who could hardly refrain from
passing smile, not far removed from tear,
when they read that the sturdy old man in
the last hour Of his life had "walked two
" miles in the face of a strong wind"
Now that he is gone, the short and thought
less popularity of two years ago will revive
again. The honest man, the good citizen, the
honorable merchant will be remembered and
deplored. His civic administration will be
little recalled, except by those who take pleas
ure in reviviDg the recOlleCtiOns of his humor-
ous pngnacity and his frank antipathies. 1t
will be said in his favor, and with justice also,
that his quarrels never sprang from any scrdld
scramble for spoils, nor were inspired 10y any
motives he was not always willing to avow. lie
would neither steal himself nor permit Others
to steal when be could prevent it. lie would
no sooner waste or divert into private
channels the public property than his own.
But while we join heartily in these eulOgies,
we ought not to forget that integrity, though
the most indispensable of qualities, is not
enough for a public man, and that man OF
blameless life may do great harm to COM
munity which he governs if he lacks prac-
tical knowledge of laws and of men. That
Mayor Iavemcycr failed in just this point
is no stain on his name. 1t does not prevent
us from honOrng his useful life among us for
nearly three quarters of century. But 1t
would be deeply to be regretted if 1t taught no
lesson to those who nominated and elected
him Mayor of New-YOrk.
LOST OPPORTUNITIES.
The Mayors death illustrates afresh the pc
onlinr ill-lnck which has attended all the