New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-10-30
SPEECH OF SALEM Fl. WALES.

SPEECH OF SALEM Fl. WALES.
MIR. PRESIDENT AND FELLOwCITIZENs Two
days after my arrival from Europe. where had spent
five months in pursuit Of my health and strength which
had become somewhat impaired by close confinement 10
my duties in the Department of Public Parks, was
waited upon by Committee who informed me that
had been unanimously agreed upon as the nominee Of
the Republican County Convention for the responsible
office OF Mayor OF NewYOrk, and although could fully
appreciate the distinguished compliment intended to be
bestowed upon me, compliment greatly enhanced by
the fact that 1t from the representatives OF
great party which had saved the nation from ruin
and liberated from bondage 100000 Of human
beings-still begged the Committee not to
my name, as I did not desire to hold any
public Office my recent experience had fully
satisfied all ambition for political fame. Still, the
Committee insisted that should accept, assuring me
that by doing would strengthen the prospects OF the
reelection OF Gov Dix therefore waived my private
wishes in the matter and now appear before you an
unwilling candidate for public honors; and all that Is
to my election is to get sufficient
votes, and this only be accomplished by earnest
honest work. for We have now as we have always had'
O willy and INSCRIPTIONS enemy, longing for the hesh
pots OF Office, and eager to get at the sp0s or what
left o.! the spos OF this plundered and cted
city. Fellow citizens above all other things involved
in this canvass desire the reelection OF that sterling
old patriot, soldier. aud pure statesman, John DIX.
NV own election is q matter OF small consideration to
me IN comparison with the one far greater and more
absorbing. the State ticket aud whatever sacrifices
may be called upon to make OF personal feeling and
comfort, shall cheerfully make them. II can In any
promote the triumph OF our cause III the stare.
For period Of so years NswYork State has had no
Governor superior Gen. Dix and in consideration OF
the brilliant record which he has made during his GuDer
material career for two years past. cannot conceive
that the people OF this Slate, VINO not always slow
to appreciate viruous actions can permit ser
public service Of which even his own party can boast
Mr. Tlden has the reputation Of being very amabe,
respectable bachelor. who has wasted his sweetness
upon the desert arr except far as the mere boarding
OF wealth is concerned in which he Is said to have been
very successful have yet TO learn however, that the
charitable and benevolent institutions OF this city or
State, the industrious, STRUGGLING poor OF TINS CITY,
have ever felt refreshing influence OF his boarded
wealth Gen. Dix in the service OF his country
aud State nearly fifty years. and his record 10 as pure
and spoess as the upon the brow OF night, ana
~ made more brilliant by his conduct during the war,
mis- opponent was at ease 10 his parors
declining even join the call for the great meeting
held on for the purpose OF arousng our
people dangers that threatened the OF tne
nation Some may not think this good time 10 re-
awaken memories OF the past; but to me II seems
especially appropriate that we should not orget tae
nerve the muscles and thrill tho hearts OF our people
when danger ana destruction mpended over them. FOR
nv part would much rather have the puOic rocoru vi
john A. Dix than that Of Samuel j. Tden.
But we are here Tonight to rAtify the nominations
made s s tue ticket ta.s again to
friends great honor they have done me III asSo
ciating me with many worthy aud distinguished
gentlemen. whose names are placed upon the same
ticket. or myself cannot speak MY lie mas Deen,
to the public: uneyentful one nave oeeh coneus
during my residence among you. now covering period
Of nearly years. do duty as an humble ctizen
deeply concerned in all that affects your welfare anu
prosperity. 1 have watched the expanding growth OF
this city in commerce and IN inufaotnre Win ,use
pride, and, in common with you all. grevea WneI IN
those we had chosen to be onr rulers, forgetni OF
their solemn trusts laid their foul nands upon our
accumulated wealth. aud secretly plotted 10 uesuoy
the good name and fair fame OF our city Citlzens,
merchants, business men, and mechanics you raw h
yourselves to blame for the evil which mas p W
DONE and the disgrace which has fallen upon US lou
have been faithful to your political duties Dut you
have busted yourselves IN YOUR COMMISSIONS anu
shops while the spoilers at work roDoing you OF
the fruits Of your Toll and enterprise ana conrTss'
with a degree OF humiliation which cannot descriDe,
that it appears that you are still dead 10 the
dangers still environ your prosperity Inc
cal claptrap politicians who wolf-Cesars auu
Third Term"- have misled you from the true issues
which involved In this election IL Is true tnai you
nave Imprisoned and driven into exile some VINO nave
fattened upon your wealth; but are you mus "' S
secure against the repetition Of still greater evs rH
one feel alarmed at the present apathy WHICH Prosao
among our Ia payers aud wOrkngnen In view vi tne
possible advent OF Tammany Hall to power VIII not
placed at the head of the Tammauy ticket respect
I But who are his associates IN 'h s emU
70 re gain OF this city and It's aHalrsf benhu
this screen Of responsibility see coming AS surely
the OF November return them TO power no,ue Ua
and evil geniuses who Will brush away the
slender films that separate them from irau anu pe I
ton Do you hatter yourselves that party that ieas
for its support tus election upon one VINO recoe
uzed voaor OF public law can ~ tn ., cne
sraon OF the offices OF this city, DC 70 IRE
men gather grapes from thorns and hgs from thises
leave you this question In the h9ht Oh all
past experience since the world began. ,.,.- l.,
Most OF you are aware that occupied position IN
one the departments under Gnas W. e >, l n% h
we must all admit that some advantages nave resured
from the Rsf9rm a,,rs S tnnk in all fairness can
not denied that the condues Oh MI havseyea nas
Of a preai Refor%srs Of the cty
NJ ali classes aud chief magistrate OF this city had
Of the T 10 the people cserfny eoncede him good
intentions and personal lnteHfiy' In ths latter
,au,snt Of character he Is so far superior TO some
orc r %is most active traducers, now seeking public
nreferment, that should TANK tney weua , push
r shane unless all Of shame Is gone from them
,S 9 was unfortunate in this. that he be-
ineed 10 another geReraton aud all MS IDEAS OF ma
ny has not seen the Harlem River but In
than 20 years; and this be So Oh course no cann0.
clearly knowledge Of the wants ana OF
tins rcial center OF the world lie was aiso uil
In selecting his chief advisers, but be said
70 bin credit also has made many good appoint
ments am inclined TO the opinion that ne had not
a sort of meddlng Cesarsm" In our municipality, he
woud have better satisfied the people VINO elected NM
This and OF Often nsoent. and the fair name and
fame of city have suffered 6y reason ., ~ rasru
irSs the Oce which though, !. due 70 the pub;
lie that It should know something OF TINS "c@arism
Seen instr1menta in administering pgpishment
assure yeu felowcitizens. that u was wen deserved.
say 10 you In oil frankness that from the time OF my
ntry into the Department of Public Parks until the
day lett it We were kept In condition OF discomfort
ocal whose soicitude for public interest seems to me
TO DO measured w purely sehsn ouger enanSe
ana sSstem based upon what Shakespeare calls
nsoence of Office which reduces all our city credi
tors practically TO the condition OF rogues ana Thieves
ants uness they happen be In charge or approved
friends and personal yorte woald tSsver resst
III a. u rraat ac,e city ike this there scores OF
ma and honest nuapciers VINO would protect tho city
and at the same time c0nduct themselves Without III
Darng my brief visit to Europe found widespread
disrrust OF the integrity and staoss o, ou, ~,
We would see its commerce and industry revive: and
&c, nr .oyernment I'm the hands Of able, honest, and
poIite ctizens Our tax payers want relief our work
ngmen want relief; but they VIII LOOK Ior ~ III yarn