New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-02
ADDRESS OF A. E. ORR.


Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN, MERCHANTS
OF NEw.YoRK: You do well to come here TO lend the
weight Of your presence and Influence to the con-
alteration Of tho most important indeed may say the
most vital question that has affected the commercial
Interests Of this great metropolis, and OF the Empire
State for many years.
We are called together for no Idle purpose or asked to
speak with an uncertain sound but fearlessly and
earnestly to defend rights Of citizenship TO denounce
fraud wickedness in high places and to indorse the
action uphold the purpose of the Governor of this
State who courageOusy seized with ungloved hands
our worse enemy by the throat.
Sir tho merchants Of NewYork have regarded with
special favor every Of transit terminating In this
city. We view them principal elements OF pros
pery usefulness and the more they are in number
the better we are pleased For this reason we appre
cate the railroads. Welcome the steamships and the
sailing vessels irrespective OF nationality, and we truly
love the canals. When the transcendent genius Of
Dewitt Clinton thought out for NewYOrk the plan Of
the Erie Canal he not on ly TO her citizens mer
camille brhrght but ct once made their city the com
nercial metropolis of the United states-two magnln
cent boons Of which justly proud aud ought TO
guard with jealous care 1t is TO the con-
quot and general management Of these
canals that Gov. Tilden his recent
message directs the attention Of the Legislature. He
advocates the reduction Of tolls as general good and
State" he CALI them) who navigate it's waters, pro
yided IL he done consistently with the financial
obligations OF the State, He denOunces in unmeasured
terms OF censure and condemnation the frauds and
abuses that have been perpetaed under the contract
system, and asks for the summary punishment OF all
those proved recreaDt 10 tneir trust Such is
the substance OF the message that has at once made It's
author the Of the state irrespective Of
party considerations, and SNAKES 10 us very center
power do evil which heretofore, in the assumption OF
Its pride, judged itself invulnerahle.
Sir, We all believe that the most noble attributes OF
manhood unhinchnG truthfuness and integrity
OF purpose. All others pale before them, accomplish
Dens without them although they may dazzle for the
and SewSsws. which when they become furnished by
age. away by constant friction to continue
the deceit exposes the poverty OF the character and
renders it liable TO condemnation and contempt 1t Is
because believe that samuel j. Tden possesses to
an eminen; degree these nOble qualities that we ask
you to give hun unqualified Endorsement, and to
rally, as nni to MS side Tor the suppression OF a
most intOcTant aud destructive ORGANIZATION that has
ever been permitted to exist within the connnes OF our
Senators, Judges, AssemDlymen, aud know not what
besides for the mere furtheranee OF it's own unrghteous
ends-a power wslch acts in secret; Intelligent ener-
sStdo' rdfchY.1rG "Fcsnd" is wicked hand has
bee laid OF the canals FOR years and its rapacity
for gain vel III sapDed to the very foundations
the magnificent waterways of commerce throughout
the State.
Such is the Canal Ring. Sir. said power that
makes ana unmakes Governors yet it is just this
power that GOV. Tden stands up against and dehes
diamond sbiDcs its brightest when placed in dark set
ting and this great and good man against
the dark BACKGROUND OF tho Canal Ring Shall 1t unmake
him. ana We stand IDLY by2 Mol Much rather shall we
not hold mp his hands ald when he strikes shall we not
give power to blow, earnestly unitedly. heartily,
iii this Ring is broken into fragments aud It's pieces
ground to pONderi Can Gov. 1lden accomplish thisf
Ianswer yes Already has he given evidence Of energy.
ability, and untirng perseverance in tue detection OF
fraud and Just surely he assisted to, brug to jus
tce ana 10 cOnyictsce the moving spirit of the band
of thieves who years fatened and dsgraced our
csys government surely will re overthrow the enc
mics OF the State, when upheld and sustained by the
voice OF tho people, honest Legislature and his own
good conscience.
.sir an Alwise Providence has ordained that the
future must hidden behind impenetrable vail and
vet the men composing this Ring have presumed TO
boast that they will defeat at the polls hereafter every
man daies oppose their william arrogant idle
boast. VIII you permit the nat OF political Ire and
permitted Us 10 raise the Of the curtain and look
with the eve or faith the DeyODd merit truth
fulness aud honesty enthrOned by grateful people,
aud wickedness corruption, and fraud lying dead at
the base.