The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-05-06
The sneahership.

DISCUSSION In REGARD 10 luo SpcdhtIsDip
of the next House has been revived of late,
and it is. perhaps, appropriate that the Sen
tinel should say word.up the subject,
re-affirming its faith in the candidate in
whose favor it spoke last fall.
When it was definitely settled that the de-
nocracy had a majority in the next congress
he canvass of suitable candidates for the
speakership began. There were two men
put forward at once as representing the diff
fersnt clements of the party. Michael @. Kerr
and Fernando Wood. Both had been hon
ored with a nomination for the speakership.
when the nol,iaation conveyed nothing but
barren compliment, and it seemed emil
nently proper that one Of them should be
selected to receive the moro substantial
honor now in the gift of the party. In fact,
to pass them over might look like a sort OF
censure. Thereiorei If either one Of these men
was still renowned among bis peers for his
broad craftsmanship, his ceaseless political
industry, and the stainless purity of char
acter which be maintained in public and
private life, it would be fitting that he
should be put at the head of the first demo-
cratic congress that has assembled for a
quarter of a century. No man should be
chosen in preference to him save one who
was his superior In mental and moral
strength.
The Sentinel does not hesitate to declare
roundly its conviction that Fernando Wood
did not deserve the compliment which he re-
ceived, and that Michael G. Kerr did. The
former is a person of wealth and high social
position, who won his popularity in Wash
ington by means Of elegant and lavish hos
pitslity. The grace of his manner and the
refinements of his home gave him sort Of
distinction. He was generally the eloquent
advocate OF sound democratic principles in
congress, and being in a weak minority, his
political virtue was removed from tempta-
ton. Under such circumstances it was for
gotten that he had earned reputation as
mayor of New York which was second in
bad eminence only to that OF Tweed.
IL was not remembered that he was
the hero and representative of the worst ele-
ments OF the great metropolis. But
the country at large, beyond the sphere of
his personal inflaence, beyond the odor Of
his fine dinners and unfamiliar with the
flavor of his rich wines, had a long memory,
and when he was put forward 10y bis easy
tempered colleagues as a candidate fOi
speaker, the republican press rang with ex-
ultation and derision at the idea OF the
representative which the party OF
reform had chosen. The bold
est and best of the democratic
newspapers did not hesitate at the same
time to denounce the candidate of the party
and the men who had thrust him into the
foremost place 1t was at once made clear
that false step had been taken in paying
him even the empty honor of q compliment
tary vote. Is any argument needed TO
prove that to grant him the virtual
leadership would be ruinous7 1t would oe
to set up and acknowledge the captsinship
of fraud and chicanery over the hosts of
reform. But Mr.. Woods rival is q man If
different mould. He is one without the ad-
vantsges of wealth, and accustomed to win
respect by the sterner qualities OF manhood
He is one to whom the enduring faith and
trust of friendship cling, although social
popularity may recoil from him. He came
20 Washington for the performance Of
serious duties rather than for the
achievement of society triumphs. He YVES
one of these men who are aggressive in the
maintenance of their opinions and could
not therefore be all things to all men. He
had no desire to offend anybody by his
conduct and policy as a representative,
but he had resolved at the outset Of his pub
lie career that be would, in all cases, spare
no labor to acquire Intelligent convic-
tons and would then follow them at all
hazards, maintaining his self respect ana
being at one with hisowu conscience through
every vicissltude. To him democracy was
not hollow and worthless name. II meant
the condemnation of all sectional laws, all
legislation that bore unequslly upon differ
ent classes of the people, all favoritism in
public policy, all special bensfactions TO en-
rich a few out ofthe common property OF all.
Hence, he was the champion of the South
against her oppressors, the enemy OF all
subsidies and monopolies, the Representative
of sll national interests as against those OF
localities. He knew that it was easier and
cheaper for a public man to be sectional
than to be honestly national, but he never
| hesitsted even to offend home interests and
friends in order to do his daty to his whole
country and maintain the integrity of bis
con vicsions. He might have taken for mis-
motto the declaration of Edmund Burke.
when accused by bis constituents
Of disregarjing their VIII: Il
knew you set me in my place
along with others to be pillar of the state,
not a weathercock on top OF the edidce to
indicate the shiftings of every breeze OF
popular opinion" When his colleague
gave him the complimentary nomination
FOR the speakership they honored themselves
by their choice. It's significant fact that
he was preferred before Fernando Wood on
that occasion, and there is every reason &c
believe that the same wisdom will direct