The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-07-19
on THE NEW YORK RING.

being extensively copied by the Repub-
lican press thoroughly refuted in apamph'
let published in 1873, entitled: "The
New York City Ring; its Origin, Ma
turity, and Fall, discussed in q Reply to
the New York Times, by 5. j. TILDEN."
From this pamphlet-now, we believe
out of print, and which ought to be I'M
medistely reproduced and circulated
among the peopla-we give some extracts
that show not only the early and active
part taken by Gov. TILDEN in the war
against the thieves, but also the character
of the man whom the Democratic party
has crowned with its highest honor:
aft one were to attempt to correct
every ordinary error concerning himself
which appears in print, the occasions OF
controversy would be inconveniently ire
quent for the avocations OF busy life. IL
is, therefore, only in very exceptional
case that should depart from my habit
Of leaving such errors to answer them
selves; or to be refuted by my acts, or by
the general tenor of my lite. But arti-
Giles in the Times for several weeks past
so falsify the history of the events they
discuss, by perverting some facts and sup
pressing others, that it Is right, and per-
haps duty, TO vindicate the truth.
The Ring became completely organized
bn let Of
when Mr. A. Oakley Hall became mayor.
Mr., Connolly was comptroller two years
earlier. Its duration was through 1869,
1870 and 1871, until its overthrow in
the election OF November, when it lost
most OF the senators and assemblymen
from this city, and was shaken in its hold
on the legislative power of the state.
Even before the ring came into or
gsnized existence, the antagonism be-
tween those who afterward became Its
most leading members and myself was
sharply defined and public. 1t origina-
ted in no motive ola personal nature on
my part; but in the incompatibility OF
their and my ideas oil public duty.
distrusted them. They knew that they
could not deceive or seduce me into any
deviation from my principles of action.
AS early as 1868 some of them became
deeply embittered because, being sum-
moned by Gov. Seymour to censulta-
ton about the Broadway railroad bill, |
advised him to veto it. Some years at
forwards l accepted the lead OF the DEM
ocratc state organization. did SO with
extreme reluctance, and only alter hav-
ing in vain tried to place it in hands in
which 1 could have confidence. l had
seen the fearful decay of civic morals in
cident to the huctuating values OF paper
money and civil war. l had heard and
believed that the influence of the Repub.
lican party organization had been habitu.
ally sold in the Hobbies sometimes 10 the
guise of counsel fees, and sometimes with
out any afiectation of decency. l had
left the assembly and constitutional con-
yention in 1876, when corruption, IN the
legislative bodies OF this state, was totally
unknown, and now was convinced that
it had become almost universal. l deslr-
ed to save from degradation the great
party whose principles and traditions
were mine by inheritance and conviction;
and to make it an instrument OF reac-
ton in the community which alone could
save free government Holding YEARLY
the end of rope because feared where
it might 60 if I dropped it, l kept the
state organization in absolute independ.
ence. | never took favor OF any sort
of from these men, or from any man l
distrusted. l had not much power in the
legislature on questions which interested
private eupidity; but in state conven,
lion, where the best men in society and
business would 60, because it was but for
a day or two, those with whom ! acted
cenerslly had the majority. l
had no more knowledge or grounds OF sus-
picion of the frauds Of 1869, as they were
discovered three years afterwards, than
the Times or the general public. But l
had no faith in the men who became
known rs the Ring, and they feared me.
| had no personal luminosity; but | never
concilisted them, and l never turned
from what thought was right to AVOID
a collision. The first impulse OF their
growing ambition and increased power
was to get rid of me and possess them
selves Of the Democratic state organiza-
tion. Their intrigue for the purpose
WAS conceived and agreed upon in the
wirter of 1869, at Albany. l knew it,
but | did nothing till August. Then
accepted the issue; and they were de-
te,ted by seven-elghths OF the conven-
ton. The country papers OF the kepno-
licsn party were full OF the SUBJECT. Inc
files of the Times show that the contest
attracted public attention. That these
men were not in accord was known
wherever in the United States there was
the least information on such subjects.
sss On the 9th OF April,
1870 the day after the passage
OF the act granting New York city 10
the Ring the Times in An article headed
Municipal Reform hailed this measure
as a reform; derided the Uuion League
cmb and Mr.. Greeley with their entire
lack of influence in that so pronounced
AN expression against the charter mad
mot been needed By at least one Rep"bi'-
can senator On the sth the same paper
declared that Senator Tweed was IN q
fair way to distinguish himself Is re-
tormer,; and that he had put the people
If Manhattan island under great ooliga-
t;ons 10 him. On the 18th it ieered the
Union League club. Mr.. Greeley and
Mr. Tilden. and said that the Kepubii'
cans Were rather useiui 70
the authors Of the new ena't-
ter in the recent contest; and that 'ou'