National Republican., 1877-09-21
JOHN HORRISSEY.

importance OF the revelations which TWEED
is now making as TO the methods by which
the corrupt ring which he organized robbed
the public. A famous English author gained
no little fame by work entitled Murder
Considered rs One of the Fine Arts If he
had lived long enough TO have heard the
wondrpus story of TwEED's wholesale steal
ing he would doubtless have favored the
world with kindred treatise on robbery.
History, even when exposing and repro
batting the great crimes Of humanity, neces-
sarily gives them q certain dignity which
wins for them the same kind of admiration
which In awarded to actors upon the stage
who ably personatc wicked characters. II
h, therefore, quite important that the press
should fearlessly dwell upon the darkest
features of all infamous public crimes, and
paace the seal of its condemnation upon un-
worthy men. no matter how successful So
ever they may have been in attaining high
places by dishonest means.
TwEED's position as one of the most in
Amous Of mankind is irrevocably fixed.
The lessons of his career will hereafter form
On important chapter of political history
which Il will be necessary for all TO study
who wish to become familiar with the pecu-
liar perils to which popular governments are
exposed. Although TWEED will he the
leading character in that chapter, he will
not be without conspicuous companions in
his infamv. Chief among these will be
JOHN MoRRIssEY, whose prominence in
American politics for the last fifteen years
has been national disgrace.
The discredit which MoRRIssEy has
brought upon the country is exceedingly
humiliating in view Of his scandalous hog-
nphy, as sketched by TWEED. These
charges, although recalled to public atten-
tion by such u disreputable person, are but
ACTS Of undisputed history. 1t is matter
Of record that MoRRISsEY was indicted in
Troy in December, lsIs, for assault with in
tent to kill; indicted for burglary and as
sault and battery in April, 1s49; sentenced
TO Jail for sixty days; indicted for burglary
In June of the same year convicted of
breach of the peace in Albany and SEN
fenced to pay fine of $50 and serve term
In the Albany penitentiary at hard labor in
csse Of non-paymcnt, July Is, 1851, and
served nine months in the penitentiary,
serving out this term; in 1857 he was in
dicted in New York for assaulting T. II.
BuLNER with dangerous weapon with in
tent to kill him he was also indicted for
felonious assault on W. P. CONWAY with
intent to kill, and another upon J. F. DAG
GET. In addition TO having thus thrice
attempted TO place the brand of murderer
upon his forehead, he has been n professional
prize-fghter, gamblers a proprietor of the
lowest dcns in New York, the resort of
thieves and men of the basest character.
Last, but not least, he has repeatedly assailed
the liberties OF the people by corrupting the
ballot. box by means of his organized bands
ef rcpeaters.
1t is enough to bring a blush of shame to
the cheeks Of every true American to re-
member, in view Of the above facts, that
MoRRIssEY has occupied seat in the
American Congress, that he has been u
Senator of the State of New York, and that
he has been honored by the companionship
Of statesmen, and of persons who would be
displeased not to he called gentlemen. The
Act that JOHN MoRRIssEY was, during the
last Presidential campaign, the trusted
friend and associate of SAMUEL j. TILDEN
= powerful proof of how demoralized the
moral sentiment of our public men has be-
come. While Mr. TILDEN was thus asso-
ciating with MoRRlssEY, he not only knew
how infamous his past history had been,
but he knew that he was even then every
day violating the law as gambler.
We do not refer to the conspicuous ex-
ample of Mr.. TILDEN in condOning crime
for any partisan purposes, and we are ready
leaders have been too often guilty of giving
eountenance TO bad men because they pos
sessed political influence with the most de-
praved and dangerous classes of society.
The subject is one about which there is
great necessity for plain talk Wicked men
like MoRRrssEY hold entirely too much
power That power has been acquired by
the weak subservicncy of our political
leaders. Their conduct deserves the repro
baton of all who wish well to the Republic
for the practice of cTinging to men con
spicuous for their lawlessness has given vice
dangerous influence in public affairs.
1t is very well, therefore, that advantage
should be taken OF the present lull in party
feeling to animudycrt in the severesi
terms upon the conduct of our public men
who are in the habit of giving countenanC,
TO men of infamous characters because they
happen to possess political influence
There are many indications that the public
conscience is becoming aroused upon thi,
subject. People are beginning TO think il
II of more consequence to be right than tC
attain party success hv means which can
not he rcconciIed with the principles of Q
sound code Of morality.
Even MORRISsEY himself feels N som,
extent, the odium to which his past careeI
Justly exposes him. Even his apology
however, shows how sadly his moral eduCa
ton has been neglected. His long associa
ton with rOGurs has greatly hluntcd hi
sense ol right and wrong He plea Is you'll
and ineXpcrirnCc ~ an excuse for hi
crimes Such excuses come with poo
grace from man who still continues as
gambler 10 violate one Of the most i'm
pCrtant criminal laws Of the land. HI
seems TO think that because he does not still
try TO murder men he has the right to rol
them ut the gambling table with impunity
The iict that 80 bold aud reckless Il villain
rs MoRRIssEY has been driven to apologz,
for his crimes is a hopeful sign that virtu,
IL gaining increased influence in public
affairs, and that healthful reaction is 90
ing on against that decentralization whicl
lately threatened the stability of our fire.
institutions Happily it is not too late t
ro-establish the supremacy of the poli,ica
naXims by which the founders of the natiol
were guided the chief one Of which taugh
that the preservation of sound publ
morality is essential TO the perpetuity Of
republican form of government