The New York herald., 1879-09-15
SENATOR THURMAN.
An Unsuccessful Effort TO Learn His
"ViewS" on Public Matters.
POLITICAL COWARDICE.
The Present Not a Time for
Candid Expression.


The democrats of Ohio have bold and uncom-
promising standard bearer In their candidate FOR
Governor. General Ewing Whatever may be
thought of his opinions. he has the courage OF
thom. He does not hesitate to announce them and
defend them everywhere. He Is on the stump in
earnest is travelling through tho State from east to
west north and south. and delivering speeches. not
only in halls and meeting houses. but in the open
air. He Is soldier in politics he was in the field,
and every man knows just whore to find him. The
other day he did not hesitate strike back at Secre
taries Sherman and Schurz in way which
proved his valor. however much his
wisdom may be called in question for it.
have not yet explored the mining and farming dis
tricts of Ohio. cannot say what grounds General
Ewing has for these positive assertions Farmers
members OF the Legislature and land owners from
several localities assure me that the General Is
wrong and that the State is feeling through all its
industries healthy impetus and confidence since
resumption.
wanted especially to get the views this and
other subjects of Senator Thurman. the most con-
spcuous democratic citizen of the State 1t the
right time for the Senator to express himself, and
although had been warned that he political
coward. did not expect to find that assertion ver
fed In Columbus where he lives wrote note to
the Senator. with whom had slight previous
quain tance. asking for an interview for the HERALD.
This was his answer:-
COLUMBUS. August %. 1879.
DEAR SIR-I regret to say that my engagements
such that it will not be possible for me to see
You this week. Iam engaged ut a work that occu-
pies me day and night and that must be completed
by Monday night. 1t will take every moment OF my
time until then to complete it. Should you be pass
ing through Columbus any day next week will be
-pD' : ~ '0 ~ a. 4. G. THURMAN.
AN UNSUCCESSFUL ERRAND.
With this assurance went to Cincinnati. and
burned to Columbus last Saturday, in time to hear
Senator Thurman read his speech in the evening to
not very crowded audience. On Saturday after
noon the Senator. in response to another note, ap-
pointed meeting ut his Office day (Sun day.. at
eleven O'Clock. went. expecting the reward in tho
form Of his views on political affairs, tor which I
had made special railroad journey. Disappoint-
ment awaited me. Tho Senator. whom met on the
sidewalk. said he from the tolls Of the
previous night, and in other ways denoted his re-
luctance to be "interviewed." His manner rather
than the matter of his explanation indicated that he
had lost or suspended any willingness to give his
views of political affairs. That he might have no
certain grounds which reluctant poll
tcians wont to assume. suggested an Office
desk and pencil to insure accuracy
"No." said the Senator, 'ret's walk down street,
We walked down street accordingly.
"what could do for you anyway, IL We were to
have an interview" said he.
"You could answer number Of pertinent ques-
tons concerning the politics OF this State concern
ing candidates. concerning politics and political
events throughout the Union"
"Waal, now," said Senator Thurman, II couldn't
tell anything about Ohio which you couldn't set
from other sources. aud really don't think could
At this moment tho Senator was accosted at a
street crossing by friendly neghbor. who asked
him his opinion as to how Ohio would 60 He
answered, turning twinkling eye in my direction.
."Go? Why. think it viii go safe. have great
hopes to DO sure Ohio is peculiar State. You can't
take bond of fae here before any election, but
have great confidence that we shall win."
As We passed on ! remarked to the senstor:-"It
seems to me that there was an opinion"
East?"
Having sketched the preparations for the Demo-
cratic Convention ut Syracuse I said d:-'Senator
Thurman, happened to meet in Cleveland the other
day a political contemporary OF yours. General Gar
field, who was conspicuous for cancor and little
less remarkable for reicence than yourself. Gem
eral Garfield made an appointment with me rs the
printed i'll that paper-and kept his promise
"Ah! What did Garfield say?''
went on to tell him good deal Of what General
Garfield said in tho conversation printed in tie
HERALD and extensively reprinted In other
papers. To one statement mado by General Garfield
Mr. Thurman polite enough to respond that
General Garfield ought to be more accurate in his
use OF facts.'
When it came to the Presidential question, and
when recited Garheli's review Of the chances
both sides. my venerable companion brightened ur
,istened with an attentive
PRESIDENTIAL CONTINGENCIES.
The following remark OF General Garfield was
quoted to him as neiry US could recollect it,
II tnicanng tho attompt OF democrats revive the
Issue of federal State jurisdction adroit
to ch .ngc tho cry fraud IL failed and
democratic nomination revers to Tilden by tho
force OF incxorabe logic.
well" said Senator Thurman, "you will roadilv
understand that this is matter about which could
say nothing at the present time"
"But do understand YOU to mean that you have
absolutely no views TO express on those political
matters which 20 outside OF formal speech making,
and which the people OF the whole country are most
interested IMP?
ITO tell you tho truth" said the Senator as he
haed the iron fence opposite the state House.
81 did think might. But have come to the
conclusion that it is not the time say anything
outside OF my speeches. Some time hereafter may
be ready to talk to you and say considerable"
Senator Thurman had read the night before
long but not very spirited address to his arst
audience OF the campaign. In this address he had
tried to do several things:-tirst. to defend the
action of the democratic majority the extra ses-
sion of Congress. anl encourage democrats through
out the nation to pursue the course then marked
out: second. to put the democratic cause In Ohio
foremost rs just cause. worthy OF the support OF
Ohio best citizens; third, to make 1t apparent
that there real schisia between the hard
money democrats aud the soft money democrats of
the State. To show the latter condition MIR. Thur
min had asserted at tho conclusion OF his speech
that the popular reports ciirrcut aJout difference
between himself aad General Ewing had no founda-
tioh One looks III vain in the speech for an express
sion OF direct adherence to Ewings financial views,
finding instead broad ami brotheriy assertion that
Ewing is the regular democratic nominee. and so
deserves the support OF every democratic voter.
Thurman, limiting himself to this assertion, keeps
himself unassaaulo from foes within or without
the party. Unlike any other conspicuous public
man have me,--cspccially unlike Bayard or dozen
other mcnbcrs o! his own party who might DO
namet-tnd unlike almost any OF the foremost re-
publicans excepting Conkling) who are now before
the country is Presidential candidates, senator
Thurman halts after daancc. la say Ing what he
thinks. fear the Presidential fever is too strong
for him,
Senator Thurman is man of great ability and of
great success. In the course of the foregoing walk
ami conversation with him he br.eny she'ched tho
story OF his political career. The recital was sug-
gcsted by what General Grant had said about his
never accepting any public position unless II was
tendered 10 HIM without his own request: ihuf.
mans election to Congress- his election as Judge or
''F supreme Court and his subsequent election and
sslecton as senator. were all. as he cxp ined un-
. -ncited. From the time he emerged from privacy
ne .1inod the confidence OF his fellow citizens; he
has vindicated II by long, arduous aud spotlcss
public career, Rvin2 to his uuues his who attcn-
tion. dcpriving himself OF tho Income which might
have accrued from tho practice o law between