The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-14
MIR. Kelly's Mistakes.

We reprint elsewhere an article from the
Sun in which our contemporary: reeiting
language used by Mr.. Kelly in Troy. asks.
s'Has John Kelly gone mad ?"
Mr.. Kelly has frequently shown himself
extremely impatient of the HERALD's advice,
and yet this Journal has been one Of his
best friends. 1t has always urged him to
moderation, and we now repeat this coun-
sci. 1t is u pity Mr.. Kelly cannot see that
vituperation of his opponents can only
iniure him, and that such language
as he used OF Troy exposes him to
resentment, and, what will be more
disagreeable to him, makes him ridiculous.
To talk about the 'orders" he has given is
absurd to descend to personal abuse of
Governor Robinson and of his family is the
sure way to arouse opposition. If Mr.
Kelly wishes to succeed in politics he must
learn to command his temper to give and
take blows good naturally to admit that
those who do not agree with him may yet
be Just, honest, and we'll intentioned. 1t
is mistake in him to treat a political
canvass as crusade, and to act as though
all who do not agree with him are neces-
sarily corrupt and animated by base motives.
One of the greatest mistakes of Mr.. Kelly
is that he permits his two papers (both
daily to abuse and insult in the most vio-
lent way everybody who is SO unfortunate
as to disagree with him OF criticise his acts,
and to praise without stint everything he
says or does. We are surprised that he
does not see the immodesty of this kind Of
personal journalism, and the injury it does
him in the esteem of the best part of the
public. Whether any public man is ben
Gifted by the support OF newspaper is IN
open question, but certainly such support,
to be valuable, must be given judicously
and with at least an air of independence.
When the public sees that politician
simply keeps two journals to sing his
praises and to Witty and insult his oppo-
nents and critics. it is apt presently to re-
gard him Us only what is called 'snews-
paper statesman" and the fame and in
have been shortlived.
We speak in kindness to Mr.. Kelly, be-
cause he is in some respects o valuable
man, though by no means as great or as
important a person as some of his fiatter-
ers tell him. We have no doubt he means
we'll, and we are ready to admit that he de-
siros to serve the city. But his judgment
il faulty, his temper is bad and his knowl-
edge of political principles is so moderate
that it would become him to speak very
modestly at all times. Of one thing he may
DO cortain--he can never succeed without
conciliating the good opinions and support
of the intelligent and thoughtful men of
his party; but his own incorporate lam
euaQe and the tone Of his two papers (both
daily give constant offence to this class
and repel them from him.
As to the course OF Mr.. Kelly's two papers
(both daily, we notice that when they
bring him into reproach by their injudi-
cious language they make loud claims that
they are not inspired by Mr.. Kelly. This
is perhaps true in the sense in which q
toady might ray that he was not inspired
by the object of his adulation. Still 1t is
probable that hint from Mr.. Kelly would
moderate their zeal; and he ought either to
| give them that hint or openly rapudiate