St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-08
HE WAS PURE lN POLITICS.

An Address by Hon. C. ID. O'Brien
in Honor OF the Late Samuel J. Eli.
den--A Fitting Tribute.
The meeting of the Jtasca club last even
ng, to do honor to the late Samuel j. Til
len, was not very largely attended, owing
70 some mistake in sending out notices. In
the absence of the president, Judge A. S.
Hall called the meeting to order. In doing
10 he explained that Judge Flandreau had
been called out of the city, and that w. P.
Murray had been obliged to attend an i'm
portant committee meeting. He read a
letter of regret from Judge Brisbin, written
at the last moment after he had spent some
time in preparation. Mr.. Brisbin regretted
exceedingly his enforced absence, and paid
tribute to the memory of Mr.. Tilden,
whom he placed next to Jefferson in states
manship. After reading Mr.. BriSbin'S
letter, the chair introduced Hon. c. d.
0'Brien, who spoke at some length.
MIR. o'BRIEN'S ADDRESS.
The death of a good man, he said, works
The law of Providence in great way for the
wing, in quickening recollections OF good
leeds and leading them on to better things.
Ne can perpetuate his memory in no better
way than in calling ourselves to account
The stock words of regret are easy to say.
But when we consider the life By which he
made himself beautiful before God and man
We must understand the life well. Through
the fidelity which every citizen ewes to the
republic, [ accept the invitation to speak in
memory of Mr.. Tilden. His pre-eminent
characteristic was his fidelity to the princi-
,les of the republic. and his proudest title
vas citizen of it. Although learned in one
Of the greatest professions, he is known
rs statesman. He was honest in
politics, both to his friends and his
Bnemies. He understood, beyond all other
men or his time, this difference between a
monarchy and a republic, that in the former
he officers were rulers of the people, and in
he latter the peoples servants. His entire
ife was an illustration of this, and when he
approached the ballot box with barred head
or the sanctity of the events he especially
Ihowed it. 1t is fashionable to rail at the &C.
urrences of every day life. When the duty
If the citizen seems to be acquiring to him.
jelf profit. the lesson of Mr. Tildens life is
especially appropriate. Here was a man
lifted by his former career to carry out every
honorable ambition of life, fitted by his life
carry out the duties of the president of the
United States. The Democracy of the country
NEW that their quarrel was just and q word
rom him would have settled whether another
.ivil war should devastate the country. Did
lie evoke it? He invoked the
PEACE OF Tue COUNTRY
md from his lips came no word except acoui
iscence. To the day of his death came nc
word against those who deprived him of the
presidency. Such patriotism entities him tc
De placed among the heroes of fables made
10 because superior to other men. But his
ife will be in vain if the lesson Of it is not
needed. 1t has sometimes seemed to me thai
there should be a religion of politics. and il
my people can elevate the ballot-box to this
Janctity it is the Americans. 1t is a matter
of common reproach that the foreigner arriy
ing on our shores is taught to cast his vote al
marketable commodity. This teaching il
lone by ourselves, by us who know better
Dy US who have had the benefit of the Ameri
can franchise and who wish to exercise it
What is the reason that q man who canno
exist without integrity of business, can be s
liar and a thief in politics? 1t is coming upor
US that man in this country must bt
Just as honest in politics as in business
am not spreacher or a reformer
put rejecting on these things
have resolved that SO long q.
am an American citizen l will never cas-
my ballot for a man whose integrity is no
pure. Applause. This duty becomes al
Affirmative one, and you, gentlemen, have
greater power by forming this resolution to
reform the community in which you liv,
than thousand stump speakers. l do no
pretend to be teacher, but the proper time
TO speak of these things is when we com
memorate the life of a man who was pre-
eminent Tor purity in politics. This is
IMPORTANT IN MINNESOTA
where within few months will occur tn,
first general election of state and county Off
GERS ever held. IF you were to select al
Office boy you would want satisfaction tina