Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-06-11
THE LATE JOHN KELLY.
Comments of the Press on His Char
acter and Services.

ohN htbAh vi tht iiOh' 'ohh hASiiJ
the following extracts are made:
New York HerdId: awhile the
HcrdM always recognized and ac-
KnOwledged certain traits Of char
acter in Mr.. Kelly which might'have
commanded its admiration if they
had been otherwise employed, it
antagonized him as a boss, just as
it would have antagonized any 9th
er man in his place. He was a
strong man, capable of great USE
fitness. We feel genuine sorrow
that such strength was not always
put to uses which deserve applause.
We trust that the democrats OF
New York, or any considerable
faction of them, have submitted
themselves for the last time to that
kind of irresponsible autocracy
which Mr.. Kelly possessed so long
and welded so sturdily."
New York SIM sin qualities of
character Mr.. Kelly was a man of
breadth, truth and faithiuIness.-
Strong in his attachments and
strong in his resentments, his &C.
tons were yet controlled by a high
sense of patriotic duty and by a
constant desire to promote the pub
lie veal. Fertile in all the re-
sources of "A politician, he was yet
emphatically an honest man. I'm
perious in will, always command
ing and always receiving obedience
from the forces that followed his
banner, there was no duplicity and
no cOwardice in his composition
He was a good man, n good citizen,
a good husband, a tender father,
and, above all, faithful friend
Honor TO the memory of John Kel-
ly. The land that possesses many
such SONS as he is fortunate in
deed.n
New York Times q: "JOhn Kelly
was an honest and incorruptible
man but he was so little careful
about the company he kept that he
was constantly in the most intimate
and confidential relations with men
of VIGOROUSLY dishonest and cor.
rupt lives, appointing them as his
agents, accepting without protest
their valuable assistance in carry
ing out his plans, and joining with.
out repugnance in their efforts to
accomplish their own selfish and
often dangerous designs. Shun.
niDg all enticements to evil himself
he inflicted upon the suffering PEG.
pie of this city plague of Office
holders who cheerfully and eagerly,
and as matter of business fell be.
fore every temptation to plumber
and betray."
New York W0rH "John Kelly
was not a successful political lead.
er. lie was strictly honest and
earnestly DESTROYS of giving the
people good government. But for
these reasons he was impatient OF
interference with his wishes, intOl.
Grant of opposition, adverse to adj
vice and bent upon having his own
way. Thus he lacked one essential
element of success-cOncilation.- -
In private life John Kelly was the
reverse of what he was in political
life. His gentleness of disposition
was remarkable. lie was kind, in
dulgent, easily influenced and cOur.
teOus and generous 70 all who ap.
preached him. lie was peculiarly
charming in conversation, and had
fund OF quiet humor which made
him a most agreeable and enter
tanning companion"
Philadelphia NORTH AmericaR !:
sill health had for some time past
compelled Mr.. Kelly's retirement
from active life, and even had he
retained his physical vigor, his
power as a political leader was
hOpelessly broken when Grover
Cleveland became the presidential
nominee of the democratic party,
despite his opposition. Thus his
decease leaves no vacant place in
public affairs. His career was al =
ready definitely closed before it Oc-
cured. And this is Mr.. Cleve-
lands wedding day! There is much
that is suggestive i'll this juxtapo-
sitiOn of circumstances"
Philadelphia Times d: "John Kel.
~ was much moderated in general.
He had all the elements of a great
leader, and, rising from the hum
blest origin, he might have won
distinction as statesman had he
chosen such line. He was person
ally as honest man as ever lived,
and faithful to his friends. He
never fOrgave interference with his
wishes in the control of his orgaDi-
cation, and the distinction which
he achieved before the country at
large was mainly on account of his
vigorous fights against those who
had at one time or another been in
his way. Kelly's methods of fight.
ing made him feared. He ruled
Tammany for ten years with no one
TO question him, and he welded
that compact and often powerful
in state and national |
to the fullest extent
The organization has felt his loss
Tor a year. Such q leader is not |
often found"
Philadelphia Press "Mr. Kelly
was man of rugged personal hon.
,sty. lie had none of the sOrdid
greed and INSCRIPTIONS rapacity
If the Tweed gang. lie was ag
yressiye, dictatOrial and unyield-
ng, but it was not for selfish ends.
BY nature he was a fighter, and his
iaring, unquailing spirit was shown
II the persistence of his hopeless
)attle against Tilden, in the cour-
lge with which he carried through
lis independent candidacy in 10
md in his antagonism to the New
fork machine in 'S4. So long as
10 held Tammany he held it with
he grip Of an absolute master. He
vas a New York city politician with
city politicians narrow concep-
ions, but his sturdy personal in
egrity redeemed great deal"
Horrible Fate.
CHICAGO, June Eight per