New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-27
THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF NJ. 7. oCoNNof'
BY Mary Dolne O'Connor' D Vo'' PIP DOL ne"
York: Dempsey Carroll

THE LIFE AND LETTERS OF NJ. p. OCONNOR,
By Mary Dolne OConnor, vo.. pp. boil New
York Dempsey Carroll
Michael p O'Connor was a Southern pohuciah'
who like Alexander II. Stephens, was opposed 10
the war but accepted it among the Things iheV'aoe
and allied himself with the dominant party "heii
The struggle had once begun He was Charleston
,awv.r nativ. of the State, and a son OF an
Jrj,hman prominently identified with Roman Cain
olic interests in South Carolina NJ r. Coio'
seryed in the State Legislature during the f'epe'o"'
When peace he finally declared LOT the ac-
ceptance Of the results Of the war In gooo iai.h'
He went as a delegate TO the Democratic Ma
tonal Convention OF 1872 at Baltimore. and speech
delivered there first gave him National prominence.
When the Committee on Resolutions OF which nc
was a member, reported In favor OF adoPtihs ''e
candidates and platform of the Liberal Repuohcahs'
Senator Bayard made long speech In opposition.
When he sat down. OConnor got the moor. ana
made q strong speech for Greeley and Brown IN
the course Of which he said LAS TO the t1iteeh'h
Amendment, let me say to the gentleman from Der
aware that while our State has had 10 ehoure
what he is so much opposed to-negro SURFACE al
nausean,-that speaking my individual convictions,
7 would be the last man to assist in' ana "ouio
to the day when any party In this Repuohc
would ever enroll on its banner. the principle 10
wrest from millions Of Africans that which mas
heen given them" The cause did not need MS
sneech Mr. Bayard greatly In the minority
and was hardly able 10 get a Wv
sentiments expressed by OConnor were "ueS
ouo,ed and from that day he took rank among the
campaign orators Of the Democratic party IN s'o
he was elected to Congress. and served until MS
death In 1881.
Miss OConnor's life Of her father SHOWS MIN 10
have been an ardent and eloquent man. WIN '"e
typical virtues Of the Irishman. His nome NE war
evidently most happy and he was devoted 10 ms
religion. His name never enrolled among '"e
men Of first rank who remembered after they
are gone by a whole country. but he rose 10 emf
nence In his community and did faithful and vau-
able work for his State in a trying PERIOD OF i's
history This story OF his life is married by'a sus-
pcion OF indiscrminate enthusiasm and lack OF
perspective Too often the part which Mr.. OCon-
nor took in public affairs is exaggerated out OF all
proportion. Some views of his prescience are too
amusing TO be taken seriously. When with a COM
mittee he visited Governor Tilden inform him of
his nomination for the Presidency. they were as
sembed in the parlor awaiting the entrance of the
Governor As ne entered father told his hopes
fell n an instant. and. leaning on. the marble
msntel. after having looked at him steadily mo-
nlent two. he turned to my uncle saying Mark
what tell you here tonight. that man will never
be the ruler OF forty millions Of people He did not
saw he would not be elected but asserted that he
would never be the ruler OF forty millions OF peo-
pie "
The personality OF the author might have been
made less prominent with advantage. especially in
the personal letters Of her father included In the
volume.
The American Society for the Prevention OF Cru
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"Our Animal Friends the annual collection OF the