The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-05

into politics.; what was my hrSt polltl
cal success; what | would advise young
men to do who desire to achieve political
success: and whether or not | think the
rewards of public life are sufficient tc
justify poor man in going into politics
| got into politics naturally enough
and yet accidentally-at least not pur.
posely. / went into the army in 1856.
when but sixteen years of age, and be-
fore / had completed my education.
served three years until the close OF
the war and then at nineteen came
home from the excitements of the field,
and resumed my studies. 1t was time
of great political events. There was
intense feeling. Great men were on the
stage. and great questions were engag-
ing attention. We were working out
the settlements of the war. | naturally
took interest in all that was occurring,
and thus became familiar with politics
before quitting the academic life |
left school Notwithstanding, with
out any thought of engaging in
public affairs. On the contrary | had
a fixed determination to adhere strict
ly and exclusively to the practice of
the law. / got along very well i'll that
profession until General Grants second
campaign in 1872. | was his great adj
mirer and could not resist the tempta-
ton to take the stump and make an
swer as best | could to the fierce
charges of various kinds that were
made against him. This was the put
ting of the hand to the plough, and
there was no turning back.
The demands for campaign work
grew with the years, and before
l. i far
ably in connection with official posi-
tons, and finally in April, 1879, l had my
first personal success in the shape of an
election to the office of Judge of the SUI
perior Court of Cincinnati. After three
years of agreeable official life | became
i'll, and on that account resigned |
quickly regained my health, however,
and once more engaged in the practice of
law, | had no thought of returning to
public life | was therefore, surprised,
as well as gratified when the following
year, 1883. | was nominated for Cover
nor without opposition and by acclama-
ton. Since then | have had very active
and at times rather tempestuous c1pe-
rience. In my first campaign for Gov
ernor the liquor question was uppermost
in the minds of the people, and ] was
defeated, but two years later in 1880, |
was re-nominated and elected. | was re
elected in 1887 and re-nomnated in 1889
for the fourth time and Tor a third term
and again defeated
| was a candidate for United States
Senator in 1892, but was defeated by
Senator Sherman, who received fifty
three votes to my thirty eight. In 1896
/ was elected to the Senate without Re
publican opposition.
| attended the National Republican
conventions of 1884, 1888, 1892 and 1896,
each time as delegate at large and
each time chosen by acclamation. In
1854 and again in 1888 | was Chairman
of the Ohio delegation, and both times
presented the name Of Senator Sher-
man as Ohio's candidate for the Presi-
dency. In 1892 and again in 1896 | was
Chairman of the Committee on Reso-
lutions, and as such each time reported
the National Republican platform to
the Convention. | also, in 1896 placed
President Mckinley name in nominal
ton. In all these years | have taken
an active part on the stump, not only
in Ohio, but also i'll other States.
mention all this because | am asked
to do so and because it will indicate
that ] have not only had considerable
experience, but that ii has been of q
varied character While | have hal
some success, | have also had my full
share of defeats and disappointments.
Some of these defeats have been be
cause of my own faults and mistakes
and some of them because of conditions
and circumstances beyond my con
troll. Defeats generally hurt q
man, especially when attributable tc
his own mistakes, but they are not in
surmountable, even in such cases when
accepted uncomplainingy and when
they do not involve lack of integrity OIL
sincerity. The people do not expect
or really desire perfection, or even {
very close approximation to it. 20 mo-
know but that they like those who now
and then show that they are flesh anc
blood by ordinary mistakes of judg
ment better than those who never fai
TO do exactly the right thing. 1t is thu
difference between hot blood and cole
impulse and calculation.
Mr.. Ford has done good work b.
his new book. 1.-The True George
Washington He has brought tina
great character with all its work ans
snblimity into closer touch with man
kind He has established relationship
between Washington and the rest of TIN
human family, whereas according t.
Weems and most other biographers ther
was none, and us result there IS ;
marked increase Of affectionate regart
and admiration for the father of HI
country. Since we know that with al
his greatness and goodness he yet ha'
many Of the shortcomings that afflic
other people. we feel much better nc
quanted with him. and look upon him a
more agreeable person 10 meet on tn
pathway of life.
Recurring now to your questionstit i
upon this kind of experience that
would advise IA young man to conside
well before he enters politics. Unless h
has aptitude for public affairs he is no
likely to succeed, and if he has powe
to succeed he must expect all kinds o
ups and downs. To-day successful am
popular, tomorrow defeated and cen
sured: sometimes justly. but more FIRE
quently uniustly TO withstand all thi
he must have good nature and the quail
ties of selfadaptation He must lear
that his own personality is not importan
to anybody but himself and consequent
fl,o Il hon