New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-13
Mr.. DEPEw.

In nominating Mr.. Depew by reclamation for
United States Senator in place Of Edward Muir
ply, Jr., the Republican majority OF the New
York Legislature has performed an net which
cannot fail to be exceedingly gratifying TO the
nominee. and which, moreover, reflects an I'M
usually prevalent and cordial sentiment through
out the State Mr.. Depew has spent only
brief fragment Of his life In public office, but
he has been essentially public figure for forty
years. There are few men living who have 80
large an acquaintance and extended repu-
tation, and perhaps no other American Is on
easy terms with so many persons Of all sorts
and conditions Mr.. Depew has always Guilt
waited popularity, but 1t has been matter OF
temperament rather than Of calculation, so that
even those to whom the arts Of insinuahon are
not attractive are wont to respond with perfect
cordalty to the goodwill which SO clearly de-
clares itself In his countenance and demeanor
and to find the atmosphere which his presence
diffuses congenial.
The gift OF causing pleasure by being pleased
goes far in every walk Of life, but we would not
for moment be understood as ntimating that
this is the chief source Of Mr.. Depew's repute
and influence. He has done prodigious amount
OF work for public causes. and If 1t has been
easier for him than II would have been for al
most any one else II has nevertheless made
heavy drafts upon his time and strength and
nervous energy. Nor can 1t be honestly denied
that on the whole, the work has been extraordi-
narily we'll done, the average quality remarka-
bly, high And It has been generously done
judged by any other standard than that OF the
pessimistic philosopher who considers the ex-
ercise of every preference an act Of selfshness
It may be said. indeed 1t often has been said
that Mr.. Depew, Of his own choice, has been
uniformly too much in evidence: that If he had
been more economical of his talents, and, in
particular Of his rare faculty Of fluent speech
his rank as a statesman and an orator might
have been higher and his fame more solid. But
after ALL this is equivalent TO saying that he
ought to have chosen to be another rather than
himself, which Is not often an easy nor always
an admirable achievement 1t is more just to
remember that he has made lavish use OF his
powers. both for the pleasure and the substan-
tial benefit Of his countrymen, that he has Ia
bored for his party with un6agging spirit and
In general with signal sagacity, and that the
reward which 1t now bestows upon him Is only
a moderate recognition Of long, able and emil
nent services rendered in a sngularly affuent
manner.
When we turn to q consideration Of the new
field in which Mr.. Depew's activities are about
to be employed. we ample reason to believe
that he will enhance and confirm his reputa ton
there. He will certainly not feel strange or be
regarded as stranger In the Senate OF the
United States close observer Of and constant
participant in public affairs All his life. he will
have from the first the place Of a veteran rather
than a novice In counsel debate and legislation.
And it Is to be expected that, without any loss
Of original favor, he will find his surroundings
favorable to the disclosure of his finest qualities
and the expansion Of his influence and author
ity. We congratulate the State and the Nation
upon the assurance OF Mr.. Depew's accession to
the Senate, and, as he well knows, our best
wishes for his happiness will go with him to
the capital