The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-08-30
AIks AND TALKS
tBr julius Chambers in Pittsburg
85$ DISPATCH

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NEW YORK, Aug. 23.-Chairnan
ETaggart Of the National Democratic
Committee has declared his faith in
the potency of the daily newspaper tc
influence public opinion and, what is
far more important. votes. He has
summoned a congress OF editors in
this city within the mex fortnight
There is some wisdom in this. 1t may
save Mr.. Taggart's time. Were he &c
take in all the important Democratic
newspapers in the country, read then
carefully and digest their opinions K
is doubtful II he would have any great
amount of time for the selection OF
spellbinders. a of doubtful
States, the settlement of disputes in
leadership. the reconciliation of rivals,
the Cancellation of B~ryanites, the re-
demption of Democrats who voted for
Mckinley. the raising Of money in
Wall Street or elsewhere. the dis.
patching of public documents. the uni
fication of the Democracy in Illinois,
the coaiescence of Hill and Murphy,
the retort courteous TO Jesse James
for supporting Roosevelt or the enjoy
meut Of the sociability of the Hoffman
House.
Mas MIR. Taggart heard Of the
editorial congress of 1879? There are
some American citizens who do not
possess an abiding confidence in the
~so,calleJ power of the press and
they are arrogant enough TO believe
that the American newspaper is much
better fer its lack OF political inhH
ence. Some of us who can remember
as far back. as the campaign of 1872
cherish decided views on the subject.
Horace Greeley was the worst beaten
candidate for the high Office of Prest-
dent his generation has known. IN
June and July his election seemed 10
be inevitable.
I can not help giving that campaign
a personal touch by disclosing a secret
concerning George II. Pendieton's adj
.vocacy of Horace Greeley. During that
spring, after the Cincinnati conver-
ton, l was sen to Cincinnati to
Sound" Mr.. Pendleton, then the ac-
knowledSed Democratic leader in tho
State of Ohio. regarding the attitude
he would assume at Baltimore respect
ing the Endorsement of Horace Greeley
by the Democratic national conven-
ton. l obtained from him in writing
a promise that he would 10 all In his
power for the Endorsement of Greeley.
and sen his original memorandum to
the sage of Chappauua."
After the Endorsement of the Cincin-
natl ticket at Baltimore the betting on
Greeley appeared to be two or three
=, ,r J-1-ar,- arorEiy ~ 4 haw Unit
ed States of any force, except the New
York Times. supported the editor of
the Tribune. Never was there suclr
unanirnity of voice as in the cry, ANY
thing to beat Grant," In those days,
as now. the editorial a contained
many columns of opinion. ~splendidly
written by men Of force, courage M
political knowledge.
During that campaign 1 swung roun6i
the entire circle east of the Missouri
river. Crossing Ohio, Indiana. Illinois
and penetrating into Minnesota L found
the name Of Greeley or every lip. That
was in June In Missouri / heard Carl
Schurz, Joseph Pulitzer n other lead
ers-recruited from both parties-ex-
tolling the virtues of Greeley and de-
nouncins the imperialism of Grant.
The New York editor still seemed IN
reached the f~rst<shiver of doubt BE-
came manifest By the time ! had
reached New Orleans it was evident
that the sentiment in the South was
hostile to Greeley and that it reflected
Democratic sentiment in the North.
And yet the newspapers in all the Gulf