The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1904-09-07
ments and attributed to them person.

ally no higher motive than reveng'
for lack of desired organization
recognition. But it was all in vain
for the scheme had merit, and belle
in it, under a vigorous, skillful, and
persistent presentation of the reason:
for the reform proposed, soon tool
possession of the public mind, an(
when the fact was discovered, thu
organization leaders of both grea'
parties struggled to make such appro
priation of the idea as would win the
support of the Multitude that haG
come to believe in it. The result was
favorable legislation, which has
progressed along the lines laid out by
the original promoters, but 70 a fal
greater extent than was advocated by
them at the very outset.
Many instances might he cited in
which educated men of energy have
initiated and led movements against
forces organized under the leadership
of strong men in both parties for the
purposes of gain at public expense,
and those movements have resulted in
the almost undisputed leadership OF
the educated initiators, with great
offices entrusted to them by the people
as q reward for their distinguished
services, and also instances in both
State and nation IN which men have
achieved the highest official station
because of their having championed
measures that met the approval of a
majority of the people.
l invite your attention to a few of
the more remarkable instances in each
class, such, for example, as the great
struggle in the city of New York in
1871, under the leadership of Samuel
J. Tilden, which resulted in the over
throw of the Tweed Ring and released
that great city from the clutches of
an organized band of plunderers.
Thus vas the foundation laid broad
and deep for his election as governor
in 1874. Both his nomination and
election r bitterly opposed by
many men who we're prominent in his
own party, but they could not check
the tide of public sentiment which set
in the favor of a continuance in the
State at large of the methods that had
rescued the metropolis. The election
over, some of his friends feared that
aggressiveness against those who
defrauding the public might
cease, and among them was his close
Charles O'Conor. at one time
the recognized leader of the Ameri-
ian bar, who, throughout the long
and bitter fight against the Tweed
had stood shoulder to shoulder
Tilden, giving him at all times
and in all places the benefit of his
great legal ability and mature judy
nent. The fear that Tilden's zeal
abate was very frankly ex
pressed in a letter from O'Conor to
he governor shortly after the latter's
election, in which he quoted this
from Moore
10 place and power all public spin, tends:
N place and power all public spirit ends.
O'COnOr's fears proved to be
yrOurdless, for he who had fought the
Tweed Ring as a private citizen at
,nce grappled with and overthrow the
ANAL ring as governor. His enemies
within the party were legion, and on
,very hand Democrats were to be
iOund who denounced him for con-
luct which they were pleased. to assert
vas disrupting his party. But before
lis short term of Office as governor
he had been nominated Oy
lis party for the Office of president
Ind later received a majority of the
7otes of the people. an experience
hat had not fallen to the lot of any
,ther Democratic candidate for the
in twenty years.
In the other class may be said to
Abraham Lincoln. whose
with the people. which
made possible his first nomination by
he Republican Party for the Office of
president, took its rise, it is true. in
he series Of great debates with Stephen
\. Douglas; but it was not due t.. the
kill displayed in the debate, great as
t is conceded on every hand to have
'een. but to an idea upon which he
lad pondered deeply, in which he
relieved with all the strength of the