"ROCHESTER, N. Y., _Oct. 25, 1871_.
"_Private._
"DEAR SIR,--No single incident of the war against the machine has given
the people everywhere so much joy as the announcement yesterday by
telegraph that Charles O'Conor had been tendered an Assembly nomination
and had not declined, but justified the hope of his acceptance. The
acceptance and election to the Assembly of O'Conor would, in my
judgment, aside from what he might be able to accomplish by official
action, be productive of a good moral effect that is incalculable.
He occupies a position to-day prouder than that of any President
or crowned head. Universally recognized as the foremost man of the
bar, and unreservedly trusted as a guardian of the people's rights
and interests in a time of great peril, all eyes are turned towards
him as a sort of savior in this era of corruption in governmental
administration. His declination now, after giving ground for hope,
would be disheartening. I earnestly trust that the pressure will be
brought to bear upon him so strongly that he will not disappoint the
people.
"You yourself ought by all means to go to the Assembly also. While
your position differs in some respects from that of Mr. O'Conor, your
presence at Albany this winter would be no less important. You have
led, are the leaders of, the fight against the machine, and, of course,
have incurred the hostility and hatred of the machine men and their
henchmen in different parts of the State. The fight will be continued
in various forms at Albany during the session of the Legislature, and
you ought to be there to direct it, as well as to do service on the
floor of the Assembly. Our Democratic press, that is heartily in the
good work, must speak out fully and boldly of all proceedings this
winter, and not leave iniquity to be cloaked and public sentiment to be
formed by subsidized newspapers and newspaper correspondents at Albany.
I have never given Albany matters during the session much attention
heretofore, but next winter it will not be my fault if the public of
western New York do not learn through the _Union_ what is going on, and
all that is going on.
"Everything here looks well. I think we will elect Lord Senator.
"Yours, &c.,
"WM. PURCELL."
"P. S.--It would amuse you to see some of the written suggestions I
have received since the fight was won at the State convention from
those who condemned my article of the 3rd on the 'Paramount Duty,' and
who wanted to 'fix things up in some way with Tammany.' One of these,
in particular, is cool--suggesting to _me_ that 'the true policy _now_
is to cut loose from Tammany Hall'!"