1896.] ^OO [Rotbrock. 



have not yet found. I must now write to get rid of my self-re- 

 proach. I did not then appreciate so fully, as I now do, these 

 words : ' How contemptible appear the tricks and contrivances 

 of party to secure or retain power! ' You spoke thus from much 

 ampler opportunities of observation than 1 have had, but I have 

 verified the truth of your exclamation. When I went to the 

 Senate, it was with a resolution to do what I sbould be myself 

 convinced was right ; not, it is true, expecting many others to 

 be so transcendental in their views. I have a large confidence, 

 too, in the goodness of human nature, and yet hold to my faith ; 

 and look upon those, who lose character, with a considerable de- 

 gree of charity, as the victims of ignorance or accidental associ- 

 ations. But what is to be thought of Whig leaders and the 

 best that the Senate claims, who have, some of them, high integ- 

 rity in their ordinary transactions and in their duty to the State, 

 yielding their expressed convictions to win capital to their own 

 party and perhaps to their own support as candidates for gover- 

 nor?" 



In accepting the nomination for the State Senate, Mr. Price 

 did so with the express understanding that he was to give no 

 pledges which would forestall discussion, and that he was to do 

 nothing to ensure his own election. The special reasons for this 

 union of his fellow-citizens upon him were : first, to secure the 

 consolidation of the city; second, to substitute a paid for a vol- 

 unteer fire department; and third, to have legislation which 

 would suppress, or ac least hold in check, the intemperance 

 against which so many of Philadelphia's best citizens were then 

 engaged in an active crusade. Horace Binney had said to his 

 son, "I should think your battle would be half won if you could 

 place Mr. Price's name, with his consent, at the head of your 

 ticket." The history of the consolidation of this city will be 

 alluded to later. We have now to consider the action of Mr. 

 Price in regard to the temperance cause. 



After Mr. Price's eleclion a Bev. Mr. Rood wrote to ask him 



