A GREAT PUBLIC CHARACTER. 107 



those qualities almost superabundantly in him. His 

 virtues lost him his office, as such virtues are only too 

 apt to do in peaceful times, where they are felt more as 

 a restraint than a protection. His address on laying 

 down the mayoralty is very characteristic. We quote 

 the concluding sentences : — 



" And now, gentlemen, standing as I do in this relation 

 for the last time in your presence and that of my fellow- 

 citizens, about to surrender forever a station full of diffi- 

 culty, of labor and temptation, in which I have been 

 called to very arduous duties, affecting the rights, prop- 

 erty, and at times the liberty of others ; concerning 

 which the perfect line of rectitude — though desired — 

 was not always to be clearly discerned ; in which great 

 interests have been placed within my control, under cir- 

 cumstances in which it would have been easy to advance 

 private vends and sinister projects; — under these cir- 

 cumstances, I inquire, as I have a right to inquire, — 

 for in the recent contest insinuations have been cast 

 against my integrity, — in this long management of 

 your affairs, whatever errors have been committed, — 

 and doubtless there have been many, — have you found 

 in me anything selfish, anything personal, anything mer- 

 cenary 1 ! In the simple language of an ancient seer, I 

 say, ' Behold, here I am ; witness against me. Whom 

 have I defrauded 1 Whom have I oppressed ] At 

 whose hands have I received any bribe?' 



" Six years ago, when I had the honor first to address 

 the City Council, in anticipation of the event which has 

 now occurred, the following expressions were used : ' In 

 administering the police, in executing the laws, in pro- 

 tecting the rights and promoting the prosperity of the 

 city, its first officer will be necessarily beset and assailed 

 by individual interests, by rival projects, by personal in- 

 fluences, by party passions. The more firm and inflesi- 



