All over the State of New York the daily and weekly papers, the day after his death, contained most flattering and affectionate tributes to his memory, and these were echoed and reinforced since by the press of the whole country, for “The Rochesterian” gave the key to the right solution of many a question to hundreds of editors who sought in the exchanges for “J. O’C’s” latest.
Said the Rochester Times: “For intelligence and insight he had few peers among the great journalists of his time; but in addition he had what some more renowned than he have lacked—absolute bravery of conviction. His pen was unconditionally consecrated to truth as he saw truth; and nothing could weaken his allegiance. It is familiar history that he could have held some of the highest posts in American journalism had he been willing to bend his honor or relax his sincerity.”
“Intellectually,” says the Syracuse Herald, “he was one of the frankest and bravest of men, never hesitating to champion a cause that appealed to his reason or humanity because it happened to be temporarily unpopular.”
“Journalism,” says the Troy Press, “loses a philosophical writer, a brilliant scholar and a veritable ‘knowledge-box’ in the death of Joseph O’Connor of The Post Express. He was one of the few editors whose talent and resources were so abounding that adequately to replace him is practically out of the question.”
“He set before the men of his profession,” says the Rochester Herald, “an example of frankness, courage, and independence which is emulated wherever it is possible to follow it, and is admired and envied where conditions do not permit of its acceptance. The utterances of newspapers, elsewhere in the country as well as here, are more sincere, more fearless, and freer from cant and sham because of the ideals revered and upheld by Joseph O’Connor.”
“Mr. O’Connor,” says the Rochester Times, “was a man of extensive acquaintance, of legions of friends but with few ‘cronies.’ Among these favored few might be numbered Rev. Louis A. Lambert of Scottsville, editor-in-chief of the New York Freeman’s Journal; Rev. John L. Codyre of Fairport, Judge John D. Lynn, and a few others. His friendships were for literary characters and their conversation was of the ultra intellectual thought. Abstruse theological and philosophical problems were discussed with as much freedom as ordinary persons talk of the weather. Yet Mr. O’Connor in his kindly, lovable, winsome way could talk entertainingly on the commonest topic with any acquaintance and his was the tactful manner which never made one feel his smallness before him.”
Such is the tribute paid him by the Rochester, N. Y., Herald of October 10th, 1908, in its editorial column.
The Society, in response to its request for further information for its archives, received the following communication from Mr. O’Connor’s lifelong friend, Edmond Redmond, Esq., which we print in full:
230 Spencer St., Rochester, N. Y.,
November 13, 1908.