New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-08-29

The n. Y Times dislikes our proposal that the
Democrats should adopt Mr.. James Gordon Ben
pctt as their candidate for Mayor since all the
now Hostile factions Of that party could cordially
unite upon him The idea is treated by The n.
J. Tines with what we suppose it interds for
irony except that at the end Of it's article all pre-
tense Of good feeling is abandoned, and viruent
acrmopy is openly proclaimed. The particular
point which The N. Y. Times brings forward in
this attack is the famous affair of Plum Gut, and
some supposed shameful participation of Mr. Ben.
nett therein.
Now, while we contend that the Democratic party
could not DO shrewder thing than to nominate
Mr.. Bennett for Mayor We desire it to be under
stood that in that event We shall most probably
oppose his election; certainly We shall do our best
to secure the return of the Republican nominee,
provided be be the right kind of man. But, how
ever we might find it necessary to discuss the
merits or dement's Of the several candidates. we do
not think that any political exgency could justify
sheer or an innuendo at Mr.. Bennett on account Of
Plum Gut. No matter what may said against him,
it is impossible, with any fairness, to accuse him
is high time that his foes should abandon their alu
sions to il. What are the facts about Plum Gut
There was yacht race son of Mr.. Bennett,
young man some twenty years old, owned and
commanded one of the yachts in the race; that
yacht came through Plum Gut, a shorter route
than had been laid down, and, though il GOT in
first it was declared to have lost the race on
account of this irregularty That the irregularity
was committed knowingly, and with frau iulent
design, has never been established; indeed, the
contrary would appear to have been proved, for
the Yacht Club Gid not expel Mr. Bennett, jr as
il must have done had there been any evidence Of
dishonest or ungentlemanly purpose on his part.
This action of the Yacht Club may thus be taken
as a final verdict Of not guilty on the whole
transaction, and as disposing of the charges
% freely made at the time. But whatever the
merits of the commander of the yacht Rebscca,
or of his navigating his vessel through Plum Gut,
there is not the slightest for involving Mr..
Bennett senior in any imputatons connected with
the subject He was not on board the yacht, and
hsd nothing TO do with the race; Of course he felt
a natural interest in the success OF bis son; aud
We may be very sure that if he had been with him
on that occasion, he would have kept the vessel
out of Plum Gut, rather than order her to sail
through it. For nobody supposes that Dir. Ben
nett is fool; and if the passage Of Plum Gut was
not an accident and a misfortune. as the Yacht
Club have virtually pronounced it, it was the
erossest folly in the world.
We submit, then, tina. to shout - Plum Gut " is
not enough for those who wish to put aside the
man We have brought forward as the Democratic
candidate for the Msyoralty. II may be that The
" ]. Times, which, of late, has carefully initiated
the general course of The Herald, though without
the originality and total freedom from all restraints
which give that journal its piquancy and its power
thinks now of carrying the imitation t. its last
point by becoming also advocate of the Democrat
c party and Of Mr.. Buchanan On this hypothesis
ii is ea.y to understand why The n. L. Times should
desire 10 prevent that Official recognition Of Mr..
Benefits services to the present Democratic party
which would be Involved in his nouisa,ion to the
May orally BY Tammany Hall and Mozart Hall both
But as he is by far the ablest journalist xho has
ever advocated the cause Of that party We presume
that such jealousy, and such sreers, which We have
shown to be groundless, will not be allowed TO in
fuence the decision OF either Of thoss s.ea. D-mo.
cratic " institutions"