The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-03

its leaders appear "a grasp the public nece~-
sites. They have the courage 70 place them
selves upon sound principles and a. de.
nounce corruption and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..
not only in their opponents but IN their
own ranks. The Syracuse platform to-day
represents the opinions Of all true demo-
Gratis. More than all, it is at this time the
single hopeful sign in our politics. u
gives a promise and guarantee Of reforms
in all branches of our government. state
and federal, which are bitterly needed and
loudly demanded by the people everywhere.
1t demands the hearty and vigorous support
of all democrats in this State, in order that
the election may show to the democrats in
other States that right sentiments and Just
policy are approved here, and that the re-
form wing of the democratic party, repre-
sented by the Syracuse platform and ticket,
is the real democratic party
These free lances are simply, to use an ex-
pressive phrase of the past, ''soreheads."
They see the political world through look
ing glass, and find no one but themselves to
serve. The people are nothing. Morrissey
and Dreamer do to-day what Kelly and
Wickham did yesterday namely, fight to
reform" Tammany Hall only that they may
capture the machinery of Tammany Hall
With the grave transcendent issues now be-
fore the country how can honest democrats
be expected to turn aside from the duty of
saving the country and purifying the State
to serve q party which seems to have no
higher duty than to secure to ex-
Sheriff O'Brien his long disputed claim for
fees? Why not this time forget their own
mercenary aims and think of pro bono
pubico? No good army ever quarrels about
the spoils until after the victory is over.
Here are democrats quarrelling about the
spoils in the city before the national battle
is begun. If they keep on quarrelling they
will fly before the battle opens When the
army of Cortes entered Mexico its discipline
was perfect, it's courage dauntless, it's
victories as unerring as a demonstration in
geometry. When these same soldiers came
into the possession of the treasures
they fell into sad ways. Success was
only a step toward failure. The free
lances are acting the unworthy part
of a sutler during the Revolution, who, in
the midst of contending armies, and when
the fate of liberty hung in the balance,
went about the camps crying out 'Beef !
beefr' In this struggle suffers and camp
followers must either take up arms and fight
for the cause or go to the rear and be sunk
in deserved oblivion and contempt. This is
not time for revenge; for the grinding of
private axes; and if to-day, and in this State
and city, any man who calls himself demo-
crat lets his own personality interfere with
cordial support of the party he had better at
once go over to the other side. He has no
business in the democratic ranks. His place
can be filled with better men. The Syracuse
platform appeals to the support of the
thoughtful citizens of all parties in the State,
and it will receive the votes of large num-
Der who have hitherto stood aloof from the
democratic side. The free lances must under
stand that the day has gone by for their ma
nipulations the very idea of an honest and
thorough reform requires that they shall take
back seats and let craftsmanship and char
acter come to the front If they are not con-
tent to do that-if they cannot fit themselves
and postpone their ambitions to the new
duty, they had better make up their minds
to 90 elsewhere.