New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-04-28
"ShAP THE WHIP"


We do not by any means doubt the sincerity
of the three or four journalists in various
parts of the country who insist that the ex-
PLANTATION of Mr. Blaine is not sufficient to
meet all the facts in the case that has been
made up against him. Mr.. Blaine seems to
the mind of the average man to have met
very fairly the charges that have been made
or insnuated against him. To persons who
only know what has been said publicly about
him, or who have constructed into definite
accusations the insinuations and hints that
have been published concerning him, he seems
to have acted very manly part, to have
done everything that could be asked in the
way of refutation and denial, and to
have established il perfect defense. Even our
friends the unsatisticd journalists admit that
to all appearances ho has succeeded. They
say it is plausible and effective and that
"bv those who know only the case against
" him IA presented to tho public, it Will he
generally accepted rs complete and satisfac-
I" tory" but they add with Il rolling up of tho
cvcballs that suggests Brooklyn, and "a shaking
OF the head that recalls the saintcd Bowen and
his Bottom Facts" that "to those who think
they have other information it will seem
"hcking in some PARTICULARS Now we have
the profoundest respect for the sincerity and
carncstnes, of these gentlemen. We may not
acree with them at all Tunes in their own csti-
mate of themselves rs public benefactors, but
we do believe, and are glad to, that they mean
to be public bcnefactcIs, whether they are so
or not. They doubtless think Mr.. Blaine is
corrupt They have received from a railroad
president here, and railroad director there,
and IN inside politician yondcr confidential
communications which are as full OF suggest
iyeness as an egg Of meat. They all point III
one direction. Nothing il said openly moth
ing charged definitely. There's whisper
than which nothing is more captivating.
There's Just a suspicion than which nothing
is more powerful to start the hunt and lend
excitement to the chase. And we take leave
to say-not unkindly, but only Ivy way OF
stating fact--that some OF our friends OF the
Press have so keen a scent that they need only
a whisper or hint to break into full cry.
Once started, their swiftness has 10 limit 1t
Is such honest speed that whether their fox
doubles on them or disappears they keep right
on.
A little story occurs to us.
Once there was schoolhouse on hill.
The hill slopcd down to pond, on the banks
of which there were little clunrps OF bushes.
| There was one season when skunks were quite
common, and were successfully hunted in the
| bushes at the foot Of tn hill. One of the
! schoolboys, Sammy Smart, took high ground
against skunks, and devoted himself to exter-
minating them He was quite honest in his
hatred of them, but he thought so much and
so earnestly on the subject that he
| OH nd TART in
his sleep, aud sometimes he would take
q notion that they had got INTO tho school
house, and would insist on dropping everything
to hunt them and drive them out. So it hap
pened that the other boys got in way of
| playing on his credulity and setting him to
! hunt his favorite game in the most absurd
places. One day two or three of tho older boys
sald to him at recess, Sammy, you see that
little bunch of bushes over there to the
right of the bank? Well, they've caught
"skunks in every bush down there except that
" one, and we suspect there's one in there. il
eve could only start him up"
ado You know" said Sammy, "Tve always
thought that was n good place for skunk !
"What let's do to get him Out!'
And the other boys said, "We'vc been think
ing of that and our plan is for all tho boys
| to get in a row and take hold of hands and
rush down the hill together into the bush and
scare him out"
The plan was agreed to. The inventors took
the head of the line and Sammy the foot
Down the hill they rushed with great halloo-
ING. but Just before they reached the bush the
mischlevous boys at the head of tho line
stopped short 1t was regular game of Snap
"tbe Whip" and Sammy was the snapper. The
how who had hold of his hand let go, and
Sammy went on Mt the top OF his speed
through the bush and plump into the pond.
Then all the other fellows said with
great gravity, "Why, there wasn't any skunk
"there after all" But Sammy came up, blow
ing dirty water out of his mouth, and saying /:
cit would seem so to you fellows who didn't
20 through the bush, but | think have
other information. The bottom facts about
that bush haven't come out" Just then he
saw one or two fellows who seemed not to
take q proper interest in skunk hunting stand
ing by, and he added: whats more, be-
"lieve the man who owns this land is raising
"skunks, and that some of you fellows are
"paid to take care of them"
Sammy got dry and grew up, but the moral
of the transaction stayed in the school and
was handed down. and it ran thus: always
"be sure when you 60 skunk hunting that the
"other fellows are not playing Snap the
"Whip.'"
There may not be any moral IN this for