New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-06
TIE UEEPING JEFFERSONIdNS

The sudden dpsprnging of Jefferson Clubs
in various localities during the last year or two
has been the occasion OF considerable discus
sion in Democratic circles of the question
whether these organizations were named after
Thomas jefferson or joe There are those who
following up the close analogy between the
Democratic party and Rip Van Wrinkle, in the
matter of dissolute habits, succeeded by twenty
years retirement from public affairs, maintain
that the new organizations take their name
from Joe Jefferson, the famous representative
OF Rip. And they say that while there is moth
ing in the life, character public services or
political principles of Thomas Jefferson upon
which the Democratic party OF to-day can lay
hold to Justify the taking Of his name,the name
of Joe Jefferson comes up almost lnvountarily
a. peculiarly appropriate to Rip Van Wrinkle
organization. This is a very plausible state
mcnt, but from remarks casually dropped by
Mr. Samuel }. Tildon and others, and the care
that appears to have been taken IN several IN
stances to celebrate the birthday of Tn0mas
while no notice seems to have been taken OF the
birthday Of Joe, we are confident that Thomas
is the man they are after. The number OF
those who insist that the clubs are named after
Mr. Jefferson Davis must be small. For though
: the appropriateness of it is perhaps more
marked than either of the other two, it is
hardly probable that political club would call
itself by its favorte statesman's Christian
name. 1t is to be regretted that such confusion
should exist but it seems in the circumstances
unavoidable.
Assuming, then, that Thomas is the man
whose grave they are keeping green by plant
ing themselves OF it, we note with satisfaction
that the birthday Of the saint was celebrated in
various places with what might be called en-
thusasm. Last year the Tammany Society OF
this city observed the day, or rather night, by
public meeting presided over by Mr.. Augustus
Schell, who seized the occasion to contemplate
with alarm the exifting condition of things,
and so narrowed up the feelings of the patriots
present that many we're affected to tears, and
went out to drown their sorrOWs in the bowl
before he had concluded. 1t was proposed at
that meeting to take steps at once for the cree
ton of statue of jefferson in Central Park,
and a conn ittee was appointed to raise funds
for that purpose. Nothing has been heard
from the committee since, and it is feared that,
like the committees that used to be sent out
periodically to persuade llOratiO Seymour TO
accept the nomination for Governor, it has been
lost. 1t may be, however, that some tine this
committee who went forth weeping will return
bringing the statue with them. This year the
Tammany Society is not weeping over the
grave Of Jefferson so much. 1t leaves that
business to the County Democracy, who weep
uncommonly easy this year, and view every
thing including Tammany Hail. with alarm.
Tie day was celebrated, however, by Jeier oman
Clubs in various places. The one upon whose
bosom Mr.. Tildcn this year pillowed his weary
head and into whose large capacj0us ear he
poured the story of his discOuragements, is
located at New Haven. Last year, If We rightly
remember, he fired OFT his accumulated dcjcc-
ton toward Pittsburg. His selection of New
Haven for the annual discharge of his despair
for free institutions gives the JeIcrsOnian Club
of that town, at which it was aimed, national
importance.
The letter has already been published, 1t
concludes with the admission that there remains
"glimmcring spark of official virtue and
public honor which is the most cheerful sug-
gostion that has escaped him Tor five years
but he says the teachings and examples of
Jefferson must be invoked to keep 1t alive.
Other letters of similar tenor were read The
entertainment was in the nature of wake |
Congressman Phelps, OF the New-lIayen Dis
trct wrote saying that he was alarmed because
:" the Government is now administered III 'the |
interest of political party Doubtless the |
New Haven Jollersonans, to whom it never
occurred that such things could be possible |
were shocked at the intelligence. Mr. Phelps |
thinks the future of our Government is in !
deed unpropitious unless something can be |
done to 50 awaken the popular conscience as
to elevate the people above savsh suboIdina-
ton TO party" Mr. Phelpss grief over tie |