New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-20
A DESERVED ETE.

ton the present state of the Democratic party.
The emotion is not simple. but complex. 1t
is compounded of amusement, pity and con-
tempt. The observer sees great party at inc
present moment engaged in an effort for us
perpetuation, so comically distracted by ad-
verse counsels that the traditional cnmity OF
Kilkenny cats il not circumstance to 1t, ana
he laughs; he sees great party so burdened
by its record and it's aspirations that it cannot
take step without staggering, and he is I'M
consciously moved to coincidence; he sees
great party playing fast and loose with its own
convictions, and he finds it hard work 10 avoid
a sneer.
Was ever either side in a great political
battle so strangely disposed before Inc
chairman of the Democratic Campaign Com
mittee, at a moment when his surroundings
suggested frankness and prompted Tree out
pouring Of the heart, was understood to make
certain forcible and spontaneous remarks con-
corning the conduct of the campaign which he
is supposed to direct Those remarks are pub
lished far and wide. as they were understood
to have been uttered, and forthwith his follow
ers divide as to the propriety and advantage
of making them. BY one contingent OF his
forces they are accepted not only as gospel
truth, but as the most encouraging and salutary
demonstration thus far made. certainly,
Colonel Brce takes no exception to the pub
lished interview" says Mr.. Henry Watterson ;
how could he and why should he? The spirit
of it was contained in a letter which l myself
wrote to the President few days ago" But
another contingent mistrusts the holiness
which speaks right out in meeting and hnds
| comfort in the announcement that the chairman
was misrepresented. 1t is not a question OF
! conscience with these timorous souls, but Of
expedency The overruling Providence which
sends rain upon the just and upon the unjust
has endowed them with sufficient capacity 70
conprchend the situation, but has afflicted
them with a socitous and vacillating spirit
which forebodes disaster whichever way the
wind blows. They know that their party Is
in desperate straits, and that some means OF
escape must be found at once or all Will be lost
But each hoped that the truth was known onI!
to himself, and cannot bear to hear it pro-
claimed from the housetOps.
Moreover, apart from the distress which {
consideration of the acknowledged apathy a
headquarters causes-an apathy which results
from misgivings as to the free-trade policy o.
the marty and deep-seated and ill-concealet
hostility to the Presidents person and aim
Democrats regard the impending struggle
for supremacy in this State with alarm.
heart they belong to Governor Hill. The.
understand him, and feel at home under HI
dspensation, but they cannot help hearing
things that make them uneasy. Again, 1t /
not n question of principle but of votes The
like him all the better for their knowledge tina
, if he failed of denomination he would knife
8 the ticket They have all carried knives u
their own sleeves at one time or another an
they appreciate the soace which long, shar
blade imparts. But what will happen II tn
Governor prevails over his foes? VIII In
poor, impractical creatures who prefer clea
and honest and high minded man for Governo
of the Empire State actually have the effron'er
to express their preference at the polls? Wh
can tell in advance which horn of the dlemm
:, a prudent man ought to grasp? AS for tha
y curious sect of the Pharisees they are in
condition not of bewilderment merely, but {
abect terror. They think that they don't hb
Governor Hill, but they are not quite sure
n it. They would gladly accept aid from an
y quarter to keep the wheels under their tin &c
S in the White House. They dread not I'll
n moral contamination but the practical disa'
IT vantage Of consorting with the elements
IS vice and disorder. They shudder to thin
= what might be lost by the frank confession tn
II the Governor really represents their party, b
y in their secret souls they contemplate with
e fearful JOY the vote making power OF IN
a gigantic corruption fund which the hquo
If dealers stand pledged to pour into the canva
if their orders are obeyed. No sacrifice is t
great for the President who has bewitched al
=. betrayed them. They say to MIR. Clevelal
= as Gretchen said to Faust:
d" ave have already done so much for you,
10 That little more remains for US to do'
It is, indeed, humiliating position for
IN great party which less than four short yea
OF ago came into power because it succeeded
n prevailing upon a sufficient number OF vote
lg to believe that thereafter 1t would be the
e. ponent of reform" But it is the natul
20 and proper position for party that has ne'
Ne professed decent principle which it would
" forswear, nor adopted an honest rule of &C
d. duct which it was not ready to abandon, If
m such means it might be enabled to carry
i'll the real purposes which animate it.