New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-09-09
GOVERNOR HILL AND THE VIRTUOOS
DEMOCRATS

There is something irresstiby comical about
a virtuous Democrat His situation is so lone
Iy, and he has such an indescribable expression
of sadness in his face. These circumstances
ordinarily entitle those afflicted by them to a
certain measure of commiseration, but some
how it doesn't happen to occur to you to pity
virtuous Democrat And why should 1t :
If he is bound to be virtuous, what business has
he being a Democrat, or if he is bent upon
being Democrat, what possible excuse can he
offer for being virtuous? His unhappy situa-
ton is his own fault, and is, moreover, so easily
, cured that no good reason can be gwen Tor an
appeal to ones compassionate interest. All he
need do to recover his happiness is to abandon
his virtue or his Democracy. And seeing that
he cannot keep on good terms with himself
anyhow so long as he retains them both, the
sacrifice ought not to distress him.
II is for these reasons that the public gen.
orally looks with unmixed amusement at the
spectacle presented by those virtuous Demo
Gratis who assembled in the Cooper Union last
FRIDAY night to denounce Governor Hill. They
were all real Democrats. Many, to be sure
were attached to ex-Nlayor Grace, giving color
TO the suspicion that considerable part Of the
assembled "citizens" had been imported from
Hunters Point. whittier Mr.. Grace, according
to the sworn testimony of Acknowledgement,
always secures his lustiest citizens when he is
going to run for anything. Others, too, came
from Mr.. Henry Georges section of the Anti
Poverty economists. Others were eX-Nlug-
wumps, but all were genuine Democrats.
Their complaint against the Governor, as
nearly as we can make it out, was that he was
befrending the rum interest, opposing electoral
reform, sharing in the profits Of public con-
tracts, and debauching the Civil Service. This
is all true enough. Indeed it is but small
and feeble statement of the Governors de-
merits. But what is there about it that need dis
turb a supporter of Grover Cleveland? Where
would the Democratic party be without the
saloons? Where would Mr.. Cleveland land
on the 9Th of November without the help of
frauds on the franchise? Who but his par
tisans are at this moment blocking legislation
that looks toward the preservation OF the bal
lot from violence and dishonesty? Where Hill
has appointed one bad official Cleveland has APP
pointed hundred Where Hill has debauched
the Civil Service of one State, Cleveland has
debauched it in thirty-eight States and eight
Territories If the stomach of the virtuOus
Democrat resents Hill, how desperately it ought
to throb at being asked to digest Cleveland.
There is only one way out of the scrape in
which these virtuous Democrats find them
selves. They must nominate ticket of their
own. With Henry George, of California, for
President, with Ex-Governor ID. II. Chamber
lain, of South Carolina for Vice-Presdent, and
with young Mr.. WINS, of w. Il. Grace 81 Co.,
for Governor, they ought to be able to sweep
themselves. They could not only harmonic
their virtue and their Democracy but they
could present to themselves fetching plat
form, minging the ideas of communism with
the principles of Macchiaveli. What could be
more attractive than this scheme TO yrtuous