New-York tribune., 1889-10-29
OUR LAZY RULERS.

In several great States the people VIII soon
be voting. New \ Ork New-Jersey and Vir-
ginia have Democratic Governors, while ONO
is Republican State but one in which the
Democrats hoped at first to succeed. With
the elections close at hand the prospect ap-
pears TO favor the Republicans in all these
States, and yet in either of them neglect or
indifference even on the last day, might blng
defeat. The closing days of every contest have
to be given to the men whose beliefs need no
changing, but who are laggards. Once in four
wears or more they rub their eyes open, or
suffer somebody else to rub them open and to
cart them to the voting places. Having voted,
they consider that they have done their whole
duty in the work of selfgovernment, and go
contentedly to sleep again.
II would he an undeserved compliment to
call these men drones in the hive. They, and
they only, are responsible for most of the de-
feats which the cause of self-gOvernment has
sustained hitherto, and their fault is the greater
because they know their political duty perfectly
well. They know that the most Ignorant clu-
zen who brings his ballot from the nearest
rum-shop is really more worthy than they II ne
honestly tries to do his duty as citizen reg
ularly, with such light as he has. They are
perfectly aware that they ought to vote ana
how they ought to vote, and, as rule nave
business, industrial or personal interests Whlch
they know good government will directiy pro-
mote, and which their lazness or lndlhere
imperis Yet they are prone to leave some
body else to defend their interests, and to ge'
them TO the polls if he can.
If these lazy sovereigns can be got out TINS
year the Republicans will probably carry each
of the States above named. In Ohio, as dis
patches published on Monday showed, the Dem
ocrats have had no real hope of success for some
time. In New-York they expect Governor Hill
and his trained manipulators to pull them
through somehow, but are uncOmfortably aware
that the plain people are not inclined TO 1aVor
him. his ambitions his tricks or his tainted
ticket In New-JerSey they see that Mr.. Abb
bett has done nothing to break the force OF
public disgust at the indecent partlsanShp OF
the late Democratic Legislature, or to clear his
own record from the stain OF participation III
fraud. In Virginia they stand on the street.
corners and use Mahone and imagine that is
argument enough. But the Republicans in
New-Yo ork and Ohio are confident, and in New
Jersey anu NHBlnId udNO SViphS hOpS'
The one thing wanted is @ no stay at-homes."
If all the men who know what they ought to
do will do it, and stick to their work until they
have secured full and square vote and an
honest count, there will be better government
for the Nation. For there is no Use in dis
guising the fact that a seeming popular reac-
ton just at this time, with Congress close in
both branches and about to assemble, would
have a most unfortunate tendency to cripple the
scanty majority. 1t would rende- far more
difficult the judicious legislation on practical
and business questions for which the country
has waited in vain so long. timid Congress
is not apt to achieve great things Wise action
is generally brave action; the statesman or the
woman who, hesitates is apt to do something
foolish. If the people want firm, resolute, manly
legislation this winter, applying the grand
principles of Republican policy to National
issues, and preparing for a broader and greater
prosperity than the cOratry has yet seen let
them set the ball in motion by casting full votes
in every State this fall.