New-York tribune., 1890-04-14
.S1MTEL j. RANDALL.

LII
Tn Samuel J. Randall the Democratic party
loso, rnmostionably its abest leader No
other Democrat has been able to rival him in
readiness, resource and effectiveness In
parliamentary struggle, and to that fact most
members of his party have attributed his prom
inence But he has in reality far greater
claim upon the regard and gratitude OF his
nolitical associates Before the death of Mr..
Tildcn he was the safest and most sagacious
adviser of his party in Congress, and since that
event its safest and most sagacious adviser IN
the country. TO his personal efforts and In
fuence. in a great degree, that party owed It's
avoidance for many years of the attitude INTO
which Free Traders strove to force IT, ana
which proved fatal in 1855. Of no other man
since Mr.. Tildcn could it have been said, so
nearly with accuracy, that in his death his
rarty lost its brains.
Yet Mr.. Randall. notwithstanding his I'M
surnassed services to the Democratic party and
his recognized leadership for long time. was
never nominated by that party for the Presi-
dercy. Had he been selected day earlier
hv the New-York delegation in the Democratic
National Convention Of 1880, II Is possible
that Randall might have succeeded where Ham
cock failed at least, he would not have madc
his party ridiculous by his uttcrances in at
tempting to evade the tariff question: When
man of far less ability and personal worth
was nominated over him in 1884. Mr.. kandail
probably saved his party from defeat by his
rersonal assurances to Democrats who had
learned TO RELY upon his judgment. 10 him
the Frce-Trade message of President Glove
land was in certain sense an act of bad faith
in view of The assurances he had personally
given. nor was he able any longer to argue
that the Democratic party could he trusted 10
protect American industries 20 the passion
less pen of history must record thai. great a.
were Mr. Randall's services to his party, they
were based upon radical misrepresentation
of the spirit and purpose Of that party OF
which his own exclusion from It's highest honor
was proof II was because his party, though
willing enough to Glch Office hy his erroneous
representations. was at heart thoroughly hos
tile 10 the course he advocated and publicly
promised. that he was never permitted to be
its candidate. but when it gained power at last
| he was treated with contumely, depoScd from
| his leadership in the House, and hunted 10
his death.
Mr.. Randall was not a ProtcctioniSt, ana
vet he was not willing that the Industries OF
the great State which he represented ana loVcd
sbould be prostrated for the benefit OF foreign
manufacturers and importers. He was not en-
,irclv sound ON monetary questions and yet
his early training aS a merchant ana ms assoc
citation with the business men OF great CITY
made it impossible for him TO yield wholly 10
! the rcpudiatois or inilatiOniStS OF hiS party
| lie was pas,ionatcly applaudcd as the ablcst
| champion the South ever had IN Congress whch
he defeated the Force bill. and yet II was by
| ,be domination of that same south III the Dem
ocratic party that his promises IN Ms hchali
were falsifcd and hi, influence was destroyed.
| Recause he had triumphcd on behalf oi tho
| eou,b the South tiiumphed over him. Fight
;nc almost always 10 save his own party from
its most dangerous elements and tendencies
his attitude toward public questions was ever
ant N he construed as insincerc and diSin-
genuous. and yet he hoped even TO the eni
that each blundcr and resulting defeat would
lift his party far enough 10 vindIcate ms
promises in It's behalf. Even TO the cnd nc
undoubtedly had hope that development oi IN
| dustrios at the south would presently break
tho force Of that narrow. ignorant and blgoted
hostility 70 the North and t> industrial policy
which has made the Democratic party wha
il is.
No great measure of craftsmanship or WIS
dom will be assooatcd in American ms
tory with Mr. Randals name because bchlh'
him and around him was political force npoI
which he had to depend for all accomplish
mcnt. and 70 which even the qualified wisdom
and NEGATIVE craftsmanship that he ven'urc'
10 display were offensive. What he nigh
have been. if Democratic incapacity ana plan
,ation hatred of industrial independence mac
NOT swallowed him as a qucsSand swallow
IFS victim. no one can tell. Had he been by
shade more truly statesman ana shadc les
willing to Stoop for partyS sake to the arts
the dcmagoguc he could never have rcachc'
thc honor of the SpcakcrShip, which was 'akci
from him when the Southern wing OF his par'.
had mounted far enough TO kick away It's lad
ders. His was the natural fate OF Northern
men who serve Southern party rather tha'
their country.