The sun., 1890-03-12
What VIII You Take, Colonel 2

Our esteemed religious contemporary
Col. ELLIOTT FEARNAUGHT SHEPARD, con-
tinues to rotate rapidly and splendiferously
on his political axis. Never, perhaps, has his
activity been greater. AS journalist ha
cuffs and floors with texts and discourses
politicians whose devotion to goodness is
less than his own. AS an orator he rivals
the Hon. JOHN JUPITER OBRIEN in the ad-
miration If not in the affections OF the Busi-
ness Mems Republican Organization. AS a
diplomatist, reconcler, and persuader he
appeals to the midrlffs and minds Of the Re-
publican district statesmen by means Of
sweet reflections at the Union League Club.
AS friend OF temperance he allows no
wines to have their names printed upon the
bill OF fare OF his banquet to the ward
bosses. AS philosophic observer OF human
nature In its strength and in weakness he
irrigates the arid outlets OF those powerful
and peculiar persons with cooling rills OF
champagne. AS an advocate not Of a mere
Worlds Fair. but Of Globes Fair, -he
stokes the fires Of New York's patriotism,
and cries out against Chicago with exceed
ing bitter cries At every point and from
every point OF the horizon the unfading and
indefRtigable Colonel is visible and audible.
Tho children In the asylums for the deaf
have heard his voice. The blind will find
no peace In their souls and fingers until
some specimens OF his sugary eloquence
and his fell inveotive have been carved In
raised letters. Mover, in fact, has he been
90 bustling. 80 buOyant, so surchRrged with
ideas. SO mighty and SO beautiful: like
Paris handsome and like HECTOR brave"
In view OF the rich Towering of Col. SHEP-
ARDS genius at this time. politicians are
asking themselves, with bulging eyes, What
will he be in the Fall if he is so lively and
cocky In the Spring? They begin to feel
that 1t is getting to be time for him TO de-
clare his intentions. What does he mean by
witching the people OF this town, Of this
State. Of this nation? Is he determined to
become a vote-winner2 II so. what field
will he choose for the display OF his opulent
and varied powers? Does he want to be
Mayor. or does he prefer to run for Governor,
or-the greatest is behind. His preliminary
canvass for something or other seems to
have begun already. At least all good men
will hope and believe 80. Millions OF future
voters, yet unborn, will regret hereafter that
they could not have the chance to vote for
Col SHEPARD or against him. Let us pity
posterity. Yet posterty, We may be sure
will do Justice to the Colonel set him down
on her tablets, and cherish his memory. This
happier generation may be allowed to see
his name on a ticket. unless the Colonel
gives up to the Fifth avenue stages and
tho moral and Sabbatical. as distinguished
from the strictly political, progress OF his
countrymen. what was meant for mankind.
Will Brother SHEPARD name his office?
What will he take Would 1t not be best for
him to begin with the Mayoralty? Ifhe gets
that. the sGovernOrship, that Is to say, the Re-
publican nomination thereto, is his as sure as
fate Is fate or as eggs Is eggs" What
Bcrambling and sprawling OF the Republicans
there will be il he reaches out his accom-
plished hippers for the nomination. Who
could Withstand him? He is the foster child
OF Fame, his forehead is gilded, his genius,
as has been truly said of him, is multifa-
rious. Would any OF the wicked bosses in
wards beyond the educational aud sprituous
influence OF the Union League dare to try
and sell him out1 Not much. Vice would
stink away before that falcon eye. To be
sure, the unregenerate bosses might, In
tho picturesque and expressive idiom Of de
Ate. "pull his leg for de boodle." which 10
TO say In the bolder patois OF Chicago.
make him "uncork his swag." But who is
more generous than the Colonel when he
knows that the object for which contribu-
tions are solicited from him is worthy
oneH Tho boys would be very glad TO have
him become candidate for Mayor or for
Governor. 1t may be true that he belongs
technically to the better element, but he
isn't proud. He is willing, for example,
to make speech before any body OF men,
women, or children that will listen to him.
Could anything be more democratic and
Offable The Colonel's body may be familiar
to FIT Avenyer, but his heart is with the
Republican lodging houses. and wherever
else there are Republican votes. II petty
jealousies do not prevent his nomination,
hO will run like water from burst reservoir.
1t is not for us or anybody to tell states