The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-09-22
Candidates,

:. 10 can b asserted confidently now that
khen the campaign Of this fall shall be over.
" win agree that the speeches uttered by
Dhe Hon. ROSWELL p. FLOWER on tho stump
sWere infinitely superior to bis address In the
Comparative seclusion Of the nominating
convention. In feeling Of awe at having
Atiast attained an honor which had long daz-
Eeled his Imagination as bewilderingly as 1t
had any other Of his true and patriotic fell
dow citizens. Mr.. FLOWER permitted himself
Pto assume an attitude Of modesty and mis-
nErust Of his ability to do Justice to his ex-
pocted opportunities. which certainly bellies
bis actual fitness for the place. In the
middle OF . short and sensible address nc
Nepting the nomination Mr.. Flower said
"Iaocspt your nomination kecn,y realizing It's great
Responsibilities. an not orator as IL my distin.
SUuishsd opponent am plain business man. and
Dsomiss you thae elected 10 tho high oce for which
3yeu have named me. win remain . plain business
nan plain business Executive"
There Is radical misconception here Of
the nature Of q Governors functions that
We feel does injustice to Mr.. Flowers own
sohsracter as public man. Tho Governor
of State. besides being the chief admlnis-
traitor Of Its affairs and the guardian OF the
popular interests. Is also the natural
head Of his party and the protector
end promoter Of Its politics. The
selection Of Mr.. FLOWER for the honor ut
which he Is now so happy. and we re-
5oice with him. was no breach Of the un-
written law that no important candidate Is
ever chosen purely for his success and
familiarity with commerce. There is a de-
fusion now booming among the farmers. In
the regions where the Alliance Is active.
that the business Of making laws should be
taken away from men trained to under
etand tho nature OF law and habtu-
ated to respect both Its mandates and
limitations. and put it under the control
OF the agriculturists.
This Ia only part Of the narrow view Of
Affairs into which Mr.. Flowers inpulsive
modesty momentarily crowded him. The
ideal surrounding candidate. OF q man ex-
perienced and known in public service. COM
petent to deal with men engaged in the
same occupation. able to comprehend n pub
Lie measure and foresee its effect with the
mind OF q statesman skilled In divining
popular feeling. fertile In the ideas that
spring successfully from his party's princl-
pies and ready to present them in manner
to strengthen and popularize his party's
policy. must always be the supreme intlu-
ence which can affect political can
vass. That would have been the great
force In an effort to elect tho Hon.
ALFRED C. CHAPLIN Of Brooklyn. although
1t is noticeable that there was signal
failure 80 to offer his advantages for tho
consideration Of tho late Democratic Con-
vention at Saratoga. No real and lasting
statesman ever rose into distinction for
other qualifications than those OF states
man.
But we invite Mr.. FLOWER to review his
own career In public life. When he exam
ines that. he will perceive that not one
single stop In his remarkable progress does
he owe solely to the admirable commercial
qualities with which he allegorically over
whelmed himself In Saratoga. We are salts
fled that he never would have moved be-
yond the first PRONUNCIATION Of his Saratoga
platform II he had not also displayed the
talents and abilities OF statesman and
politician equipped with vastly wider ia
miliarity with the Indispensable require
ments and the high ideals OF public life than
the humble and inexperienced merchant
whom he depicted in the supreme moment
OF his gratitude.