New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-24
Tile WORK TO BE DONE.

Va
this State whether they will have Tammany
govern it or not. For one thing is already GER
tain-some thousands of Democrats are gong
to support Mr.. Fassett Some because they
like him appreciate his abilities and character
and his knowledge of State affairs. Others
because they do not like to have Democratic
candidate thrust upon them who represents
stockiobbing and Wall Street speculation, and
is likely to have no sympathy whatever with
farmers and artisans and others engaged in lives
of toll and productive industry. Some because
they know that Tammany is rotten and that It's
methods are debasing. Some because they want
to rebuke dctators of party in this or that coun-
ty. Others because the tariff agitation, which
Democratic success would make far more des-
perate next year, Injuries business and ought to
be stopped. The only question remaining Is
whether the Republicans themselves will take
the trouble to vote. Democrats now know that
their chance of success depends mainly upon
expected neglect Of Republicans. If the full
Republican vote is cast, or even moderately
full vote, the Democrats who oppose Iammany
Hall and favor Mr.. Fassett should make de-
cisive victory certain. But if $4,000 Demo
Gratis vote for Fassett, and 10000 Repub-
licans are lazy and stay at home, the result will
not be such as the friends of good government
have a right to expect
There are two kinds of Indifference. This
year there is no reason to fear that which comes
from discomfort and factional disputes. The
Republican force is moro united and harmonious
than it has been for years past. The other kind
of indifference, which comes from selfish prefer
ence of ease, of business, or private gain to the
welfare Of the country, exists always more or
less. 1t is that alone upon which Democrats
count, and which they will try to increase. As
matters stand, the people do not appear indiffer-
ent. Reports from all parts of the State are
that the interest of the people in this campaign
is unusually aroused. The warmth of welcome
given throughout the State to the gallant head
of the Republican ticket, the magnitude and
enthusiasm of the meetings held are signs Of
hope The careful canvass of experienced man
ayers indicates that the proportion of Repub-
lican voters who will do their duty this year
without persuasion or urging will be larger than
usual But that is not enough. percentage
may yet neglect to register or to vote. 1t may
be large enough to defeat the reasonable hopes
Of half million earnest men who know that
this State ought not to be governed by Tam
many Hall. The work for Republicans who
mean to do their whole duty this year is 10
wake up their neighbOrs and see that not one
neglects the duty of registering and voting
Time in argument may be wasted they can
save votes by making every Republican under
stand that he is false to his convictions, false
to his duty as good citizen of this State, if
he does not do what he can this year to insure
the defeat of the, Tammany ring.
1t is whispered that the Democrats have a
shrewd plan to magnify Indifference. They
cannot buy votes this year with much certainty
Of getting what they buy. But they may hire
mon to stay away from the registry, and when
the last day has gone can pay them cash for
depriving themselves Of their power to be hon
est citizens That viii not be buying votes (;
oh. no The law will have nothing to say to
that attempt, perhaps. The taker and the gver
of the bride can laugh at penalties, and the
returns will show only an increase of indffer-
ence. But are there men who will sell their
right to vote so Cheaply? Morally, the man
who takes pay for ncglecting his duty this year
is exactly as guilty as the man who is hired to
vote for Tammany Hall and the rascas who
rule it, The business of Republicans in every
city and town is to make sure, as far as they
can by personal effort, that every Republican
of their acquaintance or knowledge registers
and votes. They can do more by personal
effort with men who cannot but feel ashamed
if they refuse to discharge their duty than all
the committees ever organized.