The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-17
Only Plat Remains.

ctuHeu fTopnet as MS weapon.
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Only Plat Remains.
Still another addition was made on Sntlir-
day TO the long and discournging list OF
? Republican statesmen who. to escape the
peril and infliction OF n Republican nomi-
nation for Governor this year. have taken
refuge on tho high seas. This was STEWART
J.. WoopFoHD OF Brooklyn, who, safely
secreted upon La 7our0rc, bid defiance
to fate and TON PLATT, and found
political immunity in timely flight.
Tho detection. at this critical stage, OF
WooDroED must TO the more exasperating
to the Republican leaders for the reason that
he was regarded as the one member Of tho
grand old party In New York who would
never refuse nomination. HIS departure
is stunning and unexpected surprise for
tho candidate hunters.
Tho Generals leavetaking at this crisis IS
also to DO dcplored on other grounds, and
especially because 1t reduces to low eAh
tie prospective stock OF harmless enjoy
mcnt certain to have been evolved from his
candidacy. He was, as We nll know. tho
Republican nominee for Governor twenty
years ago. and his temperance upon the
scene OF politics after this RIP VAN W1NKLE
absence would certainly have been divert
Ing, and as exciting. perhaps, in its way
as DrstAs's romance Of Twenty Years
Later. Undoubtedly many persons, such
Is the perversity OF electors ON occa-
slons of this character, would have
insisted that 1t was another WooDPoRD, as
II there could DO two Of the brand, that led
the Republicans to defeat twenty years ago
Men who are in the wrong are the hardest
to convince, and the controversies to which
this question would have given rise would
have warmed the memories OF many a
cornef-grocery statesman in the interior
counties in the cold and bleak autumn even
ings now approaching. But it Is not to be;
WooDFoBD Is gone, and with him the issues,
the memories. and the political episodes
Of 1870.
Considering that the General is not to be
the Republican standard bearer, any re-
hesrsal Of his claims and qualifications
seems almost to be adding tho insult Of
reminder to the injury OF enforced de-
psrture. But this circumstance does not
deter Col. ELLIOTT F. SHEPARD from telling
his Republican friends what they have
lost. Blessings are ever brightest as
they take flight, and WooDFpRD seemed
greatest at tho very hour OF Weighing
anchor. His middle name. 1t appears, Is
LINDEN; his paternA grandfather "ft into
the Revolution" HAYES liked him, and
many Democrats. had he been nominated,
would quietly alp In ballot for him."
His oratory. says Col. SHEPARD. Is most
moving when impromptu. "Like MARC
ANTONY. he speaks right on and carries the
people with him."
It Is hard to appreciate at it's full value all
that has been lost, for Col. SHEPARD also
tells us that WooDFoRD was not In youth
given to melancholy moods, although he
read BYRON and other poets Of that school,"
Not. however, until he had been the Re.
publican candidate for Governor did the
General fully understand the mortuary mis-
cries OF existence. the sorrows OF life. and
the hopelessness Of unsatisaed ambition.
Compared with his experience as Republi-
can candidate he must have deemed BY
RoNs Manfred" story OF riotous jol-
lily, and 1.-THE Prisoner OF Chillon" fun
uudulated and joyousness run wild.
just. however. as everything was pre-
parod for the emerging, after twenty
years. If MARC ANTONY WooDFoRD from
the gloom OF defeat, and just as the Repub-
leans wero about 10 lit him out OF the
slough OF despond, he. too. falters and
makos his escape! In the contemplation OF
all this. how sad Is the sedate declaration
Of Col. SHEPARD: mo mistake could have
been made by nominating this popular clti-
zen, distinguished jurist. valiant soldier, and
patriotic Republican"
No. indeed! But he has gone to Europe,
tho objective point OF all Republican candi-
dates for Governor OF New York this year;
and nothing will be seen Of him, OF his
wlskers. until some other victim has been
securely placed upon his nomination pins,
to lead the PLATr march to disaster In No
vember.
There Is 1t Is only fair TO admit, no Demo-
.erat within tho boIder OF the Empire State
who would not have enjoyed tho prospect Of
WooDFoRD at the head OF the Republican
ticket. But 1t Is not to be. and that appears
To 10 oil thcre Is to it.
There is ono man who refuses persist
emily TO Join tho procession Of Republican
Rbscntces whose faces arc turned to the
rising sun. and who are leaving Rochester
behind them. THOMAS COLLIER PLArT Is
still at tho old stand. IIe has a dead cinch
on the Republican nomination. bound round
with woolen string. and firmly held
against nil corners and gOers.
VIII PLATT decline. too, when the time
comes? Albany IS IA miles distant, ard
Europe 5000 miles.
Np Million oph Mr. porpalI