The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-10-10
The Crime Of Inactivity.

In the speech Of Mr.. GROVER CLEVELAND
as printed in advance and supplied to the
newspapers, there occurred this passage:
we seek further the Empire state in he,
Democratic steadcastness and seek to win victory
which shall redeem the pledges have made to regard
constantly the interests of the people Of tho land and
which shall give hope and confidence to the National
Democracy in the struggles yet to come. With these
incentives and with these purposes In view cannot be-
lieve that any Democrat be guilty OF lukewarm
ness slothfulncss."
As actually delivered to the meeting in
the Cooper Institute hail. the written senti-
ment took this form:
We seek further to secure In. Empire State in her
Democratic seadfastness and sock to win victory
which shall redeem tn. pledges have made to regard
constantly the interests of the people Of the land and
which shall give hope and confidence to the National
Democracy In the struggles yet to come. With these
incentives and with these purposes In view cannot
believe that any Democrat can be entity OF lukewar
ness Inactivity"
The variation is not unimportant al
though it is confined to Il single word. the
last in tho passage quoted. Slothfulness
and inactivity are not precisely the same
thing. Slothfulness may produce inactlv-
ity. and inactivity may be slothfulness: but
there can be inactivity OF a very deliberate
and pernicious sort which Is the result Of
anything but slothfulness.
One year ago yesterday there was COM
plcted a political bargain by which certain
friends Of the Hon. GROVER CLEVELAND al
lied themselves with THOMAS G. PLAT and
his local machine in an effort to defeat the
Democracy. The Democratic party Of the
nation was ut that time in situation as
critical as any in its history. The Congress
elections were few weeks away.
Tho Republican party. strongly in
trencheG in power. was audaciously.
aggressiveIy. and insolently pursuing a
policy which threatened the liberties OF
the citizen and assailed what the Demo-
cratic faith holds as most precious. The
immense Importance OF the contest in New
York was recognized in every part OF the
country. North, south. cast. and west, Dem
oorats were looking to their brethren In
this town for the steadfastness which. in the
words of Nj CLEVELAND on Thursday last
should give hope and confidence in the
struggles yet to come. This was the
time chosen by the next friends and
followers OF Mr.. CLEVELAND for their con-
spiracy with THOMAS G. PLATT to overthrow
Democratic Government In the city OF New
York. This was the time when the personal
admirers OF Mr.. CLEVELAND were most
active in behalf Of the anti Democratic can
didates. This was the time when they were
warmly scconding the efforts OF Mr.. PLATT's
agent. FAssErT, uo discredit Democratic
Government in New York by means Of Il
partisan attack transparency disguised as
Legislative investigation. And this was
the time when the Hon. GROVER CLEVELAND
neither lifted his hand nor opened his mouth
to assist or encourage by deed or word the
Democrats who were fighting for the DEM
ocratic cause.
Does he not believe that under such cir
cumstances any Democrat can be guilty Of
lukewarmness Lukewarmncss is n mild
description OF the offence Of which he was
guilty only twelve months ago. Does 1t
seem strange tn him that with the National
Democracy looking to New York for hope
and confidence. any Democrat in New York
can be guilty of slothfulness? Slothfulness
implies mere personal sluggishness. and
defines on offence which Is n misdemeanOr
rather than crime. Has he made up his
mind that inactivity is the better word
We agree with him. for inactivity may be
premeditated and deliberately selfish.