New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-24
UNION LEAGUE POLITICS.
TALK ABOUT THE CLUBS APPROACHING
ELECTION.
MANY REPUBLICAN MEMBERS AROUSED OVER
DEMOCRATIC ACIIv1Ty-THE oRGAYI,
ZATIoN,s TRADITIONS.

The approaching annual election of officers of
the Union League Club of New-York, TO be
held January IA. 1892, is already subject of
increasing Interest among members Of that
gamzation; in fact, within certain limits con-
siderable feeling is aroused though not to a
degree which is likely to disturb the harmony of
club relations
The origin and early accomplishments Of this
organization were due TO and honoraby asso-
ciated with the patriotic task of subduing the
great Rebellion, and the prime consideration Of
membership was and il absolute and unqualified
loyalty to the Government of the United States
Many Democrats subscribed TO this when the
League formed, and these remained when
the association developed later, under charter
privileges, into one of the great clubs of the
metropolis. The close of the war was followed
in the progress Of time by recasiing of political
opinions resulting from the controversies of the
reconstruction PERIOD the various interpretations
of the acts of the Grant Administration, the
peculiar incidents and bearings of the Liberal
Republican movement OF 1872, the Tiden-Hayes
contest Of ls76'77, and later the free trade pro
lection discussions and political battles, which
may be said to be still in progress Meanwhile
many OF the original Democratic members of the
cluo lapsed into the ranks of the party Of their
early choice, believing it 10 be thoroughly purged
of disloyal tendencies and also doubtless oellev-
ing that It's later aims were pure, patriotic and
destined TO promote the highest principles Of
free government. While many of the older men,
bers of this class have died, their places have
been filled by sons relatives or Others whom
they Endorsed for membership, and who represent
similar political views Furthermore, some of the
younger men who vouched for and entered
as true Republicans have drifted, through bust
ipfa aAa tnfu infp
aliliation with the Democratic party on the lines
of tariff reform
The advance Of these insinuating elements into
the affairs of the organization has been watched
with reasonable concern by those members of the
club who represent the more radical ideas and
principles of the Republican party To check their
progress resolutions have been adopted by the
management, requiring that admission to member
ship Shall be declaration upon honor by the cam
didate chat he is Republican in a strict party
sense, ard that he shall receive affirmative in
dorsement Of the fact by qualified sponsors. The
provisions of such resolutions have been strictly re-
garded and the utmost care has been exercised
in the matter of inquiring into the political
affiliations Of every one seeking membership. 1t
is plain therefore, that the prevailing sentiment is
that the Union League is Republican club. In
his address in January last accepting his sixth
election president of the club, Chauncey NJ
Depew, after briefly reviewing the purposes and
history of the Union League Club, said;
1t gave It's influence TO the measures OF reconstruc
ton II dd yeonan service for the restoration OF specie
complaints OF the heresies Of fiat money and an
GmpresnabIe fortress q sound currency and honest
government IN the city and state; 1t began the bat
time OF the fraudulent defeat Of John A. Griswold for
Governor in 1868 and has labored ndustrously for any
legislation which would secure The untrammelled eX-
of the DOplar will the right citizen
TO cast one vote and the unqueStoned connt OF that
has been, is, and hope will always continue to be
political club. IT Is also attached in its general
that of the Of the strength and reputation
OF the organization. wish that the Democratic
strength, and that the Independents or reformers
whatever they may call themselves, who are too wise
have a home which would be National in its repre-
sentative character.
Mr.. Depew's review of the legislation which
the Union League had been instrumental in per-
fecting included about every measure which the
Democratic party has most vigorously opposed
His positive 'and official declaration accompanied
| by such summing up of meritorious accomplish
meDt. that the Union League is attached in it's
| general principles TO one Of the great National
parties would, it is said, undoubtedly suggest to
| an intelligent Democrat such may be found in
the Union League Club, that the party referred to
was not the one with which he was himself dcn
titled and that he was consequently out Of his po-
ltical element of its members; while the
presidents kindly expressed wish that the Demo
cratic party and the independents or reformers
should have clubs OF their own might easily have
been construed as pointing the way out of an
harrassing difficulty for all to whom it applied
But some even of the representatives Of the more
radical element excuse the existence in the club Of
Democrats who entered before the organization
raised the pronounced Republican standard a
| condition of membership Respecting those, how
ever who have lspsed since their admission as Re-
publicans, it is held that while man may hon
estly experience change in his political opinions
under the stress of temporary interest or exped
ency, il should by means subject him 10 harsh
criticism the grounds Of breach of good taste II
he should retire under such circumstances from all
organization which requires him to subscribe to
his political faith before his name can be entered
upon the rolls of it's membership.
But the Union League Club is an honorable
body Of gentlemen. As Mr. Dcpew also said in
his last address, "a membership of the Union
League Club is a decoration Wherever the man
who has this privilege may be in the country, IT
gives him in that community at once the position
of belonging to ~ club of National power and repu-
tation." In view of such an honor, 1t IS perhaps
only human that no one who enters into such as
sociat ions should wish TO resign no matter what
the change might he that comes over him.
Tie Democrats and - the Independents. or Re
formers. or whatever they may call themselves.
who are credited with having an existence in the
Union League Club do not resign And it is
believed that they more or less active in the
pending election.
Under the bylaws. any twenty-five members
may propose seven names for the Nominating
Committee and at the monthly meeting in Deem
Der. which this wear occurs on the tenth of that
month these seven men elected. II becomes then
their duty 70 name candidates for offices TO be
filed at the ensuing election. which in 1902 will
take place January IA. For many wears the pres
idant FL the December meeting. named the seven