New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-04
TROUBLE IN THE CAMP.

TROUBLE IN THE CAMP
Good men everywhere have observed with
main an increasing GOODNESS between the DEMO
cratic Party proper and the Mugwlimp Contn-
gent. 1t would be difficult to conceive OF any
thing more disastrous to pure politics and coca
government than permanent breach between
these two bulwarks of free institutions. Yet II
;s very evident that the relations between the
two which were lately so cordial and harmonious
are becoming, as the diplomatists say, more and
more strained Unless oil of some kind, fusil or
other is poured on the troubled waters pretty
soon the chances are that somebody's nose will
be broken. The differences grow out OF he
Sneakership contest 1t is contended with great
force by the Mugwump Contingent that without
the aid of the best thinkers g the Democracy
would not be the aggressive, Intelligent ana IN
telligible organization that it Is" 1.-The New
York Times,n from which we quote, does not
hesitate 10 say that except for the Contingent
the Democratic party "would be as helpless as
the Native American or Know Nothing party to
command the immense vote that it has COM
manded in the North and Northwest 1t is that
movement. with the vital force of the sound and
timely idea that animates it, that has lifted the
party from the feebleness into which IL had 1ali-
en- and made it a powerful instrument for the
accomplishment of great National purpose"
In this view all the best thinkers agree. In
deed, the statement might be enlarged. Inc
best thinkers believe that " the vital force OF the
sound and timely idea that animates" them has
not only lifted up the Democracy, but that 1t
lifts I'D and holds up pretty much everything
else in the universe.
1t is not strange, therefore, that after having
lifted the Democratic party up out OF feeoleness
and imbecility by the vital force OF their SOUND
and timely idea and their supreme Intelligence
they should desire, so to speak, to run the party
Being modest, however they only reach for what
is in sight. That happens to be the Speaker
shin of the House. On the question who shall
be Speaker they have fully made up their minds
They want Mr. Mills, of Texas. Great modera-
ton is shown in this demand. They might have
insisted on young Mr.. Hoar or Mr.. George Fred
eric Williams or Mr.. John F. Andrew, OF Massa-
cbusetts but they showed self-sacrficlng
shirt and took Mills. This, in the first place,
because Mills is ian active, sagaclous, 1aithiul
and trusted leader" of the movement started by
the Mugwump Contingent which has made the
Democratic Party aggressive, intelligent and
intelligible.n 1t is chiefly owing to Mills and
several dinners he has eaten in Boston and the
soul stirring remarks he has made at those din
ners that Massachusetts, has become SO nearly
revolutionized that strong hopes are entertained
that the Republicans will not carIy the state IN
1892 by more than $4,000 or 10000 majority
He has also powerfully affected Connecticut by
his Gift at repartee he having once brought down
a Democratic meeting in that State by telling a
| man who asked him question about the tar1ff
| to 20 soak his head" So that Connecticut may
now be counted doubtful.
Having agreed upon Mills, the Mugwump Con-
tingent has been somewhat disguised to find that
the Democratic Party proper which has been
lifted I'D cut of feebleness by the Contingent,
has other candidates, as for instance, Crisp and
Springer and McNlilln, and various other per-
sons. Not only that, but some OF these can
didates are supported by newspapers which have
heretofore spoken dsrespectfully of the best
thinkers So now they say there is no gratitude
in men or in parties, and that if this thing keeps
ON it will create hard feeling, and they don't
like it at all. If Crisp should be elected Speak
or after the best thinkers have said they non
| want him, everything would be at risk Inc
Contingent mlght not Wlthurd", ~ po SUM- i''
there is no place for them to withdraw to-they
certainly would not undertake to 60 it alone
but they would be dissatisfied, and possibly
might refuse to hold up the party any longer.
Indeed, the Mugwump Contingent in the COM
ing Congress might go so far as to refuse to en-
tighten the world on " the sound and timely
dea.'' And that, of course, would make an end
of everything. The Democratic Party would
cease to be aggressive, intelligent and intel
igible" and Congress would simply 60 out In
darkness. No wonder "The Times" calls it
"A Critical Hour" There has not been such a
critical hour since Grover Cleveland was per-
suaded by Richard Croker to take the stump Tor
| Roswell Flower.
Make it up brethren, do! Let the Mug
wumps have their way. Nothing else will make
Democracy "nteIligent and Ineligible"