New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-12
DANGERS OF THE REPUBLIC.
THE PATRIA SOCIETY SOUNDS AN ALARM.
INDIFFERENCE OF THE INTELLIGENT AND THE

INDIFFERENCE OF THE INTELLIGENT AND THE
POWER OF DFMAGOGUES \ MENACE.
In the gold room Of Louis Sherry the members Of
the patria Cmb discussed civic questions and talked
Of THE Impending Peril OF Our Republic until a
hate hour last night Nearly 100 men and women
were present and the grave nature of the subject
did not cast chill the social features OF inc
evening. Since the club was formed. few months
sxo the membership has greatly increased and 1t
has created renewed interest In affairs OF government
and citizenship Last evening resolutions were adopted
empowering the president, exJudge William II. Ar
noux TO appoint committees to suggest fuller IN
stuctions in civios In the public schools. ana aSo
to provide for popular lectures upon political science
The discussion was opened in a speech by Elhs H.
Roberts. who said in part
The immediate peril, which is chief and arrays many
mischefs with itself is miltarism in politics III IS
carefully stated and deliberately defended by Richard Croker
recent contribution in "The North American Review"
The contrasts "a mob and a military BATTALION
and lets them stand respectively for the people and
political party. With Mr.. Cookers plan even the ring
and bossisn contrast as exctesccnces on rule by
people with the military discipline OF
Moltke, with the system Of camp and battlefield
The alternative self. In party as wcll as
n State Parties like the State need leaders, not dct"tors
the leader, definite by equals whose
right to advise the grounds ana
extends to the sane limits Unless the equality OF man Is
recognized the OF parties how can we expect
sacred and enduring In the institutions ana govern
ment which they control
The peril In Immigration less in the numbers than in
the character those who come to us. Inc deadly
phus Mans. the scum CT prisons, the besot'ed the
depraved everywhere. The Lordes OF disease
ignorance plupersn crime foes the republic, anc
laws TO keep them out restrictions such invasons
necessary forts and ships and great guns against
hostile armies and the fleets of enemies Corruption IN
high place has recently exposed in Russia IN Austria.
IN Germany in France; and although Britain has changed
better days wapoe the millennium has
and in the army it clamed that 20 per
Of ell expenditures wasted But not max
ing comparisons This of danger has arisen TO
alornIne proportions in our country in our times
The whole question of the relations of capital and lator
belongs that controversy IS not peculiar
to country do believe that 1t constitutes seii
peril the republic. The problem is difficult goes
TO the marrow Of society and civilization and underlies
politics and the Church. In rush and magnitude OF
production and the diversity OF Industry it is pressing and
monentous 1t deserves it receives the feus consdera
ton Of the best minds. In th country where the abo:e
OF the morning capitalist of the afternoon and the
fortune Of yesterday is followed by poverty of to-day
discussion be heated. have exciting Incidents
but it will accept the decisions Of the majority.
The overmsstesing peril Of beloved republic is
that the Of the people is kept 4, reserve r. suffered
to sleep. become srathet.c and negligent. Public
opinion republic. 1t must direct cleo
lions. inspire legislation. be master OF administration
When municipal affairs ta the mre, 10 is because the
citizens no, waehful and active in their duty When
the Capitol given bandits. IL IS bcsuse the
popular aloud because patriotism
does its cOurge and lsh the Isscas from the
temple
Most sudacious most incxcusable asssling the very
Institutions wcs against the
ballot and fnaity recorded viii Of
tie majority. TIE ballot box the ark OF government
and Le who lays unhoy hoads upon it, on any pre;eNt
whatever Of OF party. foe 70 the republic such
crimes prolific OF Kind In nOnstrous forms
The by which 0. coloed sup
pressed mlscouhted the put power into tie
hands OF the reckless and violent against their
felIowwldes. The overthrow Of tc unquestoned will OF
the majority
the returns Of election o; November
advantage to political party only 10 subject that party 10
the absolute control the who plotted the scheme
Ind drove it through against justice, far play, law, and
against the undoubted popular will.
DR.. A. W. LOzcr then cave his ideas Of what was
best for the welfare OF American citizens, and told
how the pcIils that threaten the Republic might be
sverted. He said in substance:
one-thrd OF ctzcas fail vote because they fear
he jury list. will sacrifice hour from business.
consider suffrage privilege, not duty sacred debt
be PAID the state. To these country good
nough fortune but protest against
emagogues. Thus fast drifting toward anarchy
apathy Will inevitably lead TO the overthrow Of
tutional government n the state collect taxes.
nforce education. compel jury and military duty why
should II not maintain claim upon the votes Of the cit
zcni Why should no, failure to vote be punishcdl In.
forced suffrage Is the only safety Of the Republic
Colonel C. H. Denison, the next speaker, made some
scathng remarks about Ncw-York State politics. A
state sman remarked" said Colonel Dcnson, that
I've would rather his brother under tombstone
han called practical politician" Many a millionaire
has been placed in Congress, crowding out
some aspiring genius who has devoted years
10 qualifying himself to ill the place
Of which money corruption has deprived him.
There times when the Of force is right
ard necessary. 1t would have been in accord with
these views if the people last fall when they behed
the conspiracy to revolutonize the state had
held meetings aud lad expressed their indg
nation at the great wrong that was to be
done. II their protests were not needed
IA every city and county they should have organized
vigilance committee. and marching 10 Albany 100000
strong surrounded David Bennett Mn and threatened
~ hang him TO the nearest lsmppost unless ne called
upon the accounting boards Of the state 10 show
spect for the laws.
In the opinion OF William Ives Washburn the great
evils that endangered the life Of the Republic were
the power OF money, indifference and the general alb
,ence OF principle In political affairs.
Among those present Warner Miller, ex dSe
W. H.. Arnoux, Warren Higey Daniel G. Thompson, ex
Judge Noah Davis, the Rev. DR.. and Mrs. David II.
Greer. Mr. and Mrs: La safe 4. Maynard, Miss
the Rev. DR.. W. S. Ransford, Professor Norman Fox,
Joseph n Halock, Dr. ard Mrs A ".
Grs ssa NJ s %tss cG 61 M
Mrs. Leander II. Grail Mr.. and Mrs f. W. Dillingham;,
the Rev. Dr. ard Mrs W: II. De Puy. Herbert IL.
Mrs. Psyson Merrill, Professor and Mrs. E. II.
Cook, Mr.. and Mrs. f. II. Hitchcock, Edward ii.
Dr. NJ Jackson mey newton ey Russell starSs
George F. seward, A. Spadone J. H. Cowperthwslt
and W. ii. Coombs
FOR HE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
The friends Of the late Henry Edwards have sub