The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1892-12-09
NO. 48


was but three weeks away did the Re-
publican managers believe il had been
accomplished atall. Almost to the last
they were depending upon treachery in
the Democratic camp to help them carry
the state for Harrison-treachery which
of course never showed itself, and which
Mr.. Whitney knew was impossible.
However little we may like the result
Of this brilliant management, we must
greatly admire it, and an argument in
favor of my theory that fidelity, fair
play and friendship are more powerful
factors in politics than selfshness is
found In the principle which guided Mr..
Whitney in his work and the methods
which he adopted. Peace was not
wrought in New York by trades" or
bargains with the various factions, "a
many think. The famous Victoria hotel
dinner, at which Mr.. Cleveland had as
guests the very men who at Chicago had
fought him like tigers and declared lie
could never carry New York in the cleo
ton, was not the occasion Of ratihca-
ton of a compact or treaty.
Mr.. Whitney had moved upon the a.
sumption that all the leaders of these
factions or organizations were, first Of
all, Democrats; that If they could be sat
isfied all the past WAS TO be forgotten.
The states wiped clean and the future
to be what they might make it, ire
spective of all past differences, they
would be willing to assume responsible
ity, each in his section or city, for Dem
ocratic success. The Victoria hotel din
ner gave this assurance Mr. Cleveland
satisfied Croker, Murphy, Sheehan. Nc
Laughlin that their cause was COM
mon, and that in success all would
share.
This was the crisis Of the campaign,
so far as New York state was concerned.
Immediately that followed which Whit
ney had fo-eseen. Responsibility was
accepted by each Of the three organiza-
tons, and with this accomplished Whit
ney for the first time felt that the battle
was won. In his philosophy-and it is
this wholesome phase of human nature
even in politics that am trying 10 lay
stress on-the chances are ninety-nine out
of hundred that the man who accepts
responsibility will do his best TO succeed
Once III the batkle men never desert. IL
there are sti'agglers from the camp, IL
there is treachery afoot, look for them
before the fight has begun or not at ALL
A political campaign is much like
battle anyway. Get a man i'm it with
a saber or Inusket in his hand, and he
will fight, 10 matter with what reluc-
lance he may have entered. The more
he fights the better he likes fighting;
the more power in his arm the more in
tense his desire for victory. 1t was rec
ognition of this principle Of human ma
tpre which enabled Whitney 10 win
New York for Cleveland. When the
Hill men aud the Tammany men took
hold of the work of the campaign they
did not themselves believe they would
fight with SO much effectiveness.
At first they were somewhat perfume
tory in their efforts, Indifferent. That
was seen by all. 1t was seen by Whit
ney of course. But he did not lose his
head and go rushing about Angering
people by punching them and prodding
them. He bided his time and did not
have long TO wait. The enemy did more
in a week to rouse them than he could
have done In ten years. The battle
warmed them up, and they charged 10
win.
What is true in this respect Of the
Democratic side in New York is true
also of the Republicans. There, too,
were factions holding aloof; danger Of
Indifference, even treachery. The Re
publicans, again, had counterpart OF
the Victoria hotel dinner in the meeting
of President Harrison with Mr.. Plat
and others at Ophir farm. Here was ac-
eeptance of responsibility which brought
loyalty and earnestness IN its wake.
Selfishness is not the dominant motive
in politics. Throughout the country in
the recent campaign thousands Of men
gave of their time and money 20 the
party of their choice through pure love
for that party. with 10 thought Of tangi-
BILE reward. The illustration which /
have made in the case of Mr.. Whitney
would be equally true in untold number
of other personal experiences. Worthy Of
special note is the cuse Of Mr.. ClarlIson,
who was denied seat in the cabinet by
President Harrison, who, at the presi-
dents request, stepped down from the
Craftsmanship Of the national committee,
who would have no Office in President
Harrisou's gift, aud yet Clarkson worked
night and day with rare skill and genius
to compass Mr.. HagrisOn's success.
Another case ii that of Don Diclgin-
son, Of Mic, gan. For six months his
private business has had no attention
from him. lie has given all his time
and much Of his money TO the Cleveland
cause. Now that the campaign Is over
the general superstition Of course Is
that Dickinson will have seat in tho
cabinet. l happen to know lac could
have this honor If he wanted it, but
that lac viii not accepi Office under the
new administration
WALTER WELLMAH.