New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-10
THE ALLCRED HILDRETH

Il.,
last week 1t was announced in letter pub
lisbed in "The Ncw-Yorli World,' which was
illustrated by woodcut showing Senator
Brice and Chairman lIarrity, of the Democratic
National Committee, in consultation. Mr.. Har-
ritv in the picture wears a look of deep dis"
,ress. which the Scnator-if the direction Of
his index finger means anything-is attributing
IN colic. The connection of the picture with
tho Uildreth letter, however, leaves it to be
inferred that a rumor has reached the Demo-
cratic National Committee that llidreth is
about TO join the Democratic party, and it is
that and not the collie, that ails llarrity.
We have forborne comment on Hdreth's
action until now, partly to permit our emotions
70 subside and partly because the occurrence
itself is one Of those large historic events that
cannot be Justly estimated or fairly considered
the day they happen. 1t is the sort OF thing
that needs perspective and background and
historic setting a acknowledgements, so to speak
from things happening about the same time
which. though they affect prices, do not create
enocbs. II is not too much to say that Hill
dreth's action, when first announced, threatened
70 give things in general somewhat serious
wrench. It had been known for several days
that. having been relieved OF various cares on
behalf of the Republican party which had be-
fore occupied his time, he had taken copy OF
the tariff and gone into temporary secluSion
with il for the purpose of finding out whether
rs an honest man, ont of Office and with no
immediate prospect of one. he could conScl-
cntiously continue TO act with the Republicans.
Il was known that he had struck thoughtful
mood but it was not suspected that he had
blood in his eve and had determined TO put
an end TO tho Republican party.
And vet portent> had not been lacking. For
4 fortnight previous not only the sky but the
woods had been full of them. The atmosphere
had ben yellow and shimmering. Men sought
the shade and domestic animals lollcd with
their tongues out Clubmcn looked each other
anXiously in the face and said something was
cc,tlny about TO happen, and asked each
other what it would be. The answer was fire.
onenty "whiskcy' and sometimes beer"
The flight of birds was crooked. Also some
mems. Mount Etna was in eruption. SO was
1.-THE New-Yor Word"-though that was not
accounted phenomenal Mars was in opposi
zion. and 50 was Amos Cummings. Congress
was still in session. trying laboriously 10 find
ont where il was at" In the interior Of the
state "a yellow uOP noN'u Az HlNh'' Ni'H -
everywhere recognized as a sure sign that some
thing is going 10 happen. There has not been
a time since steve Brodc jumped off the Bridge
when everybody felt so nervous. Everything
seemed 10 be pointing TO something especially
the yane on tho Equitable Building and the
hands on the City Hall clock. The general
aspect Of affairs was what poets call-when the
rhvme matches" weird" Such conditions rs
these few years prior to tho Christian era
would have compelled the Roman augrrs to
extend their Office hours and keep open nights
10 answer inquiries. Indeed, it would hardly
have taken a full sized augur 90 see that some
Thing was ON the edge Of happening that would
make Rome howl That was plain enough to
an ordinary eiml Jet.
From these conditions last Friday morning
IIlldreth swan out, 80 10 speak. like one who
had Unexpectedly Z" got in over his head" His
letter appeared As has been said the public
mind had smclt woollcn," as il were, for some
time Everybody knew something was about
to take place but nobody suspected that HI
drcih was getting it up This relieved sls-
pcnse Even Republicans, who knew liildreth
and how important he was 10 the party, said
in shuddcring way that they were glad the
blow had fallen that it was all over and the
worst was known II is not 10 be denied that
there were persons who considered lllldreths
action the turning point of the campaign ana
that the dissolution Of the Republican party
must inevitably follow. How many such there
are cannot be accurately ascertancd but ILL
dreth nav be set down for one. and there are
several counties remaining TO be heard from.
For our own part. we said upon seeing the an
nounccment This is altogether too much
like an epoch starter 10 be monkeyed with on
tbc spur of the moment. Let us hold our
heath until either things begin to crumble or
,be staggering universe shows signs OF steady
mo lid on an even keel 1t seems TO MS now
that the danger is passed and it is possible to
speak of it with calinneSs. The Republican
National Committee are apparently going ahead
lust as though lIildrcth had never gone OIL or
even been loaded We suspect this is q great
surprise 10 IlildIoth.
II seems from his letter that Ilildreth found
upon examining the tariff that it was not what
be s,,pposed il to be. that the Republican party
w.s insiuccrc Oh the subject Of Protection, and
that he had been aurcd by Establishments"
mt, the party. The particular Establishment
which allurcd him was his election Us Assem-
blyman year or two ago. The second time
tho Establishment was played Oh him he was
defeated of an election, which made 1t less
alluring. When he found he was not to be
rcnominatcd he just took the Establishment
under one arm and the tariff under the other
and went out - consider the two i'll connection
with each other The result of the eNamina-
tion he has embodied in his letter in these
words. pronounced with great soemnity :
"Tbereforc, / now retire from what seems to
me TO he a field of hypocrisy, TO which | was
alllcd by Establishments, misstatements and
| do.nt;onD So masses IIildreth He has re-