New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-20
MP SCHVRZS NINE COL UMNS.

Mr. SCHURZS NINE COL OMNS.
Nine columns of reading matter without cuts
in "The Ncw-York Evening POST And all
about the political issues involved in this eX-
citing campaign Written, not by candidate
for office in whose views of current questions
the people might be supposed to take some in
forest. but by private citizen, who evidently
believes that his opinions arc of such conse-
ouenoe that voters in largo numbers have been
holding their judgments in suspense waiting to
hear what he thinks and why he thinks So
Not entirely without provocaton' however
For a number Of persons, whose mindS were
already made up and were not quite certain
as to why they had made them up So had
formally invited tho writer, who they knew
had made UP his mind the same way, to give
Them some good reason for it in public speech.
Instead of q speech he wrote them nlnc-coluinn
letter. 1t is a well-written letter, and will, no
doubt, help the people who have made up their
minds to vote fox Mr. Cleveland in giving rea-
sons for it, "For people who like that sort OF
thing,n said Mr.. Lincoln, on one occasion, :" L
should think that would be the sort of thing
they would like"
Mr.. Schurz is undoubtedly sincere. He be-
lieves in Free Trade, or Revenue Reform As he
calls il. as a cardinal doctrine III politics. lie
believes in honest money with perhaps equal
sincerity, but not quite so much ardor 30, TOO,
he believes in fair elections and honest admin
istration. But for all these he Is willing To
trust TO luck if only Free Trade can be estab-
lshed So he takes ninc columns to explain
that if ONLY the mischief of a Protective 1arii
can be done away with there will be no danger
Of free silver and debased currency, no danger
of machine methods in politics, no danger OF
bribery or corruption. no danger OF ring rule
or bad politics or maadmnstratlon. lie Is
sincere also in his dislike of President Harrison
and his Administration. Admitting that the
Presidents private character Is excellent" he
proceeds TO arraign him for offences which, If
the charges are true, are certainly inconsistent
with excellence of character. either public or
private. Bur this is, and always has been. Mr..
Schurz's habit II only means that he can see
no good in an Administration he opposes or
candidate he dislikes. And it is perhaps well
to remember In weighing his judgment OF Pres
ident Harrison's Administration that Mr.. schuH
has never approved any Administration except
that of President Hayes of which he happened
to be member. His disappOval of Mr.. Lin
coins Administration was well known at the
time and recent publication of a letter in
which Mr. Lincoln gave him one OF those
gentle but very cutting rebukes for which
he was so famous has given the public fresh
reminder of it. The truth IS, Mr.. Schurz Is
DISQUALIFIED by his mental temperament from
Judging accurately what is current and con
tcInporaneous If We should say he had been
a disappointment TO his friends as statesman
he would reply that he had never had chance.
If we should say he was not n success as
politician, he would rather rejoice at the i'm
putation, and with something of a sniff say he
had no desire TO be recloned in that class.
Still, all these things count among people who
have TO deal with statesmen as historical per
sonages and the persons who were related to
their time, or with politicians as n class, and
a very potential class or with events rs they
iun.
Mr. Schurz Is not vain man. though one
might think so on seeing nine columns Of his
opinions given out for the enlightenment OF his
fclow-citizcns Nor is he nSinccrc. as one
might suppose from the way in which he tries
to persuade other people-having first per
suadcd himself-that the Democratic party, after
establishing FREQ Trade, will establish an hon
est currency, an honest ballot and honest Ad-
ministration. He honestly thinks so. Wo have
differences OF opinion with him on several
points, but all the same we are very fond of
him. He means well And we can give no
better proof OF our fondness for him than to
say that we have read every word Of all his
nine columns Of explanation of tho reasons why
he is going to vote for Grover Cleveland
Greater love than this, we submit, can hardly
be shown