The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-11
me Natural History Of the Cuckoo

rhe Natural History Of the Cuckoo.
There are forty varieties OF the cuckoo, or
Osscui,,s, exclusive Of the Cucuius Congress
ston1iis. but they do not appear to be rep
resented In the Poultry and Pigeon Show
now In progress at tho Madison Square
Garden. The use OF the word cuckoo" as
designation OF political reprosch is trace
able 10 Capt. BoUTELLE. the free-spokon
Maine mariner, and was applied by him in
Congress, 10 nautical sportiveness, to an up
state New York member whose Partially
or the policies enunciated by Presi-
.snt CLEVELAND has generally been
i5served 10 be OF the automatic order: de-
isnce and extolment always on tap, and no
questions asked. The addition OF this apt
41d expressive noun to the political vocab-
aary Of "MuRwump." "stalwart," half
Jreed, "doughface," "tenderfoot," barn
purnor," dark horse" copperhead,"
bunker" "moonshiner." "foatherhea d."
log roller" roorbach," and rag baby"
Ia not EMBODIED in mystery or uncertainty.
It IL in use only about three weeks. but has
attained already general popularity.
This Maine Republican desired to get .
hearing for his resolution OF censure on
the CLEVELAND policy OF infamy against
free institutions in Hawaii. There was an
objection. A single objection was SUFFICIENT
to shut OF distasteful inquiry into q SUBJ
ject so generally repugnant TO Democratic
members. Mr.. BoUTELLE's resolution was
temporarily met by an objection from a
New York member. notoriously partial TO
Mr.. CLBvBLAND's peculiar policy; and Mr..
BoUTELLK, in a spirit Of levity. strongly
suggestive OF tarpaulin. Delaying pin. and
marlinespike Inquired IL tho White House
clock had struck that morning.
Such was the origin OF the expression
cuckoo" but 1t has fastened itself by
force of appropriateness to the special de-
tenders OF unwise. unpatriotic. un-Demo-
cratic White House policies under the pres
ent Administration. mistakenly saluted
on March 4, 1893, as the harbinger OF an
era OF general good feeling. Up to date.
however. the good feeling has been pretty
generally monopolized. candor compels
the admission. by our Republican friends.
Very little appears to be left for Democrats.
In England, naturalists aver that cuckoos
arrive from southern countries in March,
and depart early In summer. corresponding
In their migrations somewhat to the SEES
sions OF Congress In Washington. There
are other points Of resemblance between
the cuckoo and the cuckoo statesman
The American cuckoos are OF the sub-fam-
lily C6ccyzin9. or ground variety. In this,
too. is another point Of resemblance to the
Congressional cuckoos. who are to be found
applauding and justifying policies not only
Frustrated by popular disapproval. but re-
quiring for defence a total surrender OF
those convictions and aspirations which
are an honor among Americans: fealty TO
constitutional forms and restrictions. sup
port OF neighb boring freemen DESTROYS OF
overthrowing an odious monarchical gov
eminent. and Of American mechanics who
believe in the dignity and Just rewards Of
free labor.
A political cuckoo Is q man who IL willing
TO defend an unworthy political cause not |
because he believes In It. but because he |
hopes. by 80 doing. to curry favor with |
some individual in office. whose personal |
comfort 1t may promote. person by be- |
coming a political cuckoo sacrifices indie |
pendence and consistency. He ceases to |
have a mind OF his own. II he had one before.
He becomes. as it we've. an automaton: but |
that is not all. for the hateful conditions OF |
his servile support are such. that not only |
must he extol abhorrent policies and dis
credited personages, but he must attack
and traduce those of his associates In
the Cabinet or the Congress. who have
retained intact their political manhood
and personal independence.
Such are the marked and distinguishing
points about the political cuckoo: he must
be ready. on demand. to assail the motives
OF Others whose sincerity and moral
perception are. as he knows. constantly
better than his own.
There are few cuckoos In New York. The
atmosphere OF genuine Democracy Is not
conducive to their existence. They soon fly
away to points further south. Washington
being Just now the centre OF their perni-
cious Partially for all things having a
White House label warranted to ad-
vance them In officeholding honors. II not
In the confidence and regard OF their
neiGhbors and constituents.
One thing in praise OF political cuckoos
may be said truly and unreservedly: The
supply keeps up steadily with tho demand,
and it must be reluctantly admitted by all
Democrats. that during the past eleven
months the demand has been abnormally
large and cumulatively increasing.