New-York tribune., 1894-10-10
MR. UUITNEIN ENCESEN

Mr. Whiincy'> argument for the support oi
Iill may he rckoncd the best that IN cXcrp
rionally shrcwd man can make 10 lessen Dem
ocraic hostility tc The candidate. II ha-
lhc greater strength with men of that party be
cause Mr. Whitney has ccnSurcd Hill himself
and the conduct of the Democratic State or
ganizaiion His appeal j. that this Is an cloc
rion of vital importance 10 Democratic prin
ciplcs. and that the Republicans have sought
To- reap partisan advantage from Democratic
mistakes aud crimes. Bur thus plainly stated.
without the confusing flowers of speech which
Mr. Whitney employs The reasons h. gives are
not strictly reasons ~ all
Here ar" two great parties each earnestly
declaring lis attachment to certain principles.
That each should strive 10 promote what 1t pro
claims To bc the highest good of the country by
taking advantage of al. the errors and the Of
fences Of the other : simply public duty In
prctcndin, that Republicans should not do this
Mr. Whitney SrtS ip a standard for others
which he would ney'r rcgar' for IN instant
himself During years in public life he has not
hc>itated to take full advantage of Republican
faults and faiIings. II is wors, than absurd
for him to find fault with opponents because
they do the same.
But the assumption that this is IN election of
vital importance 10 Democratic principles is
not worthy of Mr.. Whitney. He knows very
well thar he cannot agree with senator Hill
in any statement ~ what are Democratic prin-
ciplc>. and that the course Of the senator in
Congress was in essential matters hostile 10 the
beliefs Of nearly all the Democrats Iis nom
ination is Il rcbukc 10 President Cleveland and
his election would be- an insult 10 the Demo
cratic majority in Congress by which "A tariff
bill was passed in spite Of his opposition. II
tnc Democratic party has any principles, they
are represented by the great majority of Demo
Gratis in Congress. and by the Democratic Prcsi-
dent rather than by the Senator who was
practically shut ont from a Democratic caucus.
Hill is fighting for Hill and not for Democratic
principles. as Mr.. Whitney very well knows,
and yet he chooses just now TO represent that
Hills defeat would be fatal 10 those principles
II is also perfectly well known to Mr. Whitney
that the chief ground of opposition to Senator
Iill and his machine is that It does not honor
ably represent but disgraccs and defeats popu
lar government Its crime Is that II robs the
people Of their rights, and that 10y frauds and
violations Of law which Mr.. Whitney does not
venture 10 excuse or palatc The crimes
against self government were not less crimes
against Democratic principles and Democratic
honor. and have done more 10 bring disgrace
and defeat upon that party than can well be
realized To elect the foremost exponent of all
these infamies and crimes would not help Dem
ocratic principles nor could it in the end help
the Democratic party. II would only deepen
the conviction Of honest Democrats thar their
party had become 81 corrupt, shameless. SO
completely in the power Of the bascr and more
dangerous elements that ii could no longer he
chosen as the fit agency for any honest efforts.