New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-25
ONE-STDED HARNONI.

|
crnor Morion's business in this city on his late
visit was chiefly If not wholly to promote har-
mony with a large II in the Republican party
Harmony with large II. it may be promised
has come 10 be understood within the last few
weeks to include the Placation of Platt with TWO
uncommonly large rs. Assuming this to have
been his misson-and considering the rapidity
with which Mr. Platt first communicated with
the Governor. then the Governor with the
Mayor and again afterward with Mr. Platt;
and the comments thereon Of the select circle
of thermometers It is not q violent assumption
| it may be pertinent TO point out to Governor
Morton the purity Of whose motives is not
questioned. a few Of the reasons why the Har-
mony sought for by Mr.. Platt is not only i'm
practicable. but if practicable would he fatal to
the Republican Party.
| One reason is that Harmony that basis
Iircludes the recognition by the Republican Party
of this CITY and county Of Mr.. Platt, who is
not n voter here as a person somehow mystic
| riously endowed with the right. which no en-
| rolled member Of the organization claims, TO be
| considered not only as factor, but the most
| important factor in the politics of a city in
| which he has no vote. II includes the adms-
sion by over 100000 Republican voters that he
holds the party as has been brazenly claimed in
| the palm of his hand: that he creates Mayor
| bv permitting his nomination; that he Increases
| that Mayors obligations TO him when he re-
| Trains from using the machinery of faction which
he controls to cheat his own party and candi-
date out of an election; and that he makes the
Mayor absolutely his Jwn by magnanimously
abstaining from saying the zone word at Al
J bany" which would clip his wings" and cripple
| his administration. Upon that basis Harmony Is
not practicable nor attainable. and with just as
earnest a desire for harmonious and united
party as the Governor can have. The Tribune
does not hesitate to say with emphasis that it is
undesirable.
| Another reason is that even were Mr.. Platt
| less grasping in his demands and less avaricous
of power: were he voter in the city he claims the
right TO rule were he broad-minded states
man instead Of tricky machine politician; had
he the politicians artof reconciling differences
| and allayng faction in his own party, instead
OF the demagogue' fatal facility for creating
dissenson and organizing defeat; had he Il
record Of either public service or party useful
| ness to which he could point instead Of an I'M
broken career Of personal disappointments
avenged by disasters brought upon his party;
| were he in short a great man with a wide
horizon instead Of retty trckstcr with no
principle but patronage and no sentiment but
spos; he would even then not be entitled TO be
dealt with upon the basis proposed as a poti-
| cal entity Of such supreme consequence that
| the administration Of the municipal affairs of
great city should be subject TO his dictation
and wait upon his will The Republican party
cannot afford to give him that emnencc.
| Another reason is that during these many
years in which the Republican party has been
suffering continuous defeats, Mr. Plat has been
| in notorious commerce with its Tammany OPP
ponents, ii being susceptible Of proof that his
relations with the Tammany gang were so init
mate and confidential that he has been easily
able to put his own creatures in Offices within
their disposal and use the official patronage in
their gift for the punishment OF those who re-
fused to do his will. The Republican party can
not afford TO take single step in the direction
of harmony with this man which can be CON
strued as accepting responsibility for his iniqui-
tous traffic in spoils with the Tammany gang or
recognizing relation which will enable him TO
| continue commercial transactions with the
enemy
| Another reason is and this from the partisan
point of view, in answer to the rubbish which
Mr.. Platts dependents are circulating just now
as to the necessity Of placating him to make
success certain in 1S96-that nothing could nap
pen in existing circumstances which would so
inspirit the Respondent Democrats and so us
| courage Republicans throughout the country ms
any appcarance Of concession to a self-conSti-
tuted leader who is the recognized exponent the
country over Of the system Of bOssism and ma
chine rule against which there was a popular
luprisjpc i'm November last The hope Of Re
publican success in 1896 does not depend upon
| the attainment OF Harmony by the Placation of
Platt, but upon the retention Of popular conn
dence and good will by the maintenance OF
party pledges and the absolute reputation OF
whatever has the color Of concession TO. or COM
promise with. self-styled leader inflated
with vanity that he believes he holds the party
| lin the palm Of his hard" and so capable OF
ireachcry that his followers make merit OF
his abstentiOn from party treason.
Another reason. which will do for the present,
IS that 1J4 900 voters demand OF Mayor Strong
the redemption, so far ne is able. Of the pledge
upop which he was elected. They demand
thorough and radical municipal reform and that
they cannot have if Mr. Platt who is completely
identified with the abuses to be reformed, is
permitted to have any voice in the policy of the
municipal administration or any influence in
the appointments upon which It's success de-
nends The supporters Of Mayor Strong have
n right 10 expect that he will refuse not only to
deal with the Tammany gang but with all who
have heretofore dealt with them They do OK
meet it, And we have no fear that they Will
be disappointed.
THE PARTY PLEDGED TO HOME RULE
| nd AcS en