New-York tribune., 1895-08-31
DANGER FROM OVERHEAD.


The Tribune has already expressed its entire
sympathy with the main purpose sci lor'h i'll
the resolutions adopted on Wednesday evening
by the Convention Of Good Government Cinps
7, recognizes in these organizations earnest and
enthusiastic workers in a common cause lis
chief solcitude is that no precipitate action
shall be taken by any OF the organizations whose
cooperation is essential to the continuance ol
the work OF municipal reform whereby success
may be endangered. In calling attention, there
fore. TO one or two things which seem to us To
contain dangerous possibilities, we desire to dis
claim beforehand any captious spirit or even a
willingness 10 indulge in unnecessary Criticism
of the acts or utterances OF those WIN "hom
we hope and expect to be cordially allied III Il
great and important political undertaking. we
are particular TO make this disclaimer because
we have learned from experience that extreme
sensitiveness as we'll as impatience, Is one OF
the characteristics of the men OF lofty Ideals ana
patrotic purposes who put themselves heartily
and enthusiastically into any movement Tor the
public welfare and the general good. III all such
movements there is danger of hasty action on
tho mart Of men whose sincerity is undoubted.
but who by the very honesty and earncstness OF
their intentions have been drawn into certain
narrowness of view which makes them ineffec-
five in the prosecution Of large political enter
prises.
We have already said that the course pursued
bv the convention in taking no steps toward
making independent nominations regardless OF
the possible action Of other bodies ana organlZa-
tions whose cooperation and ANIMATION seem
necessary TO success. was in our Judgment wise.
In accordance with this view we take leave 10
say that in what Mr. Charles Stewart DAWSON,
the chairman of the convention, is reported 10
have said concerning its ultimate purpose, tnat
gentleman seems 10 us to be both indiscreet IN
his utterapces and wrong in his position. Ac-
cordng to Mr. Dawson. the confederated Good
Government Clubs do propose TO go forward ana
nominate the best men we can find for the
offices 10 be filled this fall" The duty Of the
Executive Committee appointed by the conven-
ton is not. in his Judgment, to confer with or
make overtures TO any other organization. I'VE
Twill ask neither the Republicans nor anybody
..else TO ioin us" he says. The politics of can
.'ddates for office to be nominated will not be
considered If we make overtures to any one,
st would look like deal, and we are not going
"to make deals" That is 10 say, Mr. Dawson
proposes 10 form new party, which shall be a
nonpariisan party. Does he think such thlnS
nossible: When any body Of men organize and
make nominations and 20 into campaign what
is it? How does it differ from any other pody
of men similarly organized and conducted ana
called party? Isn't 1t also party! Ana are
not the excellent persons who compose it just as
much partisans as the members Of other older
and larger organizations? Mr.. Davisons ear
ncstness has confused his mental processes. No
one doubts his sincerity, but he is troubled with
overzea
Human nature Is a pretty constant factor III
all political enterprises. And II Is not In human
nature for men who are members OF, ana INFER
ested in, existing political organizations-iis the
overwhelming majority are-to abandon sud
denly their own party and fall in with an en-
tirely new organization, in which they nave
neither voice nor influence, at the call OF any
man or set OF men, however honest or enhusi-
astic. who proclaim non.partisanshlp as the
shjbboleth Of a new party. Non-partisanship is
pretty difficult thing to put in operation at the
best. but it certainly cannot be made enectlve
in that way. No one organization or body OF
men can in any such way assume leadership ana
command enough recruits to insure success. Inc
very arrogance and sef-sufliciency OF 1t repei
those who might otherwise cooperate and bring
substantial aid Do we need 10 say TO the sensl'
hle and intelligent members Of the Good Gov
orpment Clubs that the essential prerequisite
,o successful organization Of all the elements
in favor of reform is consultation and agree
ment beforehand? There are enough natural
obstacles TO such a preliminary understanding
without setting up any such insuperable diiii-
cu,tv rs Mr.. Davison's proposed action would
involve.
MAY we instance a case or two in which ON
clousncss and overzeal on the part of persons
whose sincerity could not be doubted actually
defeated the very purpose they sought? DO our
friends Of the Good Government Clubs rcmenl-
Der how sincere and extremely jealous advo-
cate of good government set on foot last year
Of his own motion a prosecution Of Judge Pat
rick Diver and what became Of 1t? Or how
another equally sincere and well-meanins per
son started proceedings for the impeachment and
removal of DistrctAttorney Fellows, and what
failure resulted? These gentlemen meant well.
But they could not wait. They were impatient
of DELAYS and slow processes. The ends they
aimed at in both cases were, In the opinion OF
the friends of good government and reform,
eminently desirable But their haste and impa-
tience and their unwilngness to wait for con-
sultation with others and agreement upon some
deliberate plan Of action resulted in their own
defeat and the vindica ton Of both Diver and
Fellows. Is there any lesson in this for our
impetuous and overhasty friends!
WHAT Ais THE NAVY
Announcements of extraordinary activity in