New-York tribune., 1896-04-20
Az Ey4UPLE AND An INSPIRATION.

!
The Democratic canvass for a Presidential
candidate has made great progress Inat IS 10
say. man has been found who Is willing to
place himself in the hands of his friends WIN
clear understanding that he Will make no drs-
peratc effort 10 escape the nomination. Inc
man Is our and evcrybOdy's young old friend
Billy Russell. of Massachusetts, who has E'te-
ly returned from a pilgrimage to the grave OF
Thomas jefferson. and IN supposed to nave ac-
ouircd the couragc essential to his perilous un-
dertakIng by contemplating at close quarters fhe
virtues Of that illustrious man. The Democratic
party has always proclaimed devotion To the
memory Of Jefferson, and never with more
fervor than when 1t has been doing all In lis
power 10 make him wish he had never been
born: but we do not know that IT has ever De-
fore been under such obligations TO the Sage or
Monticello as It is to-day. II, as we suppose. IT
is due TO him that the party Is no longer wan
dcrIng around in a forlorn and dcsolate condl-
tjon looking for a candidate who can be trusted
TO 90 to the stake without whmpcr no limits
can be set TO the gratitude which it ought to
feel
Moreover. since hcroism is contagious it Is
not impossible that Billy's example may in
spIrc other noble youths 10 come out Of the
for instance. who has not done his full duty by
the party In merely endcnvoring TO overcome
the modcsty of William X. Morrison. We have
faith to belicv. that II the old lady with the
scarchlight would say. "Why don't you speak
for yourself Benz he would do the handsome
thing on the spot We do not know that Ben
has ever visited the grave Of Jefferson. II he
has. he has kept 1t dark. but II Is Il wcll-es'ab-
,t, flt.h
native land Indeed. his patriotism has been
fortified by experiences which never befeH Blly
Russell. who we understand has not enjoyed
the advantages of travel in foreign parts. and
consequently has only a partial comprehension
Of the blessings which have been showcrel upon
this country Now Ben has been in London and
Paris. and knows that they are not a marker
10 Chicago He has also been in Mexico. and
II. having taken the convention platform In his
own behalf. he should relate what happened 10
him there. IT Is our opinion that hc would rouse
his audience 10 n perfect ecstasy of enthusiasm
anc In all probability be nominated by acclaml.
hon Who could hear him tell. without pro-
found emotion of the moment when. having
been thrown on into the bosom ~ prickly
cactus by Il Mexican mule while on hunting
trip. he sat up and under the greatest difficulties
that part Of its anatomy which pcnurous Nature
impcrfectly protects and conceals ~ all times.
but which on This occasion vanity had wholly
exposed 10 view: There j. no risk In saying
that II Ben should imbibc devotion from Billy
and consent 10 be a candidate he would make
great run.
And there are others. What is the matter
with Perry Bemon, and De Lanccy Nlcoll; II
should be remembered tina, the Democratic
party Is looking not for President, but for
nominee. Now that visit ~ the grave of
Thomas jefferson has been the means Of form
ing a nucleus ont Of Billy Russell. there ought
shortly TO be gathered together n bunch OF b,iz-
zing candidates Ike q swarm Of bees In hlving
time 1t looks 10 us as II the party would he
able TO 60 through the motions of n campaign.
after all. and possibly llnger along for while
subsequent 10 the election.