New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-25

THE PL4TT OVATION.
The Tribune hastens to congratulate Mt
Thomas & Platt upon the heartlness. the en-
thusiasm and the extent OF the ovation pald
him nj Carnegie Hall on Tuesday night by Inc
Renublican County Committee. which owes so
much 10 him and to which he owes so much
II was n stroke Of genius on The part OF the
Hon. Amasa Thornton. who discharged with
grace and dignity the Office of master or cere
monies. TO engage the hall at n date so early
tina, the affair could be pulled OF while MI
Platts triumphant campaign at St Louis was
fresh In the public mind and before his laureiS
had any chance to fade Next to Mr.. Thornton
perhaps. the greatest credit for this snccessiuI
demonstration is due to Mr.. Edward Lauter
bach. who. as presiding officer IN his opening
snccch took such especial care in directing the
enthusiasm of the audience into the proper
channel as 70 leave no possibility of mistake
as 10 the purpose of the meeting ana the real
hero of the occasion Mr. Lauterbach has some
of the qualities of n great orator lie IS eX-
tremcly audible for one thing. lie Is also eh'r
gctic. Few orators could have thrown more
volume of voice and energy of manner into II
pancyyrc than he did into that apostrophe to
.thc most peerless of all leaders, boss If you
will: not Thomas c. Plat. not Senator Platt
but rare old Tom Platt," with which he in
troduccd the hero of the occasion.
II was Il successful climax. Rare old Tom
Platt" was thereon greeted with an cxubcrancc
of enthusiasm and an outbreak Of hurrahS ihat
must have warmed the cookies Of his hehr'
and in some measure recompcnscd him for the
anxious days and slceplcss nights he has spent
IN n high-soucd and patriotic cndcavor to save
the Republican party from itself. Ills opening
sentence. when the enthusiasm had subsidized.
showed that he was not so inSnccrc * to pre-.
tend 10 misunderstood the purpose of the meet
ing. or too modest 10 recognize the tribu'' I"
himself. He began 10y saying that he appeared
cas- an object lesson. To prove the falsty OF the
old saving that dead men tell no tales, ana
continued with n humorous reference to IN"
number of times he had been put in the grave
and resurrecicd He then drew from his pocket
aud read a very good short speech, the mann
point in which was reference TO the coming
State election. at which he expressed the hope
that no one would be left outside the breast
works" This allusOn To one Of Mr. Pla'ts
personal victories In the defeat of Warner Miller
in ISIS was quickly understood by the audi
cncc. who roarcd with delight nj its unaffected
humor 1t was IA happy thought 10 close with
reference to the candidates whose nomination
the demonstration was intended incidentally 10
ratify His reading of the speech was NOT en-
trely free from embarrassment. but tho audi
cncc took his hesitation with perfect good
nature. thinking. no doubt that in the press
OF other matters he might not have had time
to give it careful perusal beforehand.
The large and impressive presence Of cy-
Senator IIiscock who sat on the front of III"
platform and looked unusually beautiful, added
much 10 the dramatic features Of the occasion.
and the oratorical saltntions Of Mr.. j. Sloai
Fassctt. who has lately landed on his feet In
the train Of "thc Republican master Of the
State" by one of the mos; marvellous double
somcrsaults ever witnessed In .hc political ring.
contributed no little 10 the food Of emotion.
These and other gentlemen who assisted In the
exercises were not only useful in making the
demonstration in Mr.. Platts honor great sue
cess but interesting also as exhibits illusirai-
ing the mastery hold which that gentleman has
upon statesmen of his creation. who in inter
walls Of temporary alteration have been seized
with the notion that they made themselves. To
few men has there come in the course of long
and somewhat variegated political career such
a glowing and altogether cxhlaratlnC triumph
as that with which Mr. Platt was greeted upon
his return from 81. Louis. 1t may be asked of
course what he had accomplished 10 cntltlc
him TO IT, But why cavil over small matters?
He had at least got back. What more was
necessary? And the County Committee was
so hilarious over his safe return that II hired
hall at once to give its Quotations voice and
acclaim him "the Republican master of the
State"
II was a great demonstration. And it was
unequivoca No spectator or listener could bc
In doubt as TO its purpose. Mr. Plat certainly
was not. And if there was an occasional burst
Of applause when Mr.. Laucrbach alluded to
the candidates or referred with impassoncd,
though somewhat dsjointed. eloqucnce to the
Star Spangled Banner, It only went TO show
that there was nothing mean In the nature of
Mr. Plat or his followers. Upon an occasion
devoted chiefly to the glor1caton of Mr. Plat
they were not greedy of enthusiasm for the
hero, but willingly conceded an occasional cheer
for the candidates of the party and the coun-
try's flag. All the same. this was an ovation
to Mr. Plat. and In no sense n ratification OF
the ST. Louis nominations. The County Com
mittee has opened It's campaign. 1t remains for
Mckinley Republicans TO ralfy the nominal
tons and open theirs.
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