New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-23
RTTIy FOR BILLY.

II cannot be said that the authoritative an
nounccment Of the candidacy of Ex-Governor
Rulv Russell for the Democratic nomination
for President has aroused enthusiasm or even
nroduced much stir among Democratic poll
,icans or the rank and file of the party. Al
first blush this would seem TO be IN unfavoraDe
svmntom But as "A matter of fact. 1t Is not
And for this reason. In the Democracy proper
thero is neither enthusiasm nor capacity for en-
thusiosm: for with them the essential pre-
requisite TO that condition is hopeful prospect
Of success. The Mugwump Contingent, on the
contrary. Is most easily reused To enthusiasm
when II has candidate who does not appeal
TO the passions of the popuace or the vulgar
emotions Of the common rcrd Of voters The
very circumstance that Bllly's candidacy mas
NOT made any stir in the ranks of the Democ
racy proper has served to put the MuSWuhP
Contingent on its mcttlc and the consequence
is a demonstration of hilarious JOY on the part
Of It's usually solemn newspaper organs such rs
has not been witnessed since that wei morning
in the Chicago wigwam when the Tnmmany
delegation sat under open umbrellas whlie the
convention nominated Cleveland.
One Of the most captlous OF these newspapers
broke on, Yesterday in a strain Of eulogy Of Billy
that must somewhat as,onish that rising young
statesman himself should /. ever fall under his
observation II could hardly have said more oil
George Fred Williams who. MS everybody knows
occupies the highest and coolest and most mac
cessbe place in the Mugwump Pantheon. or
Rlly II SAYS: HE belongs 10 the new school
"of politicians who are 10 save this country from
1.-The old ones II saved it can be. He Is the only
candidate vet spoken Of Of whom no criticism
IL, l. .tI "a :
..par;v and that it i. not capable Of e!e"'ng him.
..tbourh II has twice elected Mr. Cleveland.
There's a good deal in that. There Is always
moro or lcss doubt whether the country can d"
saved ut all. but never any doubt that II II Is
saved 1t will be through IN" wagging ~ the
Democratic dog by the Mugwump tall. Warm
ing I'D 20 the subject. our Mugwump contempt
rary saws Billy is the only man yet mentioned
"of whom II can be said that not only on the
currency. but on every matter which concerns
"thc National fame and prosperity he Is him
self n platform And In conclusion: wv"
should not need TO ask him what hc thought
about this or that or The other thing. but sim
.plv. Are YOU the William T.. Russell who was
".Govcrnor If Massachusetts from 1890 10
| "1S93T" Considering the number OF Rnss"lls
in Massachusetts. and that another one Of them
some time ran Tor Governor without E''""-
| there the question would seem quite par.
| And no one who IL a. all familiar with Billy
| magnificent selfcommand and never failing
| self consciousness can doubt for moment what
| the answer will b.. Without a moments hcSi-
tatlon he will say: You can bet am. am
the William T.. Russell who was elected Gov
'ernor and not the John f.. Russell who was
defeated. by long shot But when the Mug
wump editor calls 10 him. Come mp higher we
! fear Billy will have 10 sayas he contcmplaics
! the cloudess. but cold and lonely, summit upon
which the Mugwump si's superior But how
can /? There's only room there for one All
the same, the tribute to Billy Is Just AZ beautiful
as 1t can be. Even If he does not get the nom
nation. he may comfort himself with the re-
Election that the man has not lived In vain who
has extorted such praise from such source.