New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-11
A DROP IN MANHATTAN.

IL
n cursory inspection of the mourners, we reel
warranted in saving that since November 3 our
old friend Colonel William L. Brown, has been
one OF the unhappiest men In the unlted states
Almost before the general jubatiOn over the
results Of the election had begun to suDslde we
were compelled to print the melancholy news
that Colonel Brown, incensed at the invasion OF
the sacred precincts Of the Manhattan Club ut
the early hour Of o'clock in the morning OF NO
yember by large and distinguished company
of hilarious patriots from the Union League hhd
sent to Mr.. Frederic H. COudert. the president OF
the Manhattan Club, n formal letter OF resgna-
ton from that institution. II anything could
have stopped the shouting over Mcklnley's tri-
umpl, this unexpected action on the part or Colo-
mel Brown would have done so. and we cannon
say that 1t might not actually have had that
effect II there had not been a strong hope that
the Colonel would relent. And we are convinceu
that II the affair was subsequently permitted to
fade out OF the public mind it was only because
of the prevalent supposltion that the Colonel had
relented
But suddenly this dear Illusion Is dispeled by
the dissemination Of correspondence which mas
passed between Mr. COudert and Colonel BROWN
and which leaves tie community in a state OF
distressing suspense. With that suavity OF man.
ner and felicity Of dcton which characterize Mr.
Coudert he points out to Colonel Brown the in
trinsIc innocence Of the Eruption from the Union
League OF a number Of persons who were merely
DESTROYS Of drinking the health of the country
in one or more OF the fluids for which the Man.
haitian Club Is so justly famous; and he closes
his first appeal for the withdrawal Of Colonel
Browns resignation with this golden truth:
There are mighty few things that are worth
getting mad about, and this Is certainly not one
"of the few" From our knowledge OF Colonel
Browns character we should have confidently
expected him to yield to this persuasion and ne
sumo forthwith his relations with the club OF
which he has so long been both IN ornament and
pillar had not his response come to us stimuli
taneously with the entreaty which 1t parties
From this reply II appears that though Colonel
Brown could have endured to see joyful libations
poured under the roof OF the Manhattan Club by
It's own members. and possibly even might have
assisted In the process, he cannot condone the
offence of turning the club Unto Republican
camp Of rowdyism and jubilation.'
The correspondence between Mr.. Coudert and
Colonel Brown contains other epstles OF similar
temper and import-all sweetness and light on
the one side. all gloom and grlmness on tile other
And yet there IL one ray OF hope visible to the
eye Of faith. Colonel Brown, In the very act OF
submitting the evidence and arguments to prove
that he cannot In justice to his sense OF political
and social propriety withdraw hs resignation
omIts to affirm explicitly that he Is incapable Of
being led away from the strict path Of duty. An
attentive perusal Of his letters suggests the pos
slbllity that he may yet be decoyed over the
edge Of the abyss, and drop into the seductive
arms that are stretched TO receive him. And
though lapse from virtue Is an awful thing. We
do not possess the moral lrinness to hope that he
will not fall What the Manhattan Club might
be without Colonel Brown we do not know and
cannot even imagine. But We do know that 1t
would not he the Manhattan Club.