New-York tribune., 1896-05-09
AN APPPECTATED COMPLIMENT.

II was an uncommony handsome thing OF
.The New-York Sun" to come to the rescue Of
Governor Morton and Mr.. Platt the other day
when the only Republican paper In the city that
had been supporting them changed Its policy
and abandoned their cause. We have already
commented on its chivalrous disposition in Civ
ing aid to the injured. and expressed the hope
that the two gentlemen whose middle names
it has held sacred would appreciate the courtesy
and make the most Of the support Of "'rhe Sum-"
We are glad to say that our hopes have not been
disappointed Mr. Plat has quick eye, and
has long been accustomed to read The sun
and pick out the many pleasant things said
about him in that stanch organ OF Democracy
and stern opponent of Rcpublicanism. He was
not at all likely to miss this unusually strong
testimonial that he was doing service worthy
'of general and generous acknowledgment In
fighting for Governor Norton" or to underestl-
mate the effect upon the Republican country
journalists of the opinions Of this able Tam
many journal He did not miss 1t. He clipped
out the editorial from "Tbe Sum-" sent 1t 10
printer and had copies neatly struck off In small
folio FORM printed only on one side OF the paper,
In most convenient foi m for the editorial scis-
sors and paste brush. Then he sent them out
from his literary bureau 10 the country editors
whom he helps to support ir return for ndver-
tisng space to be inserted on editorial pages
without asierisks or other marks recognized by
the trade as Indicative Of paid matter. He like
wise sent them 10 some other editors. and to
the courtesy Of others we are Indebted for n
specimen Of the circular with which Mr.. Platt
did not see flt 10 favor u.s.
This Is a clever piece Of political work. The
Guickness with which the opportunity was
seized. and the speed and efficiency with which
It was utilized shows that Mr.. Platts bureau
Is well organized. and holds out promise OF the
valuable work IL will do for Mckinley In the
coming campaign. The incident gives added
confidence TO Republicans that the funds OF the
State Committee will b. wisely expended so far
as concerns the circulation OF campaign docu-
mcnts. and that II viii he used only for the
propagation Of good Republican opinion. The
funds Of the State Committee can be put TO no
better use than defending Mr.. Platt and show
Ing the esteem In which he is held even by
Tammany Hail. We look TO our enemies to dis
cover our virtues, says the proyerb Yet 1t Is
10 be- questioned II a more fitting way OF sound
ing Mr. Platts praises and circulating The
sun might not be- found. Some months ago the
country editors, weary Of the strain OF writing
original articles. and unable to I'LL up every
week with sections from Mr. Platts circulars,
which. whenever they had them they cut into
suitable lengths and printed rs editorials word
for word. thus showing II remarkable unanimity
Of sentiment In Mr.. Platt's favor throughout the
Statc-thesc editors met In conference and de
tcrmIrFd TO have n bureau OF their own for the
gathering and sending out OF political articles
for themselves 10 print. That bureau certainly
should have been able 10 clip exchanges and
suggest the advsabillty Of reprIntlng The Sun"
article 10 the country newspapers. and have left
Mr.. Platts bureau free TO do original work. Mr..
plait has at his command fluent and eloquent
editors. free from daily editorial cares. who
could write touching and beautiful articles on
his hcrolsm and Mr. Mortons claims The bu-
rcau should be busy distributing these. and not
wasting effort on clippings from the Democratic
press. For. able as Is THE Sum- Mr.. Platt has
editors who can go II one better when IL comes
to the pathetic or The sublime.
But however circulated, we are glad that the
article has been sent out. on rerpading 1t more
than ever Is its beauty impressed upon us, and
we are thrilled to think of Mr.. Platt standing
10 the last by his principles betrayed even by
the members he has put on the State delega-
tion. standing undauntcd amid the ruin Of his
hopes and waving aloft THE sun" MS the en-
sign OF his true Republicanism. We hope the
country editors will not be compelled through
lack Of space To suppress the testimonial. They
might, ut least. print II in sections. Or, II their
room for extract matter Is limited. they might
work the ideas over into several articles Of their
own. Though in that the central bureau
might better do II for ALL