The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-12-22
Sun or Tribune.

York Sun, true to it's estimate of the
dominating issue of the canvass, and
having the courage of it's convictions
respecting that issue, took up the cause
of sound money and the national honor
by espousing the candidacy of William
Mckinley with the promptness, vigor
and decision that are the characteristics
Of uDdoubted sincerity and true patriot
ism. Throughout the campaign the
Sun struck sturdy blows, delivered
straight from the shoulder, at Organism
in whatever specious guise it appeared.
The paper was powerful factor, if
not, indeed, the most controlling single
influence in the East, but more especi-
ally in the city and State of New York,
In producing the magnificent majori-
ties at the November election. Its re-
ports Of meetings and speeches we're
the most complete, and were character
lied by that peculiar quality that dis
tinguishes the Sun alone, among
American newspapers, and which is the
envy of its contemporaries Its editorial
articles were vigorous, incisive, and as
they invariably are at any time, on any
subject it discusses, Illuminating as it's
proto type in nature.
The Sun found in the Republican
platform the only hope of society, in this
nation, and the truest exposition of real
Jeffersonian principles. Previous to
it's direct espousal of the cause of the
Republicans, it had advocated national
policies 80 closely in harmony with the
leading tenets Of reputlica ism that
the supporters of modern democracy
were accustomed to regard the Sun as a
Republican organ in disguise. And
yet, in accepting the Republican
platform, the Sun was consistently
maintaining its fealty to the policies
aud principles, in respect of national
affairs, which had found conspicuous
supporters in Samuel j. Tllden and
Samuel j. Randall, in whom it had
been an earnest believer. The Sun
has stoutly maintained its anti-eleclion
stand, and, in the re cent municipal can
vass in New York City, among the
newspapers was almost the sole de-
fender of the local republican organi-
cation against the assaults of It's
enemies-and the treachery of its
friends.
Republican papers which have be.
come somewhat effete, or rickety in
their ideas, or which may be moved by
spirit of jealousy, may sneer at the
Sun now because it is supporting Re-
publican policies and denouncing party
treachery, with characteristic vigor and
directness; but Republicans every
where were very joyous when that
journal put it's stalwart shoulder to the
whee. in the previous crisis of 1895.
Foremost among the Republican
journals that were faithless found in a
great emergency was the New York
Tribune, which seems to have pre-
sumed upon its ancient standing as a
Republican newspaper to betray its
party with impunity, whenever per-
sonal pique or disappointment. should
arouse its resentment. Passing by the
fact-which history has regarded with
venial leniency-that the founder of
the Tribune became in 1872 the presi-
dental candidate of the Democratic
party, which for lifetime he had
fiercely denounced as the embodime nj
of every species of moral and political
wlckedness, his successor has once
and again allied himself with the enc.
mics of the Republican party and con.
spired to accomplish its defeat.
In 1882, the Tribune joined hands
with the Democrats and Mugwumps OF
that time to defeat Judge Folger, the
Republican candidate for governor OF
New York, and to elect Grover Cleve-
land by majority of some 200, 0OO
|
votes. In respect of ability, expert
ence and character, Folger compared
with Cleveland as Hyperion TO Saiyr.
The Tribune was thus instrumental in
] starting Mr.. Cleveland on the high
road to the presidency of the nation,
and its treachery to its party al that
time largely contributed 10 the disas-
tiers that befel this country under the
Cleveland administration. Ag lin, in
the recent municipal elt c'ion in the
Greater New York, the Tribune con-
sorted with the direst enemies OF the
r publican party to defeat its candi-
date for mayor and his associate fiji
Gals, although he Candidates wee, III
every respect, the most en- inent among
their ftl ow citizens in their fitness (, I
the offices to which they had been ON
mated. Its recent apostacy and its
continued fl rts TO break up or dis, T.
game its party in the city and State oil
New York have earned tor ii the TT !