The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-11
He Hasn't s~kedaddled.

Perhaps the most earnest, Intelligent,
ana devoted worker In and for tho Citi-
zens Union In the recent campaign was
the Hon. PRYNNE COKE Of Good Govern
ment Club c. A personal friend OF MIR.
Low, q co-worker with the Hon. JAMES b.
REYNOLDS in the University Settlement
line, Mr.. COKE wal animated by honora-
BILE private as we'll as public considerations
In throwing himself into the Low move.
ment with all the weight Of his name and
his influence and all the strength Of his
character. Shortly before the end OF the
campaign he became convinced that his
labor had been in vain. In a letter pub
lished in THE SUN. a letter full Of a manly
emotion which It was impossible not to
respect, however little one respected the
cause which Mr.. COKE lamented, he said:
"The people are blind. They do not want to see.
They do not see the finest figure on the horizon.
Their blood be upon their own heads. Personally I
shall not attempt to do anything more for them. and
I think the general feeling in the union ia the same as
my own. l leave this country next Saturday. proba-
ably forever"
Obviously this was written in a moment
of strong excitement. The writer saw the
world in black. The city was ruined. The
hopes of good government and Of Good
Government Club G were blasted. Per-
haps some little bitter of personal disap-
pointment were mingled in Mr.. CoxE's
dream of disaster. 1t was said that he ex-
pected to be one of the Civil Service Com
missioners IL Mr.. Low was elected. At
any rate he despaired.
The anxiety caused in this town by the
impetuous resolution of Mr.. COKE to aban-
don it may be imagined when even from
remote Tennessee comes a heartfelt plant
for his supposed desertion Of a country
which is justly proud of him. We read in
the K,orUite Tribune:
"This is indeed sad. Think Of PRYSyE leaving this
country. probably forever We can imagine no
severer loss to this republic. But the people Of New
York are to blame for this terrible calamity. PRYSsE
warned them; he pleaded with them. tried to shed
light on their benighted minds and show them the
error OF their way. He threw his intellect. his
noblest emotions. his full powers. and a few dollars
into the campaign, but to no avail. Even he was
powerless to stem the tide OF ignorance and anarchy.
The miserable. common mud mortals were welded
10 their idols-and behold the result. Wei lose PRYNNE
COKE. probably forever We have no sympathy for
those b%enighted New Workers. Their deeds be upon
their heads, and what deeds they are! Hereafter they
will have to worry along without tho advice and
presence or hr. COKE. New York; blood be
upon It's head-but what is to become OF the rest of
the country after PRYSSE COKE ceases to let tho
light Of his countenance shine upon It and the charm
Of his presence perfume It? This is the question"
Fortunately that question has not to be
answered. Mr.. COKE has relented. He
pitied the people. When he had got over
the first keen pang, he remembered that
he still had a duty to perform; q city
and a country to save. 1t is a Joy to be
able to say that he is now resting as we'll
as could be expected at Lakewood, and
that he will resume his labors for good
government and Good Government Club c
as soon as his health permits. We feel
that when the Citizens Union carries on
another campaign, it is more than likely
that a good deal less will be heard about
SETH Low, JAMES B. REYNOLDS, JOHN C.
CLARK, JOHN B. PINE, and JOE LARocouE,
and a good deal more about the intrepid and
resourceful PRYNNE COKE.