New-York tribune., 1897-08-25
BASIS OF UNION.

Democratic members of the Citizens tnion,
like Mr.. Joseph Larocque. who have been mill
tant opponents Of the idea OF nominating an
anti-Tammany ticket as the result of confer
ence need not find themselves embarrassed by
the invitation of the Republican Committee for
Il conference to arrange common meeting 'ime
so tnat the campaign may he begun with
simultaneous vOlley upon the enemy instead or
with ragged fire cracking at intervals along
the line. If there is the slightest reason FOR the
contention that n conference concerning the
formation of a municipal ticket acceptable 10
all parties would partake or the nature OF
deal which might compromise the Mayoral
candidate or involve the Independents in an
agreement to support some candidates as the
price of machine support for others, that scrupie
does not properly initiate against simultaneous
action Neither is it TO be feared that confer
ence for such a purpose would ALLEVIATE single
rcformer as il has been said any dcker about
the ticket would do
Certainly the whole tendency Of affairs just
now Is toward unity No Independent. how
ever suspicious he may be OF the Republican
organiZation for an instant expects 10 beat Tam
many without the aid of Republican votes. His
problem should be TO get every one OF those
votes even that of the most hidebound par
tisan. without sacrifice Of any essential moral
principle. He has no right 10 let either impa-
tience or prejudice stand in the way OF winning
their support any more than the Republican or
ganzation has the right TO let any partisan in
clnatons prevent the acceptance OF the can
didate who appears able 10 command the great
csi popular support. We believe that the ccntrip-
eial force of common concern 10 preserve all
that has been gained in municipal government
in the last three years will solve the problems OF
nomination If II only has the chance 10 work.
The Republicans who do not wish To be led
captive IN Citizens Union procession are not
all wicked machine men trying TO make a deal.
as some rcformers are fond Of representing.
They are often entirely honest people who would
like TO vote for Mr. Low, but who have GER
tain attachment 10 their party. not more mar
row-minded than is the disattachment 10 IL man
ifested by some reforIners. They are not over
anxious about having the wishes Of the organ
lzation leaders satisfied but they have a certain
party pride which-perhaps foolishy 1t may
seem 10 the rcformers-they do moi Ike 80 have
ruffed Then there others, who care moth
Ing about precedence themselves. who realize
that many Republicans whose votes are needed
care a great deal about 1t. and they wish these
people 10 be- met half way The feelings of all
these elements are worth considering as II mere
matter Of practical politics ana are not wisely
10 bc dsregardcd TO suit the theories OF some
pragmatc student OF municipal government.
Wise craftsmanship does noi Ignore even the
foibles Of human nature.
A conference such as Is proposed can certainly
do nobody any harm. II may do great deal
Of good. The Citizens Union wishes The Rcpub-
llcan Convention TO nominate Mr. Low. and has
every reason to conduct itself so as to make that
nomination easy. If. as some OF the Citizens
Union people Think the Republican organiza.