The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-09
Tho New York City Campaign.

Tho campaign Of 1895 was notable for the
tremendous importance Of the central issue.
and for the mastery political power which,,
10y. causing that issue 10 be clearly presented
in the Republican platform, made that
pnrty's triumph of incalculable value. The
popular excitement aroused was phe-
nomenal. The cause OF honest money was
30 distinctly identified with the Republic.
cans that its supporters among the Demo-
Gratis were compelled to forsake their party.
The State Of New York became Republican
by nearly 800. 900, and the city of New York
turned Republican in a Presidential year
for the first time in the life Of the party.
: Another thing that invigorated the Repub-
lican campaign immensely was the elm
nation of the petty and undemocratic
mugwump idea hat the candidate was
the platform and the chief end of the
conflict. The battle of 1896 was for a prin-
ciple. Thousands of men who didn't like
MCKINLEY Indignantly repelledth the thought
OF voting against what he represented in a
crisis so momentous.
It Ia proper to say also that the foremost
hero of the issue on which the remarkable
demonstration Of last year was founded,
the statesman who in the st. Louis Con-
vention had dragged the gold standard out
of the mire of circumlocution and Devil.
derment up to the high ground of clearness
and certainty, was THOMAS c. PLATT, now
one of the Senators of the Empire State. To
the last, prior to the final decision of the
Convention, the then bitterest enemy Of
the Republican organization of New York
aud the ever lurking foe of its leader to-
H. Al. l-,, Val. 7'.;L,,no 1ahorad for n
straddle or for mystification by keeping the
word "gold" out of the platform.
The task before us Is to hold what
was won a year ago. and to strengthen the
defences that protect us from the revolution
of Organism. The same issues are an
bounced by ar overwhelming majority of
the Bryan party. Hope for a second tri-
eumph over them is strong. The revision of
the tariff has been accomplished, and pros
perity is rising through the country. In the
city of New York, the most conspicuous
and the most important city in the Union,
the anti-Bryan party is bigger, stronger,
better organized, and more ready for the
field han ever before. Its leader is still
Thongs G. PLAT. the most brilliantly
successful politician of the time. to
whom, IL such debts are conceivable, the
State Of New York, and particularly that
portion Of it which will be the city of New
York after next January l, W a debt ex-
ceeding that due to any other statesman of
his generation. Yet as the contest for the
control of this great political centre
Is about to be formed. a combination
of impracticable, unpopular. silly, ofiicious,
self.seeking, inexperienced, and vengeful
citizens set out to haul down the flag of
1885, to sneer at the party which carried
Il, to force themselves with insult into the
places of the victorious leaders, to slur the
Issue which a year ago was at the top and
is still at the bottom, to degrade again the
dignified and inspiring sentiment for prin.
ciple and party to the sickening mugwump
adulation of some man preferred for wor.
ship, and to accept the Organized Democ-
: racy's invitation to meet on the ground of
zee municipal issues only"
=, Was there ever such trifing with great
interests, such playing with questions that
are vital, such ~pretentious and high-sound-
ing folly, and such a criminal and mex
cusable blow at a great national cause2