New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-13
POPULAR DISSERTATIONS.
SONS OF REVOLUTIONARY S1RES.
THEIR DUTY IN THE PRESENT MUNICIPAL ELh'-
TOMS PLATT AN ARNOLD

THEIR DUTY ~ THE PRESENT MUNICIPAL. Ebtc-
TONS PLA1T AN ARNOLD
II the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: There are thousands Of voters In this CITY
who claim descent from Revolutionary ancestors
They may not belong to any OF the ORGANIZATION,
which engaged in perpetuatng the memor!'ol
the heroes of the century. but they are thrleu
with pride when they recall the share when the''
fathers had in achieving the independence or TINS
Nation. Some OF these voters. 1t is to he reared
fail to how close a parallel there Is between
our present municipal campaign and the keVo'u-
tionary War.
In the first place 1t has already been pointed out
that tn" population of the Greater New-fork Il
equal TO that Of the American colonies 80 years
ago. The welfare-ndced. one may truly say the
berties-of three million people are at stake al IN"
present time.
Not only does the crisis in which we find our
selves placed by circumstances affect an enormous
number Of people as many as composed our Nation
AT its birth bat II is OF the profoundcSt I'M
portanco. The great issue involved Is pure munici-
pal government. We are fighting not 1ahim"nE
alone hut all that Tammany represents in her
methods Of administration. The recent territor'a
consolidation thrusts our new city into conSpicu-
olss position before the world. and other nations
are watching MS with peculiar interest In Stat"
and National politics form Of government mas
proven a magnificent success. But we have NOT
lcarnei tn" art OF governing cities yet as fly s
Wd Ii ana - MO-, nd watchfu foreigner,
THicuir ty m dder ',yzati"n ard TO the n
c'stors WHO gave rs our present INSTITUTIONS -
wei ourselves. to show the world az iI',S
tim that we are competent to conduct municipal
government on at least as hsh = plane "S arc
Great Britain. Germany or France. ,
itan history The effects Of orr decision ~ t t
polls this fan Will be f'lt for years. possibly l"r
centuries Every business man knows IN" imn'nae
advant&e Of starting riehl IN tn" mfIs p' mad
Indeed Il IS sometimes impossible TO remedy th'h
As look back on the records OF such mon as
Washington. Adams and jefferson; ! observe may
to the pas However mich inHN miH NV ,hi p
in the brave deeds and Wis" counS.!5 o. 'h'i
grardfaihors thoy wasted no time IN az c"l'p =.
lion AMI rhetoric. They faced tn" problems ., me
living present. They tackled IN" questions Dl W.
own day. Should not initiate them N ms -.
spcct' Eternal vigilance T. the prie :" np' a. =, .
and are degenerate SCiOns or - nom" race, u W
G ong snS @ri G their T grarS and isnore vital
issues ana solemn duties that coliI"nt nS :, w. 1,u
70 .ao wiz. our municipality demands Of rs. ana
fail to render faithful intelligent ana ardent ser
There are many points of similarity between ne
tyranny OF rammany and that OF %'VIg h,i w;sh
10 emphasize though. T. this Seth Low Is l'a",t
who has WOO the conhdSrcr oi mo-" I our ,rn
m.ni the most careful study. Not even ms enc
mn, o n, c',ncify on the other hand Mr. Plat.
by his numerous deals with Tdmmdhy N We pi1..
Arnold lie is a ira tor 10 the cause he has sworn "a
serve Plat f. n worse foe than WAS Arnold Tor M
latt.r went over openly and finally To the ,u'uly
when hi4 conscience and loyalty failed. "hilr ne
former hvpOcriiically stays with IN" arm! 81 mn
n,rdorco and freedom tries To lead II - IN" h'N
4 ana to hoodwnk his associate tie - trFHt ~
use men 81 high station and fa!5 fame as ms ca =
paws in this ahomnablc and appalling WORN. 10"
any one who is aware 81 the atoms thht tN..I
between General Tracy and Mr.. Flttt can wore
for the Republican candidate for Mayor NJ 'uls
/ time is 10 me beyond AL comprch.uslpn '",l-
,,1,fo,s yin Won hclp tn perpetuate Timmany by
giving its allies aid and comfort in thi+ honr OF
peril or will you follow = Loader VINO IS apnF. s,, ~
,rion and rei,roach ana fight for liberty with ~"
same pluck and saCdciiy a. your honorcH IN, nn,,
: tors 'H''''''
| Brooklyn oct. g 1870