The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-08
,rv1ron rHoMAs o. PLAT.
a we.terner's view OF His Character ana
Achievement AZ . Leader.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sfr: Thomas
G. Plat OF TioRa must be at least a manly cnnr'
acter when the Mugwumps and Goo Coos make
him their "Boeie Man" to Brighten themselves
into their own exclusive fold. So 1t seems to us
Republicans who view his career from a longer
distance and without their spite.
Senator Plat must he an honest, uprightman'
n gentleman in politics. who Is truo 10 MS
friends, his party. and his State. No man dur
ing the last decade has boon more in public view
than he as identified with the great Empire
State. No man has been the subject of a more
searching criticism. 1t may be said that he
stood In the scarchlight OF public criticism as
few other public men nj this day. The result IS
that even his political enemies have decided
that he Is n man Of remarkable ability, business
and political, sincere in his devotion TO MS
party, and assailable only as Its champion. A
man who rewards his friends and settles with
his enemies and those who deceive and desert
him, does not fail of profound public respect.
Judged by a human standard. "he is all right
In this country. and especially with the Re
publican masses. no dishonest. corrupt, or I'M
truthful man, unreliable and unsafe as an ad-
wiser. or untrue to his friends and country. can
lead his party one hour or one brief moment. In
the past. men, the idols of devoted millions OF
Republicans. have fallen from their high ped
estals in an hour. Look at the results Of the
Credit Mobilier. back salary, &c. The road we
have travelled Is strewn with wrecks going to
prove the truth OF the assertion that no discred-
tied. dishonored, untruthful. or unfaithtul man
was ever retained as a leader or " boss Of the
Republican party for an hour even when there
existed a suspicion OF his infidelity only.
Senator Platt came TO the leadership oil. his
party when discredited leaders had buried. 1t
under more than n hundred thousand majority
in the great State of New York. He has con-
tinued to lead 1t on. step by step. through con-
fiict after conflict. until the position. has been
reversed. and to-day its victorious hosts out
number the Democratic cohorts moro than two
hundred thousand.
1t was his magnificent inspiration of Sound
money and an honest currency for an honest
people !" that made Republican victory possible
In the great battle Of SO. 1t was the r~allving
cry OF the honest men Of the nation. 1t seems to
me, a Westerner. tn t all these things prove
him an honest man and n capabl and sincere
leader. in whom the party and people have a
well-founded confidence.
This leads me TO inquire, Why do the Mug.
wumps and deserving Republicans hate him SO 7
Is il because he Is a successful leader, who has
redeemed party and Statef DO they fear him
because they know he penetrates the mask Of
their hypocrisy and knows them as they ere !
Or is 1t because, having deceived him once. they
know he cannot be deceived by them again 7
There must be some reason not appearing
on the surface. If there were more leaders in
party would be imprcgnable and unconquerahle.
T c. Platt is all right, and, as was said by the
same Mugwumps of an idol they had erected,
I'VE love him for tho enemies he has made"
WESTERN REPUBLICAN.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 8.