New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-24
THE CITIZENS UNION MOVEMENT.
REASONS WHY A REPUBLICAN MAY JOIN 1T
AND REMAIN Loyal TO HIS PARTY

REASONS WHY REPUBLICAN MAY JOIN IT
AND REMAIN LoyAb TO HIS PARTY.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The organization OF the Citizens Union has
placed many loyal Republicans in a predicament
and has raised In their minds the question. rs 1t
consistent with my professions OF loyalty to my
party TO join in this movement" Possibly the
sons that determined the Judgment OF one Repubii-
can may meet the difficulties Of another.
The influences of heredty and Of environment
probably determined my first vote. But the party
history and the principles for which II stands have
added TO these influences that of convictions care
fully formed and fixed. Moreover. leaning rather
10 the practical than 10 the theoretical school OF
politics, organization appears necessity, and the
Objectionable features incident to machine"
and which some hastily assert to be necessarily in
cident thereto. believe to be counteracted or
removed by intelligent agitation from within the
party and not by disconnected criticism from with
out which in the nature OF things is little likely
except in most rare cases, to prove effective. But
TO unite Yitn movement which, however humor-
ously criticised and carped at by party papers. is
professedly and distinctly aimed at municipal re-
form and clean and businesske city govern
ment. Is by means to assume the position of
disconnected outside critic For in the first place,
the objects of the Citizens Union ! conceive to be
Identical with those Of the Republican party along
municipal lines. Hence TO join the Citizens Union
In no wise runs counter TO my Republicanism or my
political convictions. The obvious rejonder. how
ever is "If the two identical in aim, why not
stick by your party?'
This introduces the element OF political eXped-
ency The common aim Of both organiZa tons is TO
defeat Tammany. The Citizens Union desires the
nomination Of efficient. upright men of wide repu-
tation and OF wide knowledge OF affairs. so that
from the outset the experiment OF a greater city
may be demonstrated to he successful and the
.ci., 70 lo
honest economical administration. The Republican
party also desires this--of course II does The
Greater New-York bill was party measure; ana
that il is an accomplished fact is due TO the I'M
renting labors Of the much criticised but for
tunately l think, effective machine" stu, the
machine looks further and very legitimateN ana
proper.y-from the standpoint OF practical politics
contemplates the patronage and offices incidental TO
this enlarged municipal administration
Out OF this perhaps. grows the antagonism. The
machine does not view with Indifference a move
mont likely TO leopard its control of patronage.
The Union is represented quit. Indifferent TO
this very practical and far-reaching detail 1t Is
not Indifferent The success In city government It
is working for implies good subordinates as well as
good chiefs OF departments and a good executive.
II imries good councillors and good Aldermen.
vou come in with us and avail. yourselves Of our
efficient detail Of organization IN the various eeC
ton districts you cannot win and yet you VIII ger
votes we ought 10 have, ara we cannot "ih'- Ergo
Tammany will win O. p D." ,,.,,.. -
Now this line of recrimination Is not likely 20
turn away wrath In fact there is Sonddn
the Citizens Union, which Il IN no wise merits Inc
young men who have Joined the movement VIII
prove the element Of us success They nave some n
but they have not the vices of political expert
ment-it will control them. The agitation has al.
ready set in operation one OF !ts tost pemfovt
iin interest which shows itself in the suggestion
Of names Of our foremost citizens to head the
Mr. Platt's interview in the Saturday papers in
ssts that the only successful movement against
Tamany orranz9ton Mr. Pats opinion on any
practical question such as tins Is that OF an 49,
regulars or outside the breastworks. The Citizens
Union. however, says, or VIII III tiine say Son
organized simply 10 compel recognition OF our deI
mand that the organzaon 10 3eat decna to assent
at juncture such as this.the launching OF our
Sea of troubles-to the offering Of nominations as
a reward for party loyalty. which is the course 10
be s eSps sec the Of eSg is dVeng public
sentiment TO the point Of compelling the Republican
whom not the Citizens Union merely but the cit.
at large in the Greater New- 1ork shall put
forward as their choice. II the Republican organl-
zation accepts these men who will be worthy lead.
anti-Tammany voters be an accomplished fact
,udgment makes it possible for every Republican
loving municipal reform to join the Citzens mon
Union on the score OF sheer audacity" and wan
ton recklessness" by Mr.. Patt or any one else is
gratuitous. uncalledfor and can accomplish no good
Surpose To arouse public attention and interest,
10 persuade worthy men to be standard bearers is
a worthy purpose. and, If accompIlshed, the Re-
and duty and TO dignity its campaign by accepting
'n THIS GeS viii mean Republican success next fall 1t
will also mean success to the Citizens Union. But
II tha marty does not see Its opportunity and the
nettv pride OF district leaders baks at what they
Cali "dictation the Union must perfect us own and
c-atr,fza iOr AM
wasted for the simple reason that civic duty Is
higher than party loyalty. The part OF good citi,
zanshn Is therefore TO join in the movement and
give 10 II wise counsels active enthusiasm and the
benefit OF political experience It's not In mortals
~ command success But wen do more Sempro-
nius-we'll deserve Il. II W. j.
New-York. May s, 1897.
SLAVERY IN ATRICA.