New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-20
KEEP COOL.

1t ought 10 he possible for politicians who
call themselves gentlemen and newspapers that
lay claim 10 responsibility TO conduct a munlc-
ipal canvass such ms Is now in progress Win
something like dignity and dccency. There IS
no occasion for ill-temper or heat. and least
of all is there any excuse for blackGuardiSm
and personal abuse Yet whoever has traced
the campaign in its development must have
noticed a disposition on the part of the Platt-
Ouicg managers from the very outset 10 indulge
in coarse and defamatory structures upon the
character and motives not only Of Seth Low anu
the Citizens Union. but of everybody who has
indicated a purpose 70 vote for Mr.. Low. and
especialIv of Republicans of influence and stand
Ing like Mayor Strong and General Arson G. Nc
Cook. who are taking an active part in the Low
canvass. The coarse backguardism and pal
pable falschoods with which General McCook
has been assalled In the columns Of The New
York Sun" fairly illustrate the methods OF the
managers and the tactics they have habitually
employed The assaults upon Mr. Lows private
character his personal and official integrity. his
usefulness as citizen, his standing as schoiar
and his honor rs a gentleman. began when his
name was first mentioned and have been cor
timed with increasing scurril!ty ever since
The obvious intent OF tilis WIS u" 'i'"'' ''"
blood and make any union Of his friends with
the Republican machine managers impossible
1t has succeeded
On the otner hand. II IL gratifying to be able
TO say that the friends and supporters OF Mr.
Low-lnjudicious and hasty OF temper as we
know some Of them TO behave not. been pro
vokcd into retorting in kind. General Tracy
has. as a rulc been treated with kindness and
consideration. The only complaint he has made
or his friends have made for him has been that
Mr. Low ntimated in one of his speeches that,
If elected Mayor, he would be controlled by
Senator Platt That was fair and legitimate
criticism General Tracy and his friends are
unduly sensitive IN their resentment OF II. For
the main issue upon which he Is running Is the
importance Of partisan municipal government
by the Republican organization. and Senator
Platt as everybody knows, absolutely dom
mates that organization. II General Tracy pre-
tends that he will ever antagonize Senator Flatt.
in the event Of his election, he is simply viola.-
ing the spirit and the text Of his own platform
He and his friends have reason 10 complain
of such criticism OF his position much less TO
resent II angrily, as they appear TO do
The contrast between the treatment OF Cen
era Tracy by his opponents and that OF Mr.
Low by the PlattQuigg managers Is marked
Let us hope It will continue 50. 1t is evidently
the aim of General Tracy's supporters to pro
woke retaliation. The friends Of Mr.. Low can
dsappont and defeat them by disregardng
their abuse and insults and prosecuting the can
vass to its close In calmness and good temper
Their fight Is against Tammany, and they are
making It in businesslke way with straight
forward sincerity and dlrecness While they
do this they can afford to let the abuse and
black guardsm of the machine, It's newspapers
and its domestic and imported orators pass I'M
Needed IT is good policy to keep cool and let
the other fellows work themselves into pas
sion. They lose their temper because they know
they are making n losing fight.