New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-05
THE REAL CAUSE OF DEFEAT
IGNORANCE OF THE MULTITUDE AND INDIFFER-
ENCE OF INTELLIGENT MEN TO PUB
Lie AFFAIRS

IGNORANCE OF THE MULTITUDE AND INDIFFER-
EScE OF INTELLIGENT MEN TO PUB
Lie AFFAIRS.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: There is general. underlying cause for
the momcntary defeat Of reform that has not been
mentioned In the various comments reported. To be
sure. 1t is often implied. in explanation or an
other But il needs an explicit statement. and
needs 10 be clearly IN lerstood and estimated by
a large number of citizens before there can be any
permanent reform accomplished.
Various minor causes have been charged with
the failure elect Mr.. Low. The whole action Of
Mr.. Plat. with his supporters. Mr. Quigg and
others and the subserviency Of the machine are
only worthy Of contempt and reputation. They
not wise politicians. They missed a
great chance TO appear as champions OF a reform
administration. And had their support resulted in
Mr.. Lows election they would have obtained
limited occasion for professions Of devotion 10 the
cause Of reform. and 1T the same time to prepare
for victory and spoils later But Mr. Platt was
not the real cause OF Mr. Lows defeat. He is but
one man and 1t actually took many thousands 10
accomplish the fact. The deeper
Neither is the supposed return OF the George
forces TO Tammany Hall an adequate explanation
Why did they return Tammany Hall? Why did
so many Republicans obey Plat? These the
questions that point TO the real But the
answer few ready to accept as satisfactory
Yet reform depends upon It's acceptance and upon
the actions that Will follow such acceptance
The great difficulty lies In thoroughly unintel-
gent conception OF government as appears In sucn
phrases as these Victory OF the plain people"
progressive business fired OF REFORM" "voters
know what they want" people amply equipped
TO govern themselves "-all this says Mr. Croker
These imply very simple process OF reasoning
that, In spite or It's falacy appeals to every
critical man. The argument is this: AL govern
me- is by the oeople-every man asscnts out o;
C. lcency with the proposition. The people are
no. -,ols-the complacency becomes earnesness
Therefore. every political election IS n remark
able vlndication Of the wisdom and patriotism Of
, ,af pc oeaInesiness turns to surprise and de-
.ight at the glorious success OF Republican institu
Now, as a matter Of fact the people do govern
is this that, while most are weli-disposcd honest
sort Of men. they are Just as capable of mlStal@s
OF ignorance in their corporate capacity as in hcir
indvi0uaI judgments Public affairs h.e vast and
an ignorant man to see how they are re.ated to
him, and consequently 10 see what his real Inter
One element, then. Of the real cause for defeat is
me ignorance Of facts and the inability TO grasp
iead ana mink put II this way because Of my
behef-a fundamental belief-in the good Intentions
OF the great mass OF the people But this element
OF the real cause should not have the responsibility
Of defe Eat CHARGED up against # That would i'm
violently The responsibility is elsewhere.
responsible for the defeat Of refor VINO n ARE reay
teliigent man could appreciate how bcttllng and
telligent man could appreciate what Mr Low really
stood for. and how his election would be one step
toward permanent reform Only intelligent ma n
can comprehend how futile the usual campaign
methods are 10 induce intelligence I'm others Is
there so great lack OF intelligence. then? No
not at all But it Is the Indifference Of Intelligent
to public affairs. Ignorance on the part OF the
multitude Indifference the part OF the few: this
IL the real of defeat
Is 1t cause for encouragement. too? No,
Rather the spirit OF James e. Carter. ITO continue
the fight Let II begin now. for II is none too
soon -Four years are dreadfuy short time to
teach whole city 10 recognize appreciate and
strive for reform. Let IL be Il fight to show tina
the people do want reform. and that cant
phrases can no longer delude them. Let give
up the personal comfort OF ignorance and indrer-
ence and let us strive for reform. Respectfully
T j. LLOYD.
No. Al East sixty-ninth-st.. NewYork City. Nov.