The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-18
Young Men who Have Gone Astray.

Since the election we have been favored
with several communications from Repub-
IIcans who were entrapped into the mis-
chievous Low mutiny In an unwary mo-
ment. Those letters, apparently, come
from young men, and as 1t is with the
Young citizens that the future OF this re-
public rests, we rejoice at the evidence they
furnish of political zeal. But in order that
political activity shall be useful its zeal
must be directed by discretion.
That the run of the young Republicans
vho rushed so enthusiastically into the dis
astrous Low movement were impelled by
the most p~raiseworthy motives we do not
doubt. They meant to do good only but
actually they accomplished only evil. They
did not discern the true Significance of
the election and understand It's far-reach-
ing and tremendous Importance In Ameri.
can politics.
They proceeded on the assumption that
the election in the Greater New York was
a political contest wholly aloof from ma.
tional politics and of concern solely to the
citizens of the municipality itself. That
was a very narrow, provincial, and false
view, and by taking 1t II acting in &C.
cordance with it they caused political mis-
chief which is general and may be lasting.
Their enthusiastic but inconsiderate sup
port of Mr.. Low brought about a victory Of
the forces of Organism in New York which
already has encouraged and emboldened
them in all parts of the Union, n renders
them even more dangerous than before to
sound and good government and the peace
and security of this republic.
The election in New York, as these young
men must now see, was not an affair Of
provincial Importance only. 1t was of ma
tional consequence, was 80 recognized
throughout the Union during the progress
of the campaign, and is now treated as such
both here and everywhere else. So far, the
only benefits secured from it have been
reaped by the Organized Democracy; for
the Republican party its consequences have
been evil only. 1t has tended also to chill
the spirit which was warming into life the
business activity of the Union, and to bring
back the uncertainty and misgiving which
crushed enterprise last year.
These young Republicans, therefore, made
a grievous mistake In following the lead
/ of Mr.. Low. He himself was blinded by his
ambition or he would have seen the folly of
his quest. He is now q hopeless political
wreck. His political career is ended, for
such q rebellion as his needs to be success.
full to be justified. The most lamentable
consequence of 1t is the political demorali-
cation it has caused among young Republi-
cans who were diverted from sound politi.
cal leadership by his vain leadership.
1t will not be many months, however,
before we shall enter upon a campaign in
which there will be no han for private
ambition to seek its qualification by the
pretence that only questions Of parochial
politics are involved, and that the introduc'
tion of national issues is an impertinencc
and a crime. Next year there will be in this
State an election for Governor and for
Congressman, and no one will be
able to say that 1t Is an affair of only
local concern. 1t will be of direct and
vital national consequence. There will be
no excuse for non.partisanship then, and
our young Republican friends who went
astray so heedlessly and so unfortunately
under the leadership of Mr.. Low will have
genuine and really important issues tt
draw them back to the partisanship which
expresses strength of character and con
~viction, and to the party discipline which
is as requisite for the welfare of the Stat
as military discipline is to an army.
Young men, grid up your loins; there ar,
fierce battles of politics before you from
this forth until the close of the great cam
paign of 1900. Get into line and don
waste your energies in mutiny!