New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-12
A WORD OF CAUTION.

The earnestness and sincerity OF some or the
more active and ardent spirits in the Citizens
Union who are just now keeping themselves IN
tho foreground cannot be doubted. The IT'D
me Is so well convinced of that it never raises
q ouestlon on that score But il does feel called
unon occasionally in the interest OF the cause
which In common with the Citizens Union II
desires 10 promote TO differ with these ardent
and active spirits as to methods of procedure
Even then II ventures to differ with them only
when their method seems TO be so lacking in
Judgment and discretion as to put the cause
itself in peril They can do this because they
are in some sense representative men. 1t does
not matter much that their representative char
acter Is due more TO their having taken the
initiative than to their having been made so by
the spontaneous action of the large body or
ct,zens for whom they stand. 1t is enough
that their prominence is recognized in way by
the public whether they assumed it Of their
own yolition or were elevated to it by general
acclaim. The Tribune is disposed to treat them
as the representative men OF an important or
ganzation. without questioning either their own
official character or the title Of the Orgaaza-
ton TO command the absolute confidence ana
unauestioning support Of citizens. 1t takes
patriotic and in such consonance with the aspira-
tons and desires of all good citizens, and they
are wlthal so early in the field and so prompt in
action that 1t only depends upon what they see
ft 10 do themselves whether they will or will
not be taken by the great body of citizens with
as much seriousness as they obviously take
themselves 1t is within their power to con-
tribute to the success of great and important
al, x,,it hot al
bilities 10 defeat it by the self-assertlon which
will not consent TO be cOntributory, but de-
mands leadership. prominence control.
May we be permitted. them TO say that, in
our Judgment, some Of these active and ardent
spirits are in danger of forgetting the ultimate
purpose of their organization in the diversion
Of their minds 10 the trivial and comparatively
unimportant consideration Of the character and
antecedents Of the persons and parties and fac
tions with whom they are liable TO be thrown
into association in pursuit of common pur-
pose and whose cooperation Is essential to the
attainment of 4 common and most desirable
end: To be specific: We really cannot see how
Mr. John Brooks Leavitt is aiding the cause ne
undoubtedly has at heart by emphasizing differ
ences between the organization Of which he is
80 conspicuous and outspOken n representative
and the RepuDllcan organization OF tHlS couH-
ty, which, whatever may be its faults and short
comngs. is at least the representative body of
the party from which the movement represent
ed by the Citizens Union must derive its most
important and largest numerical support 1T Is
only common-sense TO suppose that the mass OF
voters who have voted the Republican ticket
heretofore have consented at least II they have
not given unqualified adhesion to the party
management The Tribune, it Is hardly neces-
sary to say, believes that management 10 have
been open TO serious objection, but II recognizes
the fact that the mass Of Republican voters
have for one reason or another-sympathy,
apathy or rdfference-asse to 1t, and 1t
knows that however that may be, the great ma
jorlty of them are in entire sympathy with the
Citizens Union movement So, as there is moth
Ing 10 be gained by reminding Republican voters
of the sins Of omission or commission OF the
party managers whom they have followed, but,
on the contrary. some risk Of giving them I'M
necessary offence by II, Tho Tribune ventures
the suggestion once mere thu: this sort Of thing
does not promote that harmony Of feeling and
unity Of action that mus; he had II the cause In
which we are all interested is to succeed.
No matter about Senator P.atts former rela-
lions with Tammany. No matter about Presi-
dent Quigg's devotion to Senator Plat. No mat