The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-10-27
Republican Recreancy.

But for its previous history, surprise
might be felt at finding the New York
Tribune combining with the worst enc
mics of the Republican party to defeat
that party and candidates for an i'm
portant office.
In 1872 the I'ribune'S editor was the
Democratic candidate for President.
In 1881 the Tribune was active in STIR
ring up party feuds and promoting
party discord that eliminated in the
assassination of President Garfield and
the disasters that followed. In 1882
that paper combined with the enemies
of its party to bury Judge Folger, the
Republican candidate for governor of
New York, under an adverse majority
os 10000. Grover Cleveland was the
beneficiary of the Tribune's recreancy.
The disasters that have befallen the
Nation as the result of Grover Cleve-
lands tenure of the office of President
had their beginning in the treachery of
the Republicans of New York to their
party in 1882. Folger was man of
superior ability. He had been secre-
tary of the treasury and had displayed
great executive and administrative ca
pacity. He was man of high charac-
ter and spotless integrity. He was
candidate without fault, but the Iri-
b,me, with its independent and mug
wump allies, imputed it grievous sin
that he was in favor with the admins
tration at Washington, at the head of
which was Chester A. Arthur. The
Tribune had had some political differ
ences with President Arthur, 30 the
edct went forth that, to punish the
President, who was citizen of New
York, Judge Folger must be sacrificed.
The edict was evented with maniacal
fury.
History is repeating itself. The
Tribune is now reaching out for the
throat of General Tracy, the Republi-
can candidate for mayor of Greater
New York, for the same reason that in
1882 it Joined with the band of con-
spirators in taking off Judge Folger.
1t is still nursing the baleful fires Of
the deplorable feud of the early eighties.
Thomas G. Plat is not of its political
family, but Mr.. Plat is conspicuous
member of the Republican party of
New York. Because the party which
harbors Mr.. Plat, with striking unan-
nifty and with the approval of Mr..
Plat, has nominated General Tracy
for mayor of Greater New York, there
fore the Tribune is again in rebellion
and is consorting with and aiding its
party's most implacable enemies. By
menacing Republican success in d.
vision of the nation whose vote has
often decided the result of national
election, the paper is imperilling in
1900 the victory achieved in 1896. And
this it seems willing to do,-to repeat
the terrible blunder of 1882, because it
cannot itself control, or "boss," its
party locally.
General Tracy is a candidate of the
very highest standard of merit and ex-
cellence. No better selection could be
made. He is strongly supported by
men of the stamp of Ex-Vice- President
Morton, Chauncey M. Depew, Cor
nelius N. Bliss, secretary of the in
terror in President McKinley's cabinet,
and great combining of others of his
fellow citizens of New York, in all de-
partments of life. Ex-President Har-
rison and the leaders of the Republican
party in other States of the Union have
spoken strong words of commentator
of his candidacy, and urged upon the
Republicans of New York the vital i'm
portance, from a national point of view,
of uniting to elect him. Vermont
wishes him God speed. If he is elected
her traditional task of striking the
key note" in the Republican camp in
1900 will become blithesome duty.