New-York tribune., 1897-01-25
THE ANTI-PLATT SENTIMENT.

THE ANTIPLATT SEN1fuENI
In a communication which appears elsewhere
IN this paper touching the election OF Mr.. fla't
as United States Senator, the writer MI Johh
c. Whiteford. gives expression no doubt TO The
sentiments OH that subject OF many tribune
readers And. although his opposition to Mr..
Platt Is somewhat strongly stated. it is by no
means certain that a majority of the Repuplicah
voters of the State would not II the question
were brought TO the test Of an actual vote. agree
with him in the main in his characterization OF
the action of the Legislature. For great as Is
Mr.. Platt's apparent popularity with the active
Republican politicians who hold the Offices ana
control the movements Of the party machine, no
one who is at all conversant with public opinion
as represented by the mass OF voters mas al!
doubt that in a poll Of the Republican party the
number Of his opponents would be found 10 De
largely in excess of his supporters. Indeed, very
few even of his most devoted followers wolld
ever dream Of suggesting to him that he shouiu
venture test Of his popularity by Offering MN
self for an elective office to the popular SUI
frages His dsinclination to such test I'D the
last State election when his nomination for GOV
ernor was at least within the range or possiplll-
ties under conditions phenomenally favoraDie
for the success of any Republican candidate.
NAV be taken as q somewhat significant, as Well
as candid disclosure of his own views on that
subject
Our correspondent mildly criticises the atti-
tude of The Tribune toward Mr.. Platt as lack
ing in earnestness. Mild as 1t is-and express
ing perhaps. the views OF other Tribune read
ers ant-Platt men, whose hostility to that
gentleman Is permitted to outweigh broader con-
sideratIons Of the whole political sltuation-it
Is undeserved. The time to oppose Mr.. Platts
ambition for the Senatorshp. or the ambition
Of his friends to elevate him TO that position
whichever 1t was-was before the election OF
members Of the Legislature. The place was In
the primares where these members were chosen.
1t is all very we'll to say now that 1t ought to
have been done then and there The answer TO
that is that Mr.. Platts followers were too
sbrewd 10 permit the issue TO be raised. Any
attempt on the part of his opponents TO intrude
II into a canvass involving questions OF mo-
mentous consequence to the business interests
of the whole country would have been immedi-
ately drowned in the demand for harmony and
an outcry against factional disturbance. The
Tribune was not unaware Of the probability
that Mr. Platt's devoted followers would take
advantage Of the situation to perfect arrange
ments for gratifying his ambition. And it was
not without careful consideration and due de-
liberation that 1t reached the conclusion that 1t
was better upon the whole, TO take the chances
of Mr. Platt's election to the Senate than TO put
at risk the success of the Presidential ticket
II NAV be said. in answer that there was never
any doubt about the electoral vote Of this State
as shown by the returns. True, but the effect
of factional divisions in New-York upon doubtful
States. where the margin of Republican majority
was small. could not be calculated and might
have been disastrous.
The election past, the business was prac-
tically settled. Mr. Platts followers had the
game in their own hands And 1t must be
said that they have played 1t with uncom-
mon secretiveness and shrewdness. Within
twenty-four hours after the political complexion
of the Assembly was known 1t was as certain
as il is now that Mr.. Platt could have the Sen
atorship for the asking. Indeed, it was so well
fixed that he did not have even to ask for 1t. 1T
fell to him. The situation was as clear as the
sun at MONDAY without a cloud on the horizon
That a majority Of the party was strenuously
opposed to his election is undoubtedly true, but
the majority was unorganizcd. formless, incho-
ate. and the candidacy Of Mr.. ChOate, credltaDle
as II was TO the pure motives and high purposes
u
the beginning to have only the weight Of pro-
test In these circumstances The Tribune. after
restating. as was perhaps unnecessary. its own
unchanged and unchanging attitude toward Mr..
Platt and his following. their methods, prac-
tces and policies, prepared to accept the inevi-
table, If not cheerfully, with becoming resigna-
ton. 1t did not practise upon the credulity
Of it's readers by holding out false hopes, nor
han, with q
arguments against Mr. Platt with which every
body was familiar. When he was nominated,
instead Of dwelling upon the possibility or even
probability Of his disgracing the State. it took
occasion to point out how he might redeem his
reputation and make himself, If not great
statesman at least a useful public servant And
in the event Of his doing so. it promised him its
steadfast friendship As why should it not?
In its code Of ethics there is no objectionable
political sin that cannot be repented Of, no past
that cannot be retrieved and lived down.