The herald., 1897-12-03
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3. 1897.
THE PARTING OF THE WAYS

Mr.. WOlcOtt'S failure has much or sig
nificance for Mr.. Wolcott, whose polit-
ical destiny was very much involved in
the outcome, and which now depends
upon the use he shall make Of his fail
ure. He it was who inspired the under
taking, urged it's practicability upon the
executive and became it's logical head
and moving spirit. Younger in years,
experience and public service than eth
er of his colleagues on the commission,
he yet easily became the dominating in
fluence and the controlling factor in the
shaping and exploiting of its policy.
Without previous diplomatic experience
or training, he yet displayed a finesse
almost equivalent to genius in securing
for his cause respectful hearing. So
strongly marked with his individuality.
indeed, was the whole movement, that
the other members of the commission
were quite lost sight of, their fame as
statesmen and diplomats being over
shadowed by the lustre of this daring,
chivalrous and precocous leader. Mr..
Wolcott possesses a unique personality,
and because of this his future move
ments will be watched with more than
casual interest by those who are best
acquainted with his distinguishing
characteristics and who are most IA
popularity of his environment. Any es-
innate of the man which ignores his
manly independence or courage will be
incomplete and misleading. He is
brainy, resourceful self-relant, tact
full, and his methods are marked by dash
and incision. He is ever found doing
the unexpected thing in a way quite out
of the ordinary. In refusing to abandon
his party in the last campaign because
of its attitude on the silver question, he
displayed as much heroism as did SEN
ator Teller in leaving it, for he well
knew what it meant to set at defiance
the overwhelmingly dominant sentiment
of his constituents in Colorado. Few
men in public life would have had the
hardihood to thus tempt fate and court
political destruction. But throughout
the campaign that followed he was never
seen to waver, and where his plume
waved in the mountain breezes was the
thickest of the fight. In the political
annals of this country a forlorn hope
was never more heroically or chival-
rously led. He was playing for high
stakes, however and the skirmish with
his own clans was but an incident of the
campaign. He doubtless calculated that
measurable success with his contem-
plated mission abroad would not only re-
suit in reinstating him in the affections
of his own people, but at the same time
in Matchmaking his fame. That would
have been the inevitable outcome of a
successful issue of his mission. for he
could easily have commanded all the
credit for the achievement
But. unfortunately for him. it has
failed, and he can no more shirk the re-
sponsibility than he would wish to es-
cape the honor with which a contrary
result would have crowned him. He has
just entered upon the Threshold of hi,
second term in the senate, and eniovs
the distinction of being not only its
youngest but at the same time one Of It's
most forceful and influential members.
He may, for the time being, continue to
snap his fingers at the opposition which
his course has provoked. But he will
cies at his peril, for the day of reckon
Ing will come on apace, and his retire