New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-05
THE VAST SILENCE OF QUIGG.

More impressive, more august, vaster IN It's
influence and more comprehensive In Its grasp,
further reaching in It's significance more ire
mendous in It's import, nay, when one listens
intelligently louder even than anything that
has proceeded from behind the Outstretched
forefnger at No 1 Madison Square during the
last two months, Is the large, heavy and pervad-
ing silence now occupying the space so lately
filled by Iemuel Ely Quigg 1t can be heard
above the din of the horsecars and the cable
roads Passertby put their fingers in their ears
on account of it. No silence was ever so loud
so overwhelming. II is II the Cave of the
Winds had suddenly reversed its functions, and
from exhortaton turned to suction. Or as if
the prolonged shrill whistle with which the
traveller through 4 graveyard maintained his
courage had changed suddenly ut sight Of some
thing into the awestruck sibilance with which
the puckered lips take back their wasted wind
Where lately sat the priest upon his tripod. in
haling intoxicating vapors and emitting prophe
ces turks now the lonely janitor caressng
furtively a solitary wastebasket. Silence every
where; dm mighty, profound, visible, audible
weighing tons. Delphi is dumb. Quigg has
moved out.
Gone, they say, to White Sulphur Springs
Zone tlcre lOr rest. hpSl LOT HIS pTOpllPtlC
gifts, which for two months he has kept on tap
for the worlds enlightenment Rest for his
chin, which for two long months he has kept in
motion with such unceasng assiduity that It
was difficult to tell at times whether he was
emitting eloQuence or chewing gum. Rest for
his tired forefnger, held so long in pose, point
ing the way to victory, that 1t must have grown
numb with the tension Rest for the sanguine
spirit that elected General Tracy so long before
the election that the voters took it for granted
and let it go at that. Rest for his weary eyes,
worn out with watching for what never came,
and spent with looking deep into the future AT
things that were not there Rest for head and
hands and brains. and peg on which to hang
the very serviceable hat through which he has
done so much talking He needs rest Let us
hope he will find it at White sulphur Springs.
Yet why White Sulphur? Why any sulphur:
Why go away from home for sulphur when the
air is so full Of 1t here? Full! Of sulphur of all
sorts and colors-whlte red, yellow, blue green,
all the cOlors of the rainbow in fact. Had he
remained at his headquarters and listened 10
the warm-hearted and stirring remarks OF per-
sons who had heard or read bis interviews and
speeches and believed them, he would not have
needed TO go 10 Virginia or anywhere else for
sulphur Of any sort. He would have found the
air blue with it; bluer, if possible, than the
"true-bue Repubca1ism" which he has been
preaching SO long and with such ardor He
may need rest, TO be sure, but why he should
go away from home for sulphur passes COM
prehenson. Unless, indeed, as now occurs to
u.s. he may have been impeed by curiosity 10
follow the trail which Mr.. Asa Bird Gardiner
marked out for reform. In that event he may
come back with some new and original ideas on
that subject, possibly having a birthstone smell
about them. We shall look for his return with
interest.
But, speaking of Quigg, where's Platt?