New-York tribune., 1898-01-12
DOWNING A "CONSPIRACY."

The general public are probably not aware OF
It. but It Is a fact all the same that there IS
now In progress right here on this Island OF
Manhattan desperate struggle with a great
conspiracy The design Of the conspiracy is 10
destroy the Republican party by drawing a fac
tional line through it, with the party on one
side and Platt and Qugg on the other. No In
telligent reader Of 1.-The NewYork Sun"-if
there be such person-need be told that such
a cleavage, though entirely innocuous as to
Platt and Quigg, who have sure refuge else
where, would be fatal to the Republican party
Engaged in this Infamous conspiracy are all the
Republican newspapers Of this city. the Union
League Club and large majority OF the Re
publican party. II began to take shape last
year, when 125,00O voters with fendish malig-
nifty actually put themselves on record al will
ing-nay, anxious even-to nominate cand-
date for Mayor without first consulting Platt
the Master" or Quigg. the Unit" The con-
sp.racy grew to such dimensions that a: the
November election the number OF conspirators
appeared to be in a majority of 10000. This
Notwithstanding the fact that Platt and Quigg
and their organ had called the conspirators
fools and traitors day after day, and by all
sorts of similar methods endeavored to concl-
ate and unity the party.
1t is gigantic conspiracy. 1t Is still going
on In fact. 1t seems 10 be growing. An alarm
ing feature about it is that while Republicans
who were not engaged in 1t last November have
been drawn into ii in large numbers, those who
remain faithful are apathetic, apparently not
caring what becomes Of Plat and Quigg. In
this state Of things it is interesting. If not en-
couragng TO note that the struggle Of the P.-Q.
Itch, ND
ardor. That emblem Of fidelity and apostle Of
purity keeps up the work Of exposing the con-
splracy and putting down the conspirators with
the most bewildering assidulty. 1t strikes heavy
blows IN its editorial department and blows
heavy strikes from its countngroom. 1t is en-
gagged in n task beside which Mrs. Partington
heroic effort against the Atlantic Ocean seems
tame and easy. But 1t never falters. 1t means
TO put down all the Republican newspapers OF
this city; the Union League Club which it con-
sders nest Of traitors and h0tbed OF treason,
and majority of the Republican party. whom
II cannot help looking upon as unmtigated
idiots It is a great struggle. And most inter
esting to look at. 1t does, in fact, put down all
these elements Of the infamous conspiracy every
day But they all seem somehow TO rise up
during the night, and, like Sisyphus. It has all
its work to do over again.
And the most interesting feature OF the whole
business is that until Plat found THE Sun
wandering round homeless after Tammany's
defeat in 1894. and tied string to 1t, it spent
most Of It's time abusing these same Republican
conspirators for conspring against the Tam
many Democracy Platt set it to work mmedi-
atey at unlfying the Republican party. Well,
Plat and Quigg are mt great political leaders,
but they are Mt least entitled to the credit OF
having furnished this community one Of the
most amusing spectaces that has been fur
nlshed since their organ said to General Han
cock art thou In health my brother" and
socked It to him under the fifth.