New-York tribune., 1900-08-22
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
A VERY CANDID REPUBLICAN


s BIS DISCRETION EQUAL TO HIS coURAoDI
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: Though somewhat premature, II would
be interesting to know what The Tribune thinks
OF the nomination Of Mr.. Coler by the Demo-
Gratis for Governor Of New-York State. Con-
sistently and persistently The Tribune has stood
out against the things that Plat and Croker
represent in politics and party management, ana
which things Mr.. Coler broadly and clearly de-
fines as "commercialism in politics." Croker
has never sought any other definition Mr.
Platt and his machine, n Difference to a sup
posed moral sense in the Republican party, have
trotted out a sort OF Trojan horse for the real
thing and christened II the organization" II
they wished TO hallow some nefarious project
in the Legislature they dubbed it organization:
to nominate some plant tool for Office they plas-
tered him over with the cross mark OF the ''or-
ganization" Opposition within the party TO
what they were pleased TO call "the organiza-
ton" was Immediately branded as disloyalty TO
the party. This is their mode OF securing com
merciaIism in politics" It is not as frank and
brutal Crokers but It comes 70 the same
thing.
II we have had & man IN these latter days in
the State OF New-York who, as public official or
private citizen, stands squareIy openly, def
antly against the british system Of com
mercialism in politics" that largely rules in
both political parties. Mr.. Coler is that man He
has done everything possible said everything
possible, TO make him an utterly impossible can
didate 70 the commercialism in his owu party.
He has done and said everything possible to
make himself obnoxious to the instincts that
govern Mr. PIatt and his machine, and he keeps
right doing and saying and it Is not recorded
that he runs TO Mr.. Croker or any other politi-
clan TO get their views OF his saying. thinking
and doing
The Republicans have tried Roosevelt The
glamour OF khaki glory has shed a sofled
spectabiity over the organization" that rem
ders II more difficult TO detect the uncleannesz,
and our latter end is to be depIored than
our former. You cannot regenerate tramp by
simply putting him in new suit OF clothes.
But here comes man at last, 8 Democrat,
and he seems TO have the real stuff IN him.
with no 1ingIinE sentences no strenuous con-
hdence about reforming the iEcorr1gtble. but
with real. quiet, genuine sort Of q ring TO
him What II the Democrats should nominate
MI Coer7 Shall turn and rend him with the
cry. What good thing can come out Of Naza-
reth?" and straIghtway go out and vote for
Plat and Republican 'commercialisrn." even
though the glamour Of Roosevelt make II some
what hopeful Of not being quite as bad as It
might bef Or shall we pray and hope and work
nominate Mr.. Coier7
But Mckinley and the National ticket! Il
would never do for Republicans to vote for
Coler. It might elect him and thus possibly de-
feat Mckinley. and then we would have Bryan
and unutterable woes. Well It might but Il
"oommercialism in politics" means eternal
smash by slow processes. can much greater
harm come II we slip along little faster into
the inevitable confusion with Mr. Bryan and free
seem impossible for the Republicans 10 nominate
& who would in any measure represent
what Mr.. Coler does TO those who are opposed
to the present system Of party management.
The names far mentioned. the very best
and most hopeful OF them look bedreggled by
the side OF Mr.. Coler, with his clean and aggres-
sive record. This whole thing finally gets down
TO one OF men, backbone and courage. Polid-
cal faiths and party Affiliations must play
minor part II We TO get out OF the woods
al all
We want q Governor who win neither eat
reep nor drink with "commercialism IN poll
tics" and then there will be hope for men
in their respective party affiliations who refuse
to bow the knee 70 BaaI-some hope for clean
fight principles and broad policies
Why not let the so-calIed Republican organiza-
ton, e. Platt and his machine nominate
whom IT peases since whomsoever It pleases
pOHb4oly CIlduse real ISSUE
the Democrats 70 nominate Coler and, having
nominated him, let Republicans, Prohibitonlsts
Democrats and all who opposed TO existing
conditions Of party management unite to give
him such emphatic majority will settle the
question as to the size Of the real independent
vote in the State and make it possible hence
forth and perhaps for years TO come, for 8 man
10 engage in party politics and yet retain MS
manhood. R. Il
New-York. Aug 13 1900
MT r7npHTUE- THE DEFEAT Tow.