New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-22
"pURELY As POLITICS."

Mr. Nathan Straus who is himself faithful
Democrat, and was once the Tammany Hall
candidate for Mayor. has arrived at an accurate
comprehension of Democratic campaign issues
as now formulated and urged When asked II
Mr.. Stanchfield's demagogic agitation against
department stores would affect his relations
with the Democratic party he answered: Il
don't know as 1t will. l regard Mr.. Stanch-
"ield's attack on department stores purely as
politics"
That is one of the most Illuminating remarks
made in this campaign. 1t hits the nail squarely
on the head, and it is true not only OF the
Croker-Stanchied department store issue, but
OF nearly every other issue which the Organizes
are parading before the people. There is no
sincerity no conviction behind them They are
urged purely as politics" as intelligent Demo
Gratis themselves admit Mr.. Straus tells what
the party's pretences on one subject are worth
Other Democrats elsewhere. where different
issues are trumpet up in the hope that they will
be good enough Morgans till after election, do
not hesitate TO express their contempt for their
party's campaign lodges, even though as
matter of habit they may support it's ticket The
great paramount" antiimperial issue is re-
garded by thousands Of Democrats purely as
politics." Many Southern Democratic news
papers frankly declare that the Democracy Is
wronged by 1t, and that the outcry awakens no
response among their people, who for the most
part sympathize with the expansion policy of
the Administration and regard the Kansas City
Platforms declarations on the subject as hol-
low sham. The consent of the governed
preaching becomes just politics in the light of
North Carolina practice. Mr. StanchieId is on
record as being enough of an imperialist to
support the Presidents conduct of affairs in the
! issue is laid aside in this State as piece of
| stage property not adapted to the play pro-
| duced here.
The trust issue is likewise to be regarded
purely as politics." The eminent Democrats
| who are connected with trusts so regard it.
| They do not mix business and politics, except
! when they can use politics aid in work
ing for their own pockets all the time" Mr..
| Augustus Van Wyck is a great foe to trusts,
and purely as politics" he can produce highly
moral sentiments about them; but when ii
comes down TO the realities Of life he is found
drawing trust dividends as sturdily as the most
wicked Republican plutocrat Mr.. Richard
Croker purely politics" denounced the Ice
Trust specifically in his Saratoga platform after
he and his associates had been partners in it.
The Democratic party purely as politics" tried
to make campaign issue out Of the Boer war
this city for the Boer widows and orphans, SIS
OF which went to the widows and orphans anG
$1.1S2 went for expenses of Mr.. Suzer and his
associates In their capacity as BOer sympa
thizers in chief. The division of the collection
accurately reflects the proportion of sympathy
and politics in the movement.
So 1t is with the other Democratic issues ex
cept those which are the essence of Organism
and these are being carefully kept out of sight
Mr.. Bryan is really in earnest and has genuine
convictions only on the issues which We're til,
distinctive features of the Chicago platform anC
are reaffirmed In the Kansas City declaration
He means what he says in behalf of free silve
and against the Federal courts. His famou
promise Of 1896 to the COXey bummers VIII
wanted liberty to convert public parks to pri
vate use-"There will be no sign up to keep of
: the grass when 1 President"-stll hold
] good. He still demands that rioters shall hav
! liberty TO destroy property first and answer 70
, 1t in court afterward and that courts shall no
, exercise their immemorial right and duty O
, preventing irreparable wrongs beforehand. H
, is earnest about packing the Supreme Court 4
the interest Of Populstic tax schemes. The oil
policies he advocated In 1896 are his real col
victions. The rest is just politics with which
and his followers play TO prejudice and ignC
rance and passion.