New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-10-03
Mr.. SHEPARD'S Surrender

| mirtee on Mr.. Edward NJ. Shepard as the Tam
many candidate for Mayor will he received with
| equanimity by its political enemies and with
dlsmay by his personal friends Mr. Shepard
| is refined. mild hammered, retiring scholarly
gentleman. whose attachment to the principles
| of the Democracy of Jefferson. Jackson and
an Rilren is tradition. if not a religion. and
whose strong ethical impulses have put him in
active opposition TO the Democracy of Tam
| many Hall and Willoughby Street as often as
| his conscience could overcome his prejudices
His friends. while believing in his honesty of
purpose have before now been compelled to &C.
knowledge the existence of quirk in his BRAIN
which made his usually acute intelligence Mt
terly Enthusiastically when what he had per-
| suaded himself to regard at any particular mo-
lnent as Democratic principles were involved.
They will now he compelled to confess that his
Judgment is worthless when ambition is in
volved: for no one of them will believe that Mr.
Shepard would consent to become the champion
of Croker and Devery and Tim Sullivan in
campaign against municipal non partisanship
under the leadership of Seth Low. if his con-
science were not blinded and his Judgment
warped so that he did not realize the true quail
ity OF his action and the estimate of other hon.
orable men upon ii. Mr. Shepard is his own
worst enemy when he makes that surrender to
the Tammany politicians. whose proceedings,
before they became bad as they are now he
denounced ''the most insoent and audacous
las well as the most reckless assault we have
yet known upon the welfare of the greater
"New-York,' and antagonizes Mr.. Low, whom
four years ago he eulogzed standing in mu-
nicpal affairs for the true Democracy of his
scholarly idolatrv. His friends will not be-
lieve that
Just for handful of silver he left US
Just for ribbon to stick in his coat
but will say sadly of their Ichabod:
the tempter hath
snare for all;
And plying tears not scorn and wrath
Beft his fall.
So much for his personal friends As for the
political opponents of Tammany whom he now
makes his OVID. they have reason to hope that
the plan for his nomination may be smoothly
accomplished. Some of them who have seen
his willingness to become the Croker candidate
have been sorry to see his record so soon dis
cussed as it has been in a Democratic news
paper Regret as they might to see an honor
able reputation dragged in the mud by Croker
and Devery. and used as cloak for their hide
Gus offences against this city, they could not
help awaiting with some satisfaction and dis
Greet silence nomination which promised such
excellent material for an anti-Tammany cam
paign. and avoiding any disturbance of that
helpful programme. They have only TO hope
that 1.-The Brooklyn Eagles" natural solictude
to prevent the Democracy of Kings County
from beginning a journey TO 1.-The door of an
asylum may not s'are Croker into breaking
his agreement and leaving Mr.. Shepard without
the nomination which he has agreed TO accept
Mr.. Shepard has too frequently commended Mr.
Low and the principles he stands for to
make any effective campaign against him. He
has too frequently condemned Croker and all
that he stands for as the protector of vice and
crime to make any convincing apology for him
now. And he has too violently attacked not
only the policies but the personal and religious
character of President Mckinley. of whose
moral heroism and unaffected religious faith all
Judgment OF men and motives TO the confidence
Of the people or establish the belief that as
Mayor his balance. moderation and judgment
would not he wrecked by his vehement if hon
est. prejudces.
IT is moi pleasant thing for believers in hon
est City government suddenly to find in one they
had been accustomed to regard a friend the
willing champion Of the continued reign of cor
ruption but the duty which will be forced npon
them il Croker finally accepts Mr. Shepards
offered homage is one which they can meet with
confidence largely strengthened by his own
words and actions.