The sun., 1903-11-17
On the Importance of Being sincere

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On tho Importance Of Being sincere.
The Hon. SETH Lows faith in human
nature is now thoroughly revised. He is
no LONGER the ardent and impulsive be-
lever that he was when he first ran for
Mayor of New York. Mr. Lows first
steps ir. the Art of Boycotting for Polltl-
cal Consideration we're taken under the
distinguished tuition Of the Hon. LIMO
TYPE DoNNELLY. He was a proficient
and grateful pupil. He mastered all the
subtleties of the boycott, enjoyed its true
rewards; and DoNNELLY was compen-
sated for his pains with seat on the
Board of Education, which he still graces.
Some one lately ventured word Of
friendly warning to Mr.. ROOSEVELT
concerning the flckleness OF the new
socialistio friends whom he was cul-
tivatng. Nonsense, the President
retorted. "Why, if SARGENT were to go
back on me would lose all my faith IN
human nature!" The President may
be right; he generally is, and 1t must
be frankly admitted that he is of a more
engaging and taking personality than
the Hon. SETH Low.
The latter gentleman, however, could
give him valuable lessons from the rich
etorehouse of his late experience. He
had made what might be considered, at
least by some people, the gravest per-
eonal sacrifices in behalf Of the Sacred
College Of Labor. He not only incurred
the suspicion Of conspiring to destroy a
private indiv idual' g business In return for
votes, but he also seemed willing for that
consideration to betray the welfare Of
persons who had done him and were even
then doing him no inoonsiderable servicei
persons, in fact, who we're actively and un-
selAshly promoting Mr.. Lows own well
fare. viii It be denied that to do this
involved an extraordinary seh-sacrlhce
on Mr.. Lows part2 That he. the son
OF one Of the most honored merchants Of
New York, he the civic dignitary, he the
ex-president Of Columbia College, the
disciple Of the higher hurnanities, and the
gentleman, should put aside all his nat
,,ral proclivitiae and obligations and dc
that which Mr.. Low did implied degree
Of moral courage and self-denisl nothing
short Of extraordinary.
Having had this marvellous resolution
and having done those things, Mr.. Low
very reasonably, as he thought, expected
an adequate recognition and requital.
Singular as IT may seem, neither was
forthcoming. In the late election that
voting element which Mr.. Low had pro-
pihated, at such irreparable cost, turned
against him and against all the moral
ideals which he inoulcated and went over
noisily and insolently to- Tammany. Or
ganized labor declared itself, officially
and frankly, on the side OF the enemy, in
what Mr.. Low regards as base ingrati-
tude. Even the man whom Mr.. Low in
sisted on putting on the ticket with him
for Sheriff, and whom he chose as a
prototype of PARKS, very bel-wether
Of walking delegates, this man, after a
very lucrative term Of Office not yet
ended, went against him. AS notorious
and disreputable organizer Of strikes, for
consideration, he obtained an impor-
tant place on the original fusion ticket
for his supposed ability to control las an
example of proficiency in practical poll
tics] the labor vote. Very likely he did
have a following and did deliver 1t at
that time; but when Mr.. Low came out
again for vindicahon of good govern
ment he turned against his benefactor
and stung the hand that had warmed
him into aff1uence.
Melius esse guam pideri. One is al
most tempted to deduce the moral that
It is wiser not to attempt to propitiate
and conciliate labor when one has only
ones own advantage in view in doing so
Labor Is not stupid nor otherwise lack.
ing in perception. 1t instinctively and
for the most part, unerringly, appre.
hends the motive Of the appeal to its
suffrages and is too shrewd not tc
avail itself promptly Of an occasion whcr
something is to be gained. Indeed
we think it never fails to detect selfish
ness and to requite it mercilessly; as {
rehuke, maybe, to the implied reflection
on its intelligence,
When a gentleman of high social sta
,ion develops within himself an uncon
trolIable passion for on elective Office
and forthwith addresses himself to the
pursuit OF popularity, he is apt to fal
into an excess of zeal. 1t might be de-
scribed, for instance, us an undue exces:
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