New-York tribune., 1905-12-23
Yet each man kills the thing he loves

Like the swain who is ready to die for the OBJ
ject of his affections but cannot forbear running
her health by the persistence of his mldhlgh'
hour deyotions Mr.. Odell is ready TO laYlsh hlul-
self upon the Republican party, but not TO give
It rest He is jealous lover, and If his lazy
thinks that somebody else may be more usefui
to her than himself he is out for blood, qulle III
the spirit of Sicilian romance.
We have never sympathized with the unquall-
fed condemnation of Mr.. Odell. We have felt
that he was a good and efficient Governor and
that hereafter when prejudices had died away
his administration would take rank among the
best I'm the history Of the state. When, as Gov
ernor he insisted real as well as utuar leau-
ership, and to maintain it took the state chalr-
manship we felt that he was JUSTIFIED II not
polite We have attributed much Of the outcry
against Mr. Odell 10 personal prejudice, facton-
oil jealousy and partisan enmity, and have stead
ilv supported him In what regarded as sin
cere effort for the welfare Of the Republican
party But we cannot lgnore-Mr. OdeH hlm-
self cannot ignore-the widespread popular DIS
trust of his leadership Whether 1t is just or
unjust whether it is only one manifestation OF
the sport of boss batting, so prevalent IN an
parts of the country, or is the outcroppng Oh
special and particular dislike, the fact remains
that almost all independent and an extremely
large number of Republican voters cherish an
abiding desire to hit Mr.. Odell and defeat any
ticket closely identified with his interests. Inc
ex- Governor knows this and in some MOODS mas
felt disposed to think that he could pest pro-
mote the party welfare, as well as his own per
sonal comfort, by retiring. But the hablt OF
politics seems to be too strong for him, ana the
first sign of party action without his previous
advice and consent strs his ire and threatens 10
embark him on q rule or ruin policy.
Perhaps this is human nature Mr. Oden may
fae1 his unTonuIarity TO be unjust and think 1t a
hard saving that other leadership would be bet
for for the party But he is too much of a poll
tfcian not to recognize that the duty OF an Or
ganization IS TO keep in harmony with popular
feeling On matters of principle popular preJu-
dice must sometimes be defied, but on matlers
of mere organization and personality 1t is the
business Of parties to win elections by CONFORM
ing to the settled wishes of the voters MT.
OdeV himself, when he felt that the leadership
of Senator Plett was weakened and the parry
In peril, Notwithstanding ancient ties of graft
t1lde pushed him aside. When he thougnC the
Governorship of THEODORE Roosevelt had nrought
about embarrassing political conditions he did
not let Mr. Roosevelt's high character and de-
sire for a second term as Governor prevent MS
translation to the impartial dignity of the vice
Presidency, so that endangered organization In
+erests might be defended by another canH-
date It is doubtless hard for him to realize
that In turn he himself may have become pollt-
icaIly unavailable and that the best service that
he can render the party Of his love is to free II
from the burden of his unpopularity. But thus
uncertain is the favor of the people Even
Aristides by the very fame of his excellence
wearied Athens. Mr.. OdelI cannot hope to escape
the common fate and he will not add TO his
reDutation by putting personal pride and prowess
before the welfare Of the party Of his professed
devotion