New-York tribune., 1907-01-07
THE SINFUL PARTY.

The faith Of some of our Democratic contern-
Doraries in the original slnfulness OF the hf-
publican party is not TO be lightly shaken lt IS
q cardinal article of thei- belief that the party
is corrupt in morals and il lbecile in Intelligence,
and they are not going TO yield that persuasion
readily. IT IS almost a religion, and every one
knows the pain of having faith disturbed by doubt
sad questionngs. They hope against hope that,
after oil. it will turn out that the Republican
party is really the embodiment Of total deprav-
ity which they have always believed it TO be.
We have gone through year OF revelations. but
we cannot recall any shocking as the revela-
tion to some Of our Democratic friends or the
Republican party In another, role than one OF
wickedness aud folly. 1t is enough to shake
faith in a personal devil However. we must not
waste sympathy. The Democratic editors are
accustoming themselves to the new idea grad
ually, and they are not abandoning their old
rooted beliefs without a struggle.
They have not given up hope. We should
really hate to have them give it UP. They tell us
how Republican bosses from all over the state
are rushing TO Albany to save the State Railroad
Commission. Without the State Railroad Com
mission the Republican machine would "go TO
pot" They can see evidence of this tremendous
attack upon the Governor, There Is to be a
fight, too, it Is said, on the proposal to do away
with the Gas Commission. The original sin in the
force quarrel with the Governor over the fate
OF the excellent but not especially conspicuous
members Of that board. The Democratic hopes
are only slightly dlmmed by the failure of this
gigantic row to begin at once. chairman Wood
''ruff's solemn declaration that Governor Hughes
will be supported in ali his recommendations
"by the Republican organization" says The
World" will be accepted without question by all
persons under seven years of age" True, true
friend. and this is n case where little child
shall lead us. After a while It will be accepted
by persons over seven years old Give them
time. Don't be impatient 1t is too much TO ex-
pect the abandonment of the cherished faith of
q lifetime all at once. We remember how some
wise persons said that the Republican party
could be trusted IN Its iniquity and folly to re-
fuse to nominate Mr.. Hughes and again after
this aow they said the Republicans, having
nominated him. would not support him. Per-
sons over seven years old now believe that that
notorious party actually nominated him and did
its best to elect him. OF course. it is too much
for persons who have cut their eye teeth to be-
lieve-yet-that the party will let him be real
Governor.
We are told by the wise correspondent of "The
Evening Post" who has keen apprehension of
original sin, that the Governor will have his
way about the commission legislation but ballot
reform-neverl The poor old Republican party
mas become good enough not TO care for places
above everything else, but 1t clings to the
wickedest ballot on earth You do not have to
go far for a proof Of It. Here is 'gThe New
York Times" 1--WE are sure 1t will pardon US for
speaking so frankly, which habitualy reveals
the fnmost thoughts of the Republican machine
and 1t says: "NettLer the Governors argument
nor any argument yet made meets the objec
"tion TO depriving the straight voter Of the
privilege Of casting his ballot by single mark
under party emblem" Ephraim is welded TO
his idols, and the Republican party In its orig
inal sin, will listen to no argument and cling to
the single mark ballot of wickedness.
Well, it is painful to see orthodoxy IN the
throes, and we avert our faces. We hope how
ever, that the more Independent Democratic
press will not be behind the sinful party In
its support of Governor Hughes in his reform
measures. The belief in original sin is cheer
full and comfortable doctrine In these broad
minded days no one GiIl be disposed to quarrel
with the holders Of It.