New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-05
To the Republicans Of New York
City:

Half a century ago the Democratic party
Of this city surrendered itself to sedition
and disloyalty. In the greedy pursuit OF
Office and patronage it trafficked with those
who sought to disrupt the Union and de-
stroy the country. Seeking Southern votes
in Northern city, it sacrificed patriotism
unhesitatingly.
After half a century the Democratic
party of New York City has returned to
its ancient practice. At moment when
the United States is engaged in great
war, when the safety Of American insti-
tutions and the future Of America in the
world are at stake, precisely the same
party and the same organization which
sought Confederate votes in the eos is
seeking German votes in a new century.
The same consideration is in the minds of
those who are making the campaign on the
Democratic side. They care nothing for
national honor or national safety provided
they can lay hands on the administration
and the city treasury.
In the days of the Civil War the Repub-
lican party stood for principle and fought
for principle. Founded in moment of
great national crisis, it became the party
which saved the Union. Loyalty in state
and nation the Republican party stood by
the flag from 1861 to 1865.
To-day in this city the situation is
changed. One faction Of the Republican
party, seeking to crafty personal spite
or to serve insignificant partisan interests,
has made itself the accessory Of disloyalty.
It has undertaken to make doubly sure the
victory of those who are themselves pan
dering to the German vote. 1t has sought
TO divide the American electorate that the
alien vote may triumph.
These Republicans have not merely be-
trayed their CITY,, They have not merely
given their aid and their assistance to re-
storing in this town a corrupt and criminal
organization. They have not merely be-
come the agents Of Tammany Hall. Bad
as this is, they have further consented to
aid in the defeat Of candidate whose de-
feat will be accepted at home and abroad
as a reputation of American policy and
participation in this war.
II the German campaign in New York
City succeeds, it will succeed because Re-
publicans have cast their votes as parti-
sans rather than as patriots and have
thus placed their party above their coun-
try. There will be no blinking Of response
bility for the defeat Of Mr.. Mitchell. Such
defeat is only possible If Republicans In
this town fail to do their duty tomorrow
II they fail, they will share with the
Democratic party public contempt and in
ternational infamy.
There never was a time in the history
Of this town since the Civil War when
municipal election had such wide meaning
as at the present moment. A defeat for
Mayor Mitchell will be heralded in Berlin
as an evidence that America has lost heart.
II will be accepted as an Endorsement Of
Mr.. Hearst-already crowned in Berlin as
the newspaper king Of America and the
N foremost among German sympathizers. A
defeat for Mr.. Mitchell will be a discour-
sgement for American soldiers abroad and
an evidence Of one more German victory
behind the lines
Mr. Mitchell will be elected or defeated
as the Republicans Of New York support
him or fail 10 support him. II they fail TO
support him they may justly be classed
with the Tammany Democrats who are
serving the German cause for selfish and
sordid reasons. Those who believe that
the United States is right in this war, those
who believe that our soldiers abroad should
be supported at home. those who believe