New-York tribune., 1918-07-07
A Brave Fighter

A gallant flgure was Mayor Mitchell in
life and gallant figure is Major Mitchell
in death. 1t is tragedy for the whole
country that so much vigor and honor
and devotion should thus end in mid
career. Yet it was the end of his choos-
ing and it's glory had been richly earned.
Sorrow and regret must be chiefly for
his family his friends, his city and his
country, left so much the poorer by
his loss.
The bravery that makes man search
out difficulty, advance to meet danger,
was native in John Purroy Mitchell. He
was constitutionally unable to compro-
mise. He saw his course clear and
straight and followed it with utter dis
regard of consequences or the possibility
OF evasion. For the small placating of
public opinion in groups or classes he
had no gift or patience. He viewed the
Mayoralty as a vastly responsible bust
ness job, and he filled it with an efficiency
that could consent to no waste of time
or money in the search for the dramatic
or the effective.
Thus, the best Mayor the city has ever
possessed, he met final defeat by an over
whelming majority. The single-minded
courage that made him appoint the best
available experts regardless of their
politics and give battle to the organiza-
tions that blocked his programme of re-
form, whatever their sway and power,
was precisely the quality that rolled up
enemies against him. His political de-
feat was proof again, if proof were
needed, that democracy cannot vet live
by efficiency alone, but must have it's
tribute of political trick and gesture
The war, his country's share in it, was
always first in Mr.. Mitchel's mind. He
was a pioneer in Plattsburg work and
would gladly have escaped office and cam
paign to serve forthwith. The citizens
Of New York will always be thankful.
however, that his term of office covered
that extraordinary period of interna-
tlonal visits of which the French commits
sion was the high mark. Mr.. Mitchell
lacked something in warmth in his po-
litlcal speeches, clear-cut and hard-hit-
o-'S N~o why NSlS' III HIS SpecCncS OF
greeting to our distinguished guests he
achieved new note of depth and emo
ton that made his addresses models OF
felicity and distinction. They came as
the eliminating service of a public ca
reer of rare ability and USE
1t was typical Of his whole life that
when free to enter the war he chose
post of especial risk and danger. At his
age-he died few days before his thir
ty-ninth birthday-and with his execu-
tive experience there was ample reason
for him to seek another branch of ser
vice. But flying had always been his am
bition, and such was his unusual phvsioue
that he was able to qualify for the most
daring of air work. He had made un-
usual progress and gave promise of being
one of our best scout fiers.
The pity of his death while still in
training and far from the skies of France.
which were his goal comes first to mind.
But we are learning to know how little
such distinctions matter The gift is all
that really counts. The particular fash
ION in which ones country uses that gift
is beyond our control and should be be-
yond our interest. Major Mitchell died
gloriously serving the country that he SO
well loved. The honors of brave soldier
are his, and with them belong the graft
tude and admiration of a great city.