The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-03
WITH CLEAN HANDS.

Y.8 WITH CLEAN HANDS.
The campaign in Montana is drawing
to close, and tomorrow is big with the
fate of the state for the next two years.
To the inspiring appeal Of it's standard
bearer, the Hon. w. w. Dixon, the dem
ocratic press throughout the state has
CALAMITY responded. From the outset
he declared for q clean campaign, q cam
paign which should, 80 far as he and his
supporters were concerned, be utterly
barren Of personalities and content itself
with discussing the momentous issues
before the people. OF how nobly he has
redeemed his promises and exceeded the
height of his aspirations, his recent
speech to the people of Helena afforded
ample and convincing proof. That sim
gle speech and the earnest, respectful
attention with which it was received seal
the doom Of more than one prominent
figure in Montana political campaigns
The days Of the fire-eating orator are
gone. He has disappeared before the
calm and clear logician. No man can
delude himself hereafter into belief
that he can best capture the attention
Of Montana audience by wild self
assertion and fierce abuse Of opponents.
Every listener in Mr.. Dixon's Helena
audience was struck by the entire alb
sence Of egotism and the freedom from
reorimination that it breathed. Every
listener felt that when the democratic
candidate entered the national house Of
representatives he might be we'll and
honestly described as the gentleman
from Montana. And. as We have said, the
democratic press, at the first tap Of the
drum, swung into line behind its leader
and has kept step with him ever since.
Defeat, which seems impossible, can
bring no stain; victory, no regrets.
That the republican party and its
newspaper organs have not seen fit to
emulate this line of conduct is matter
for compassion rather than regret. The
local opposition newspaper, in the course
of ragged and laboring campaign, has
endeavored to atone for absence
of journalistic ability and strategic
skill by wild accusations of falsehood.
roguery and violation Of the entire dec
alogue. It has even stopped to personal
attacks, as impotent as its apologies for
arguments. These it has seemed best
to pass over with the silence Of con.
tempt. It has been felt that the man
who was being belittled and openly re-
preached by the bosses of his own party
was not in q fit condition to meet tn,
assaults OF his opponents, and mere,
has been allowed to temper justice. I
has seemed even probable that his mud
throwing was not entirely of his ow,
volition, and that his exhibitions i,
that line were proof rather OF his desir
to attempt to sink to the standard q
political argument held by his employer
than OF his own especial share Of orig
inAl sin.
The prominent issues of this cam
psign arc essentially issues for the wage
earners Of Montana. These are tn
men who sway the balance of power i
this state, and their verdict ought t.
and will in spite OF republican jobber,
be all powerful That verdict ought nc
to b given lightly. A vote for Carte
means the endorsement OF legalize
robbery Of the workingman by the Nj
Kinlsy tariff steal; it means the or
dofsement Of tho weak kneed actio
md juggling tricks in the house Of rsp
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