Middletown transcript., 1894-12-01
THE ADDICKS DISGRACE.

We have never believed that the attemp-
ted and threatened disgrace of inficting
Mr.. Gas Speculator Addicks upon Delaware
and the United States Senate could be con-
sumated. His own illimitable cheek would,
indeed. be equal to any audacity. There is
no heigh. which he is not impudent enough
to try to scale if effrontery and bribery will
do it. But there are depths of degradation
to which he cannot drag down common
wealth and nation, and such an impossi
BILE humiliation would be the election and
toleration of sucha person in the Senate.
We have never supposed that any con-
siderable number of legislators would cast
a vote which would burn the brand of Ad.
dicks, like the scarlet letter, upon their
forehead forever. We have not doubted
that, if there came to be serious danger of
such a catastrophe, the flame of public
wrath would make it so hot that he and
they could not stand before it. And finally
we have had unquestioning faith that, if
the peril became still more imminent, the
true and self-respecting Republicans of
Delaware, accepting any misfortune rather
than such dishonor, would keep in their
hands the power of defeating it. Thus be-
leving we have not been disposed to take
Addicks too seriously. He cannot be elect
ed. There are Republicans enough who
will not permit such infamy. And if he
could be elected he couldn't stay in the
Senate. His pathway would so reck with
rottenesss that he would be marked and
doomed from the first.
For this is the most brazen attempt
which has ever been witnessed to make
the Senatorship a mere matter of cash.
There has been other cases where money
has doubtless played large part in the
choice. But there was at least preterce
of other reasons. There was some claim of
fitness, some consideration of political or
public service, some assertion of acquain-
tance with public affairs. But this is the
most fragrant and bare-faced avowal ever
known of a purpose to sink the Senatorship
absolutely to cash basis. There is no dis
guise about it. The proposal of purchase
is open, notorious and ostentatious. 1t is
unblushingly declared that the Senator
ship is to be bought for Addicks if money
will buy it. 1t isn't pretended that he has
any other claim, and the allegation of any
other reason would be such travesty that
there isn't any affection of it. The presen-
tation of such man for the Senate is
burlesque on representative government. 1t
has the grotesque character of opera bouffe,
and if it were not for the degradation it
involves it would be ludicrous in its absur-
dity of elevating an adventurer into a
Senator.
This Addicks movement has excited
general contempt and ridicule. 1t seems
90 prsposterous TO be treated with any
thing more than derision. But if it shall
assume the proportions Of serious danger
it will excite q storm of indignant denun-
citation which it will be difficult even for
forehead of bronze to face. Such blister
ing shame is not to be tolerated. The cleo |
ton of such ridiculous candidate accomp-
lished in such disgraceful way would in
flict immea surable injury upon the Repub.
lican party and would burden Delaware
with lasting load of obloquy. If there
are Republicans in that State who are trifl- |
ing and toying with this performance, it is
time they realized what it means for them |
and for the cause, 1