Middletown transcript., 1896-02-29
Tb.. Dover Toden. the organ of Kent


honor to the State, and unlike some
other family names. all the good quail
tiles Of the family are not under the
sod. And whereforeP Merely because
the gentleman has been called 10y his
party, and without his seeking, to be-
come its representative. OF course the
mud does not stick but it is disagree
able, and wholly unwarantable in every
respect. But the TRANSCRIPT allows
its readers to Judge for themselves OF
of the business cf it's criticisms and we
quote for that purpose fro m the IndeT:
"wHAT, WHERE, AND WHO is he?
Some amusing accounts concerning
the identity of Henry A. DUPONT, Re.
publican. claimant of seat in the
United States Senate, have been going
the round Of the newspapers OF late. t
seems that.not only Delaw areans visit
ing our federal capital, but the men,
bers of the Senate itself, nay even the
sergeant-at-arms Of that body, are
woefully ignorant of the personal ap-
pearance Of this would-be represen ta-
tive Of Delaware.
A moments reflection will serve to
dismiss any surprise that such news
might have at first aroused in the
minds of our citizens. Outside of a
chosen few in the city OF Wilmington,
who is there in Delaware who has per-
sonal knowledge either as to the ap-
pearance or mental capacity of Mr.. Du
Pont? Before tle last few days of the
General Assembly of '95, it is iDdispu-
table that even so much as his name or
existence was hidden from the great
majority of the people whom he now
desires to represent. Since the day on
which his name at the dictate of An
thony Higgins, was used in the ballot
ing for Senator, that name, it is true,
has become notorious, but beyond the
fact of the existence of such a person
age, DelaWareans are to-day in the
same ignorance. The kitchen cabinet
surrounding and controlling this mys-
terious individual have indeed given
out that he is man of wealth, of rosi-
tion. and of mental ability. As to the
first two items of these bulletins, we
are content to take the word of Hig-
gins ct al, but as to the last we desire
some proof from the gentleman him
self. Who can give US any informa-
tion as to the views entertained by Mr..
Dupont on the issues and public ques-
tions of the day? Certainly we have
never head of his taking part hereto
fore in any matter of public concern.
In vain we have racked our powers of
memory TO bring to our recollection
any act of this gentleman connected
with public matters or public ques-
tions. Who is there who can say
where Mr.. DUPONT stands on the tariff
issue ? We have indeed heard it said
that he is a gold advocate, but why
one, or when one, or how far one, we
are not informed.
1t must be admitted that at least a
wing of the Republican party has placed
it in the position of putting forward as
one of the highest representatives of
our people, man Of whom that people
are ignorant, and one who has in no
manner ever displayed either capacity
or interest for such an office? How can
the people feel sympathy for man
who has never shown sympathy for
them? How can tney feel close to a
man who has never been close to
them?'
The editors of the Indec are James
L. Wolcott, Esqr., and Ezekiel T..
Cooper, Esqr., the one an ex- Chancel-
lor and the other the Register of Wills
for Kent county. Is it not surprising
that they indulge in. such spot house
politics" as the above?
That Col. DUPONT does not hob mob
with the sergeant-at-arms and the door
keepers at the capitol is not surprising,
or indeed that they do not know him
even by sight, for he is not a lobbyist
like Mr.. Wolcott and Mr.. Cooper. And
no disrespect is meant them in this
statement. 1t is merely the truth, and
a part Of their business is to know "the
boys" don't cher know. If these gen.
tlemen will read the history of the
civil war they will find that Col. du
Pont has record of which any brave
man may be proud, and he never found
it necessary to try to blemish the good
name of another, politically or in any
other way, TO benefit himself: But
Col. DUPONT needs no defender. Be-
cause he is not on the same plane of
the editors of the IntleG the people will
take as a recommendation, and when
the time comes for him to speak and
act it will be with credit to tie whole
people of Delaware.
The Inder article is full of false in
situations. No man dictated to the
Republican members of the General
Assembly that elected Col. dupont.
Senator Higgins had no desire to do so.
The members who voted for him did
1t because of his true Republicanism
of his excellent record in the Senate,
of the character of the man. There
was no dictation, no bossism, and Col.
dupont by accepting the responsibility
his party has placed upon him with
out his knowledge or consent, a case
of the office seeking the IAN, has
shown his sense of duty to his State
and his party. Such ungentlemanly
attacks upon him are disgrace to To-
cal journalism, to the Offices held by
the men who make the attacks.
But there is purpose in it. The
object Of the whole article is to preju-
dice the ''silver senator's" against the
claims of Col. DUPONT. Whether the
INDIA does it as a Democratic organ or
as an agent for Mr.. Addicks the object
is the same. Last winter the TRAN
SCRIPT told of Mr.. Addicks' interest
in the Ider. The IndeG answered but
did not deny the accusation. 1t will
deny it now but it will not publish
N Il