The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-19
BEFORE THE BATTLE.

1t is already evident that this is 10 be
an aggressive campaign on both sides. 1t
will be fought with an intense earnestness,
and will engender in some quarters no
little bitterness. Out of this excess OF feel
ing there is sure 10 come good deal OF
reckless assertion and invective. Grim
ination and recrimination will be COM
mon. Exactly in proportion as stump
orators and unlearned editors find them
selves incapable of arguing the alb
stract problems of money and the tariff
and their relations TO one another will
they indulge in personality and abuse. 1t
will be well. therefore, for Intelligent
people to put themselves on guard at the
start, so as not to be misled In the ex-
element that is to follow.
An evidence of the extent to which poll
tical SANDER will probably be resorted to
during the campaign is already apparent
in the reports that the gold men are offer
ing brides to members of the Populist con-
vention to refuse to indorse Bryan, while
silver miliionaires are offering brides 10
support him. There is not the slightest
reason for trusting either OF these stories.
That some delegates at st. Louis will be
susceptible to the influence of courteously
suggested rewards may be conceded. Such
men are to be found in every political
party. The PopHlist convention, however,
will not be controlled by bribery. 1t will
act as honestly as did the Republican
convention at st. Louis or the Democratic
convention at Chicago. Whether it acts
wisely or unwisely it will sincerely try C
carry out the will Of that portion of the
A ,0anrl1 IL haa RI
The last two Presidential campaigns
were comparatively free from personali-
ties. 1t is perhaps too much to expect this
TO be so clean in that respect. 1t has
divided the people on new issues and led
TO the breaking of old party ties. Under
such circumstances it is easy for the &C
tions of men 10 be misconstrued whether
they stay with their former party or leave
il. Senator Teller may seem to some men
as the hireling of the silver miners and
Secretary Carlisle may appear to Others as
the hireling of Wall street. Denunciation:
of that kind will soon be uttered from 6
thousand voices, to swell on every gale
and the land will be so filed with them
that the travelling foreigner among US will
come 10 the conclusion that our statesmen
are the most corrupt bribe-t taking rascal:
on earth.
1t should be the duty OF every sincere
man TO counteract this rising chorus O.
idle SANDER as far as possible. The poll
tics of this country is in the main whole
some and sound. Corruption exists here
and there, but it is local in its nature and
has no appreciable effect upon the Nation
as whole. We are in the main an honest
! people, perhaps the most honest on earth
and our representatives are not inferior tC
| those whom they represent. Letus try &c
/ keep the atmosphere clean OF all fou
| charges and countercharges of bribery and
corruption. Let Us bear IN mind thai
where two such great issues as the protec-
/ ton of American industry and the re
sumption of free silver coinage withou
waiting for international agreement are a
/ stake in one contest, there is ample room
| for ;he widest differences of opinion among
the most honest OF men: and let US, Re
Iublicans, Democrats, Populists and Pro
! hibitionists, reason with one another as bes
we may and carry the campaign on will
"malice toward none, but with charity TO
ALL