The herald., 1896-08-16
Eroxn Down Personal Abuse

Al Editor Herald: In last Sundays issue
81 the Herald appeared an editorial un-
Ter the caption, Passion workers
Avaunt,v the utterances of when ought
NJ appeal to the patriotism OF every
ttizen, honest in his efforts to sift TO
N1e bottom the financial and other ques-
Wons brought up in the pres
int campaign in the hope. of getting
n ( the true status of affairs. BY way'of
Rltroduction allow me to quote from it:
n "One of the most unfortunate features
~ the present campaign is the disposi-
Ion SO frequently displayed to appeal
y class or sectional prejudice. Demo-
rats, Republicans, and Populists, are,
Hike, loyal citizens of orr great repub-
Sc, no matter in what part of it acci-
lent or choice may have located them.
my attempt on the part of political
irators or newspapers to array section
lgainst section, or class against class, is
deserving of the severest condemna
Fon."
1t was promised that this was to be
clean campaign-a campaign of edu-
Nation-and that the weapons of person
Il detraction were not to be brought
fto service. but alas, how sadly have we
Teen deceived. Already the pledge has
seen broken and Republican papers in
pmost every locality, assisted by GER
Ain Democratic papers, are besmear-
kg Mr.. Bryan with mud in most dis
BUSTING manner. Ought not this sort
70 treatment to be stopped. Not that Mr..
Hryan will be materially injured by the
assaults, but suppose the
Woters of the country should decree that
Cir. Bryan Is to be the next president
IL the United States? What then?
Would it not be better for his opponents
b concede that, however much they diff
FER with him in political matters and
aublic policy, that he Is also trying to
10 that which he believes to be right
Ind for the best interest of the country?
3 We are told that the present cam
kaign Is almost a parallel with that Of
$50. One of the chief arguments against
1r. Lincoln made by his opponents was
Nhat he was not fit, either by character
ar training. to be entrusted with the
Eeins of government at SO critical time
IN the nations history. He was car
tooned as an ignorant ape.a wild man out
gf the west, for Illinois was as far west
Chen as Nebraska is now. He was lam
t,ooned as dangerous fanatic, a weak
man who would be controlled by fanGt-
Rcs. A large part of the country was
knflamed against him and sincerely be-
Sieved that his election meant all sorts
Hf horrors.
n 1t is stated by those who remember
ludL
&hat among the causes which led to the
outbreak of hostilities was the personal
prejudice excited against Mr.. Lincoln
by the subsidized press. If there had
fiot been this campaign of ViliIication
Snd abuse-and history demonstrated
Bow false it was-the disastrous results
Chat followed might easily have been
ttverted. The abuse of Mr.. Lincoln was
Mot only false but was most unpatriotic.
In the present campaign Mr.. Bryan
rs being attacked by the opposition
Dress in the same way that Mr.. Lincoln
kvas attacked. He is assailed as an in
competent, a weak man. a dangerous
fanatic; as a man without character. a
Sectional man, narrow minded and con-
sracted views: in short, every mean
hing conceivable is being said about
i'm by the Republican press to belittle
him in the eye of the great people.
I Would 1t not be well to stop mo-
ncnt and consider? This is a time
Fhen every voter ought to study the
tolitical questions that confront him
shs campaign. We must keep down un-
kecessary prejudice. 1t will not do to
sllow prejudice to stand in the way of
Ruty. 1t Is every voters duty as an
american citizen to know what side of
Ahe all-important question he is on, and
Ehy he is there. There should be no
Nuess work about it. II the republic Is
10 be preserved it must be by earnest
Ntudy and honest exchange Of views
Without any pettifoggery to engender
tectional prejudice and strife. Study the
financial question and do not be salts
bed until you know where you are at"
Study! Study! Study!
H NJ. w.
4 Los Angeles, August 10, 1896.