The sun., 1898-10-10

tablsh an Official reputation as Po-
litical Forecaster. All forecasts must be
dated and sent in by mali so that the post
office stamp will verify the date OF the
forecast. Give your correct name and ad-
dress as there will be bit of money
coming to the forecaster who comes
nearest the official returns. All forecasts
must include all of the state offices, and
all in at least one county.
Rule %. All candidates of the Union
Republican party for any office which is
to be filled by the General Assembly,
shall be selected by cancus of all the
members OF the General Assembly who
have been elected by the Union Repub-
lican party, and each of such members
shall attend such caucus and shall sup
port the caucus nominees by his vote in
the General Assembly.-Union Republi-
can party rules.
'CUSTOM MAKES LAw.'
This rule of the Union Republican
party is custom made law. 1t is law of
political procedure sanctioned by uni
versal acquiescence and continued usage,
and is formulated here into a party rule
that has the sanction of the Delaware
state statutes. 1t is, and has been bind
ing upon all candidates seeking the votes
of Union Republicans, at either the pri-
mary elections, or at the state election,
during this clmpaign. 1t was known
part of the Union Republican party rules
when the agreement for joint primary
elections was made, was operative then,
and was, and is not now contrary to any
rule of the so-caIel Regular Republi-
can party The obligation which it i'm
poses upon legislative candidates, elected
by Union Republican votes, was not
then objected to, and not having been
objected to at the time of the agreement
Tor joint primaries, can reasonably be
supposed to have been accepted and is
now operative upon all the legislative
candidates nominated by the Republi-
cans in New Castle county.
Ignorance OF the law is no excuse for
its violation. Wilful neglect of it, in
agreements binding in law, is not only
no excuse for violating it, but is an mex
cusab!e fault. The On y reasonable in
ference to be drawn from this fair state
ment OF the law and the facts, is that the
Republican legislative candidates are
each and all bound by the rules Of the
Union Republican party. and that their
reasonable duty is to give the pledges re-
quired by the Union Republican com
mitteemen. Otherwise they are not en-
titled to thesupport of the Union Repub-
lican voters on election day.
The rule here quoted is good Republic
can law. 1t is good Democratic law. 1t
is Gonsonant with the idea Of popular
government, and afford. the on Y prac-
tical method OF reaching harmonious
settlement Of disputed political ques-
tiOns.
The truth Of this statement is self-evi-
dent. Its application to current politics
is, however, disputed and opposed. Why
this opposition? The answer to this ques-
tion involves every issue OF the present
political campaign in this state. The
answer to the question asked, is.
First, the abrOgatiOn of this rule offers
TO the boiling Republican factionists
their only hope for continuance Of their
distinctive control of the Republican
cause in this state.
Second, the abrogation of this rule al
OF defeating the Republican party by pro-
noting discomfort, discurd and tactional-
ism, within its ranks.
This opposition is apparently twofold.
1t is similar and singular. 1t is the op-
position OF former cO-cOnsplrators, and
Df present co-workers against Republican
control of this state. Recent political
history proves this beyond the possibility
of a reasonable doubt.
During the past week the Supreme
Court OF Delaware has declared that the
Democratic control OF the late Constitu-
tional Convention, and OF the late Gen.
eral Assembly was contrary to law, and
has ordered a recount of the votes cast in
Kent county almost two years ago. This
decision of the count recalls to present
interest story of political outrage, com.
mitted under the forms of law, which
Tor wanton disregard for the personal
rights OF citizens, and of public interests
is unsurpassed in the history of American
politics.
This story includes as actors in all its
phases Of outrageous development, al
the present opponents to the pledging Of
Union Republican legislative candidates
w dttelu anu di)iuc ny tHc utClsloIlS VI q
Republican legislative caucus. The in
ference that the desires and purposes o
these co-opponents, are similar and sin
gular is inevitable They become co
Conspirators and co-wOrkers to defeat the
election Of a Republican United States
Senator, whom they knew to be the
choice Of a majority OF the voters Of the
state in 1896. They are co-workes il
1898. They preach from the same text
"Addicks"' They rally to the same cry
--"Drieat Addicksn They discuss NJ
question OF public interest; proffer NJ
scheme for state bettcrment; have no de
nunciaion for past outrage; offer no re
endorsement for past injuries, nor dt
they promise any protection in the fu
ture. Speak to them of the theft of tht
Constitutional Convention; of the thief
of the General Assembly; of the riotou
outrages by which these thefts wer'
committed; of the disfranchisement 0