The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-21
The Sober Second Thought.

Pennsylvania has long been a hot
bed of personal and factioral political
strife and the weapons of one cam
paiSn do not differ much from those
of any other. Nothing which Messrs.
Wanamaker and Swallow have said on
the stump this year i'm their joint at
tack upon Quay and the Republican
party organization has been unsaid in
previous revolts. Charges of theft,
embeZzlement. arson and highway rob-
berry punCtuate the RACES of political
controversy from the earliest day In
genious distortions and eXaggerations
of fact surrounded by cunning mazes
OF fiction; artifice and strategy in the
employment of the endless resources
of the law in the attempt to lend plaus-
ibility TO camraiGl charges; and I'm
ally adroit manipulation of the springs
of public opinion by deception of the
clergy and subsidainr of the press
all these things have been repeated
times without number, and the only
feature new to the present contest is
the willingness with which many eX-
perlerCcd voters for time are carried
away by them.
In refreshing contrast with the des-
ncrate tactics of the opposition. with
It's heterogeneous elements temporarily
fused by the potent incentives of po-
litical hunger and revenge, is the pos
ture of Colonel stone and his associates
On the Republican state ticket. They
have gone quietly about their business,
General Goblin serving his country pa
tiently as the commander of brigade
of soldiers awaiting orders to move to
the front; Colonel Stone meeting the
people of the state frankly, face TO
face, presenting his ideas upon the
questions at issue and abusing no man.
They have met every argument and
answered every legitimate criticism
but they have entered into no cOmpeti-
tion of vilitication OF calumniation, and
We believe that the voters of this intel
llgont state, when cooled down to Sani-
~ of thought and judgment, will ad-
mire them the more for It. The per-
sonal equation in politics can be over
done. MI WGnamaker has overdone
it in his malignant bounding of Quay.
DR.. Swallow has overdone il i'm his too
proiuse distribution of accusation
without proof. Mr.. jerks is rapidly
OVERRIDING it in his denagogical on
slaught upon reputable Republicans
Colonel stone alone of the principals
IN the current canvass has kept his
temper ana his head.
The dread of campaign managers
vino build W false sentiment by means
that will not stand examination is lest
they become entaugled in a reaction.
The sensible voter, however swerved at
times by prejudice or excitement, gem
crafty in the concluding days OF an
view of his surroundings and INDUCES
the sober, second thought" 1t is this
habit which is operating at present to
the advantage of the admirable Re
publican state ticket. The reaction
has begun and II will grow in proper
tions steadily until election day. Re-
publicans are percelving the necessity
OF party unity and the relegation of
factoual or personal differences to a
more propitious season. Above and
beyond all small state issues or clashes
of ambition rises the neceNity of up
holding Republcanism for the coun-
trys sake, and clear perception of this
fact will increase as the day of duty
draws near.