Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-11-24
GIVING ADDICxS A CHARACTER.

"Union Republican Glasses' In sunday Star.
!. Comparisons are odious. That is a
truism of common acceptance and one
which ought TO be considered. and
avoided when odium results from COM
yparisons. The eulogists Of Senator Gray
have not so decided. They have adopted
'therather doubtful expedlent of making
him appear great by comparison. They
have made some odous reference in
this matter to Mr.. j. Edward Addicks,
Senator Gray's competitor in the cam
paign that has Just ended, and his
probable successor That was un-
necessary. For despite sthe evident
flavor of President Mckinley and his
followers in Delaware, Senator Gray is
n back number in Delaware State
politics. His election to succeed him
self is impossible. II is also true that
to candid and fair Judgment Senator
| Gray suffers by Comparisons compare
sons of pretence with facts. Here are
some instances:
Mr.. Addicks' Judgment in public
matters, as we'll as his political senti-
ment, has always put him upon the
right side Of the great questions dis
cussed and decided during his life--be
lshas always been Republican.
| Senator Gray's Judgment and his
| political sentiment, has invariably put
| him upon the wrong side of the great
questions discussed and decided during
his life. He has always been Demo-
crat.
/ appeal to the history of this
country and to tho political history Of
Delaware, for the proofs Of this
assertion, In being with the Repub-
lican party, Mr.. Addicks has been
right, and in being with the Demo
cratic party Mr.. Gray has been wrong.
| That is history--the verdict of ex-
perience formulated into permanent
record. In every vital issue between
Republicanism and Democracy the
contention OF the Republicans has been
| sustained by the world after thought.
| The Democratic contentious, of which
| Mr.. Gray is famous exponent, have
been condemned and repudiated. In
/ one case the man has been in the up.
lifting current, quickened by its senti.
ments of liberty, humanity and
| progress, and broadened by GRASP
| Of the truth of its principles. In the
other case the man has been resisting
the inevitable been afraid thai
somehow or other the hand of the
| infinite had weakened In its grasl
and that it was not able, without the
drag back of the Democratic party
and the help Of Senator Gray, to con
troll the speed and direction of human
progress.
Under these circumstances, which
1 man would be most likely to develop
the qualities fitting them for American
political leadership?
! Again Senator Gray has been il
public life during the whole period o
Delawsre's political decadence. HI
has been part of the ruling politica
party, has been one of its honored
trusted, compensated leaders. He knew
or ought to have known all the fact
of his party's, and States politica
degeneracy. If he did not know he i
culpable for waste of opportunity o
political carelessness. II he did know
the present claims Of his eulogists in
dictate that he ought to have brough
the force of his splendid power, an,
the influence Of his national repu
tation, to the rescue of his State fron
degradation and disgrace. Does an
one know of an instance where h
protested against, or attempted to sta
the tide Of political degeneracy?
The degeneracy of Delaware polite
cannot be denied. Senator Gray
political party is responsible for il
and as part of, and participant |
Democratic party councils, he share
that responsibility. He defended, slis
tanned and profited by the continue
power Of that party, and although j
public service, and credited with grea
virtue and ability, he did nothing t
correct Great and appareflt uolitict
evils. j, Edward Addicks attacKe
and defeated the Democratic party i
the interest Of good government an
fair play among citizens.
4 Which of the two has manifested tn
highest civic virtue? Which has serve
the State best?