The sun., 1898-10-09


come parties to caucus which would
most assuredly have nominated Hon.
Anthony Higgins for second term in
the United States Senate. They not only
would not 20 into caucus, but declared
that they were for Addicks or nobody,
and persisted in voting for him, even
after the friends OF Mr.. Higgins signified
their willingness to take up other men,
lust as good and not SO Objectionable to
Mr.. Addicks. With the Addickstes it
was rule or ruin. For months they pur-
sued their chosen tactics, and they were
voting for Addicks when, the time limit
of the legislative session having expired,
Speaker of the Senate William I. Watson
declared that there had been no election
and that the Legislature had adjourned
sine die.
What followed is matter of recent
history. Colonel Henry A. du Pont came
to the front as senatorial claimant,
backed by strong array of legal talent,
the entire Republican machinery and
with unlimited wealth at his command.
The Democrats, who contended that
there had been no election, contested
this claim and were supported by Ad-
dicks and his machine, one of the ablest
aids of the Democrats and the gas man
being this same Rev. Jonathan S. Willis,
then member OF Congress and now
prating so loudly of the Observation-Disclosures
of harmony. To make long story short,
Colonel du Pont was not seated and a
vacancy existed for two years. Then the
Democrats controlling the General AS
sembly, Hon. Richard r. kenney was
elected to serve out the unexpired term
in lieu of Senator Higgins, who would
have been named by caucus and elected
by the General Assembly for the full
term OF six years had the Addickstes
been governed by the party rule which
they now tlaunt so brazenly in the faces
OF the Regular Republicans.
When Addicks was confident of VIC
tory two years ago the Regular Republic
cans assisted the Democrats in the or
ganization OF the Constitutional Conven-
ton and the General Assembly. They
refused to give comfort or consolation
to Addicks men who claimed to have
been elected delegates to the Constitu-
tional Convention, or to recognize, in
any manner, the Jump Legislature which
Addicks set up in the reading room of a
Dover hotel. They derided the preten-
sions OF that body; laughed at its re-
peated and farcical efforts to obtain
recognition; upheld the governor in his
refusal to give to J. Edward Addicks a
certificate of election,to the United States
Senate, and in other ways, divers and
aggravating added to the discontinue
and humiliation of the gas man. The
result was that the bitterness Of feeling
between the two parties, or factions, was
intensified.
Then new factor came to the front,
With "Blessed Are the Peacemersn en,-
blazoned on their banner, the conserva-
tive elements of both factions marched
out early in the present year and pro-
claimed that they proposed to harmon
ize the discordant factions and fashion
them into united organization which
would sweep the state from Brandywine
to Baltimore. They labored faithfully
and well, and the movement received
such impetus that the old leaders were
dragged, in by the undertow, whether
they were willing or unwilling. There
they stood, the same old crowds, glaring
at each other with hate, but kept apart
by this little band Of harmony-hunters,
place-seekers aud would-be leaders OF
the rejuvenated Republican party OF
Delaware. They told the warriors beau.
titul and pathetic stories of the blessings
of peace and harmony, and everybody
was profoundly affected. As an evidence
of the beneticent effect OF the pleadings
it was agreed that joint primaries shoulC
be held in New Castle county, each side
agreeing to abide by the result and tt
heartily support the ticket nominated
Then the warriors slept on their arms
with one eye open, until the day OF con
flict arrived. The fight was fought, anC
at its conclusion survey of the tielt
showed that only one Addicksite, .
Brandywine hundred man, was left Il
tel the tale, and he was struck duml
with CONSERVATION, and could not talk
Finding that they had made bat
bargain and that they had been merci
lessly drubbed, and being increased b,
the attitude of the Regular Republican
in Kent and Sussex counties, the Ad
dicks leaders rued the deal and begal
seeking a graceful manner in which tt
break their pledge and obtain revenge
Various schemes were suggested and dis
carded. At length some shrewd Addick
mind, in search of conditions who'll,
Objectionable and unacceptable to tn,
Regular Republicans, hit upon the ide'
of making demand that the Regula
Republican legislative candidates pledg
themselves not only to go to into caucus
but also to support the caucus nominee
for United States Senator, pointing viii
pride to No. % of the Addicks part,
rules. 1t was bright idea and accepted
forthwith.
What is the result? Every Regular Re
publican candidate for legislative honor
Is confronted by j. Edward Addicks
who holds caucus pledge in one han,
and knife in the other. The ulti
matum is: Sign the pledge, or take tn
} knife"
The public is watching Samuel M
Knox and his colleagues and wondering
how they will conduct themselves nov
that this dreadful alternative confront
them. Addicks knows his men in Ken
and Sussex. He proposes to know then
in New Castle. .-Evening Journal.
The political condition has about set
tied down in Delaware for the election
month hence-a very little job that ha
apparently been of considerable magni
! tude, as looked at by some parties. Th