Middletown transcript., 1899-11-04
WORDS OF TRUTH AND
SORERNESS

FestuS said with loud voice, fauli tnou
art beside ihyself; much learning (know-
ledge) doth make thee mad. -
But he said, / am not mad most noble
Festus; but speak forth the words Of truth
and sobsrness.-Aets, XXVI-A, %.
The sMorning News Of October
SOth, asserts 'sthele is something radi-
cally wrong with the MIDDLEToWN
TRANSCRIPT, referring to our edi-
torial Of Oct. 2sth, With the great
Paul we humbly cry aloud we "but
speak forth the words of truth and,
soberness.'' The TRANSCRIPT does
not for one moment 'simagine that it
alone has the courage of its convic-
tionso (see entire article on first page)
but It has been more persistent than
others In its ciy against the evils OF
Addicksism, and the "Morning Newso
at times has been SO silent that some
Lf its friends have wondered if it had
deserted the cause. We make mo
miserable attack" but our words are
sstruth snd soberness. Not only Is
the Republican party in danger but
our beloved State is threatened With
q political boss that all the evils OF
Crokerism, Qusyism, Plattism, Cor
manism combined do not equal. It is
not pleasant to fight these evils since
they stop at nothing to gain their ends.
but what is the duty Of conscientious
journal? sThe TRANSCRIPT encoura'
ges the authors of political vaporings"
nothing for its denunciations are too
direct and too certain. The idea that
''insiluations" are unworthy Of notice
is comforting but fallacious. Let sim
situations" against the fairest name of
the purest Of Wilmington's lovely dau'
ghters bs allowed to go uncontradicted
by those whose duty and honor it is to
defend and soon not only the political
gossip but the uncertain mugwump
will begin to whisper, "Where there is
so much smoke there must be some
fire," and without speedy heroic meas
ures virtuous character goes out con-
stantly half accused. This is truth.
Politically the same rule holds. If
the Morning News' does not defend
fits party leaders, when they merit de-
fence, is 1t any wonder they lose ground
rs party advocatesP
The Morning News" says 1t ''repre-
ssnts the thoughtful and conscientious
Republicans of the State" We agree.
but we ask the question, "Why then
has Addicksism grown to such proper
tions ia this State?" This is no ad mis-.
sim but fact. On the 9th of May,
1895 not a score of Republicans in the
State could be found to defend the
traitorous acts of defeating the cleo
tion tf Senator by the conspiracy
with the Democrats-how is 1t now?
A quarter of column daily from then
to the present in the "Morning News"
In defence of honest Republicanism
and denunciation Of false statements
against it would. iu our opinion, have
held the State to steady moorings. We
say regretfully and sorrowfully that the
"Morning News" has failed Of its duty
10 its party. "The shriekings and the
falsehoods and tie Misrepresentation
OF those who have found it profitable
to create and foster party decision
count for" everything-not "nothing,"
as the Morning Nsws'' puts it. Re-
Gently one Of the best posted Republl-
can papers In the State allowed the
claim that Addicks put money in the
first Republican victory in the State
1883. This is false. ErIor must be
foughs-fought vigorously. Party
leaders must be defended "at the drop
OF the hat" when they merit it. The
Morning News'' has not done this,
hence our dilemma.
The new editor of the "Evening
Journal' said this week: THE easiest I
thing in the world to do is fur liar, or
Tor merely suspicious person, or for
pure and honest but mistaken person
to make false charge that will IRE,
parably injure an innocent pereon."
This is truth. 1.-THE "Morning News"
as it says. and other reputable agencies,
"cannot affuId to waste our time and
consume our space with attempts to
answer the mutterings and the rant
ings Of those who cleave not to facts
and dodge the TRUTH" then true Re-
publicanism is lost, the State must suf-
fer.
''Vice J.; monster of so frlghtful mien.
As to be hated needs but to be seen:
But seen too oft. familiar withits face.
We first endure, then pity. then EN-,