The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-06
PERSONALITIES ARE uNrlMELy.

little while ago 4 joint debate was
had at Fort Worth between Senator chill
ton and Hon J. ". Bailey, candidates for
the United States senatorship. 1t passed
of without the occurrence of incident to
mar its fairness or dignity. MIR. Bailey a
short time thereafter went on his way to
Washington. MIR. Chiffon prolonged HIS
stay in Texas 10 ali an invitation to de-
liver speech at Dallas The speech was
made on the list instant. From the re-
port provided in the press dispatches, serv.
ed UP as a breakfast dish wherever the
morning newspaper has its myriad
patrons, the Dallas speech OF the senior
senator from Texas must have been a So
we're assault upon his absent antagonist
These dispatches say.
In addition to rdculing Bailey In his as,
prations for the senatorship. he declared
Bailey was unworthy of democratic leader
ship that he WAS "au obiector, kicker a
dtsofganizer, and that he ought 10 be driven
out Of the domocratiC party"
The bitterness OF Senator Chiltnus crItt~
cism Of MIR. Bailey's political course was a
surprise 10 both his own and Mr. Bailey S
friends IT foreshadoWs a harsh campaign
from now on between the two distinguished
Texans
From the published renorts of the Fort
Worth joint discussion no fair minded
man will draw the conclusion that Sou
ator Chilton's attack upon MIR. Bailey at
Dallas was other than unfortunate. II not
lll-adVised and unwarranted. AT Fort
Worth the challenger stood before the
challenged Al Dallas the challenge OF
the Forth Worth engagement stood alone.
With his challenger many miles beyond
The reach OF the man who thus chose to
arraign, accuse and ridicule. while none
stood by TO defend The Fort Worth in
eident was one to crafty the tnstes and
judgments OF men who stand for the prin-
clple OF fair play between public advocates
whom the voter has honored and feels
ready to again honor The Dallas incident
does not so appeal to men who subscribe
to tho doctrine that the accuser should
accord the accused hearing, before de-
scendlng to the valley where shadow
shuts out the sun of candor. At Fort
Worth y was thrust and parry between
trained gladiators in tho arena OF debate
who faced each other with honest courage,
each believing himself panoplied in right.
At Dallas one gladiator occupied the arena
alone, undismayed by the presence OF an
antagonist worthy his keenest blade, and
free TO cut and slash as his own riotous
temper might prompt or the applause of
clansmen. warmed 10 enthusiasm by the
one-sided ARRAY. might urge to more Sc
we're onslaught.
The Dallas episode was unfortunate foi
more reasons than one. All men nstlnc-
lively abhor attack upon distant adver-
sary. Then again all men resent the In.
PRODUCTION of personalities in contest
for the United States senatorship. par.
iieularly, II is great Office None hut
truly great men should be encouraged TO
aspire to ii, and certainly for IL none
but great men should be selected by
sovereign people, Mr. Bailey, so far as
the printed reports reveal the facts, at
Fort Worth. INDUCED in neither personal-
ties nor ridicnle towards Mr. Chiffon and
II he did. the accused stood before the ar-
cuser. That debate WAS confined 10 the
issues and they were issues Involving the
prosperity OF the country and the preser-
walton Of its principles and institutions
Mr.. Bsiley's arraignmept OF Mr.. Chill.
ton may have been severe but the arraisn-
ment related wholly to public questions
and who will say that II was not done
boldly as man to man? Can az much be
said OF Mr. chilton's purely personal at
lacks on Mr.. Bailey at Dallas, whilst the
latter was In Washington and the former
lettering in the rear to assail an adversary
who had gone to his post Of duty II the
news 81 senator chilton's assault upon
his absent opponent, as flung broadcast to