New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-06
TIE EIECTION.

Brougham IS credited with having said.
though he gave il the semhlance n quotation,
that ''the whole machinery NJ the State all the
apparatus Of the system. and is varied work
'lngs. end in simply bringing twelve good men
Into a box" One stag in that process Of 70
ductiOn Will end to-day in bringing some fifteen
million citizens. good and bad 70 the ballot
boxes That Is the colossal estimate Of the vote
which liz 10 elect a President % the United
States this year. and fl will not prove excessive
IL ali who are legally qualified perform the act
to which they have been simultaneously urged
for nearly five months, We have referred 10
the good and bad citizens who sure 10 ap-
pear AZ the polls. The indifferent citizens will
chiefly account for the deficiency if there Is one,
but The calculation ought to be verified. The
stay-at-home voter is not an altogether adml-
rable object, even when he means his conduct TO
signify devotion 70 principle 10 the extent Of
half vote. When he merely neglects or cyni-
cally disdains 70 perform the first duty Of citl-
zenshp while reserving to himself the privilege
OF criticising and condemning the Government
which he has done nothing to establish or
modify he merits heavier censure than he com
monty receives
Citizens who might have registered. but care
essy selfshly failed TO acquire that essential
qualification, may be set aside for future trea IL
ment. Those who ran vote If they will are the
subjects Of concern to-day. To begin with, we
do not think there Is going TO be any such in
reference with the election as Democratic lead
ers who have lost their heads are threatening
and some spprehensive persons appear TO ex-
peel. No thanks will be due to Croker or Jones
or, we are sorry 10 say, 10 Bryan himself, If the
passions they have endeavored to arouse do
not find expression in deeds Of lawlessness: but
We confidently believe that their advice will
not be taken TO any considerable extent in any
part Of the country. The election will presume
bly, be honest. except in States where dishonesty
has been made constitutional, and peaceable
everywhere. A great majority OF the voters Of
both parties know their rights and, consenting
to nothing less. want nothing more. Fear Of
personal harm would be the most foolish Of all
excuses for failure TO go to the polls.
As there is no sufficient reason 10 look for
trouble so is there the best Of reasons for
avoiding acts which might possibly lead 70
trouble. Chairman Odell in his final address
TO Republicans has offered some excellent sug-
gestions in that respect At many polling
places. especially in this city there will be little
enough time at the best to accommodate all
the voters who are likely 10 appear. The wise
man will cast his ballot at an early hour, thus
getting himself out OF the way OF late corners
and putting the rest Of the day at his own dis
posal, for purposes Of amusement If he is Sc
inclined. or Of final argument and persuasion, il
| his earnestnPss is such AZ TO inspire him with
a sense Of responsibility for others. Some last
| efforts OF that sort remain 10 be made even on
Election Day. and they may he useful as
! they are Legitimate.
We are glad to be able TO say that all OBJ
| tainable information down TO the latest hour
confirms our opinion that an overwhelming yer
| dict for public order, financial honesty and Ma
tional honor at home and abroad is about TO be
| recorded.