The sun., 1900-10-03
TRADITIONS AND IDEALS.

From the Dover State Sentinel.
We very willfully give space in this
column to what appears to be Il full re-
port of the first speech made by Mr..
Peter j. Ford, the Democratic cadidate
for Governor of Delaware. 1t was de-
livered at Georgetown, ut the meeting
incident to the Democratic County Con
vention Of Sussex. 1t is as follows:
Il am sure it is also gratifying to
cry one who is determined that the
ate of Delaware shall keep true 10
traditions The determination of the
democrats of Sussex. we Of New Castle
all know, and are familiar with. We
propose to stand shoulder to shoulder
with you and our friends in Kent conn
ty and fight the fight that we hope will
bring Delaware to its former place
among the states Of tie Ufnion. We
hope the Democrats of Sussex along
with the Democrats Of the whole State
will bring Delaware in November next
from the disgrace now threatening it.
Il am in no SENSE public speaker,
but at future time will appear before
you and discuss the issues that will be
paramount in this campaign Z
1t will ho observed that Mr. Ford is
strong On traditions that he has dis
covered and uses the vague and deScrip-
tive terms common in Delaware's polit-
ical mossbacks and fossils, ana is de-
termined to keep the State true to its
traditions.
What does Mr.. Ford mean?
What are Delaware's political tradi-
tions? Tradition. the dictionary saws.
is oral account transmitted from father
to son. That is. stories and tales. true
and untrue. which former Delawarcans
have told to their sons.
We want to say to Mr.. Ford that n
good many of these stories which we
have heard about Democrats. and we
presume that Mr.. Ford means Demo-
cratic traditions-would not look well
in print, and would scarcely rebound
to their sons and grandson'S credit.
Mr.. Ford says something else.
He expresses the hope that we the Dem
ocratic party including himself, may
bring Delaware to its former place
among the States of the Union" How
FAR back in the States history does he "a
TO hnd It's former place? That is i'm
portant. We do not remember any timc
whel the States place among the States
was much better than it is now, barring
the fact that there was Il time when
there was no. or ut least very few Demo
We suggest to Mr.. Ford thnt
there is tradition that the Dcmocrati,
party attempted to take the State ont of
the Union. and that Delaware was virtn
ally rebel State: that all during The
ClVll War the Government Of the Stnt,
was opposed to the Government of th,
United States. and that ii attempted /,
prevent the enlistment of soldiers for th,
ueftilse of the Union. =
There is also Il tradition that Il Snuls
bury invented the dclinuuent tay lnv
scheme for DISTINGUISHING Rolublicahs
particularly colorcd Republicans. ana do
bauching Democratic voters by Il Systcu
Of bribary in which the money WA
hlched from the county trcasuries. Th
tradition says that about half Il million
dollars were stolen in that way. III,
mat an average of from 5000 Ia 1000
Republican voters We're kept disfranch
ised in order to allow the Democrats +
steal the state every two Years.
There are also traditions of murdrrou
assaults made by Democrats upon inot
fenslve colored voters To drive thpl
away from the polls. Some Of thcs
traditions relate TO the city in which Nj
Ford makes his home.
There are also traditions Of tax cole,
tors running away to prevent the collie,
ton of taxes from Republican voter,
OF hundreds of men hesieging tax officer
for the payment of taxes while tny co
lectors were delaying and refusing {
take taxes; Of courts which denied th
rights of voters to pay taxes by III
hand Of an attorney: Of policemen dri,
ing Repuhlicans out Of the Wilmingto
City Hall. where they had assemble
and qualified themselves as voters.
These are the things which have d
graced the State, and it is disgrace liE
thlS that is Threatened in the attempt
elect him Governor Of Delaware. Wi
Mr.. Ford tell us in his next spper
how to avoid this disgrace?