Evening journal., 1900-08-24
NEWSPAPER OPINION.
Party Divisions In Delaware
rram the New York Tribune.

From the New York Tribune.
When the Republican National Con-
vention. reversing a judgment deliber-
ately given four years earlier voted
last June at Philadelphia to recognize
as regular that faction of the party in
Delaware which, had tied itself to j.
Edward Addicks' personal fortunes and
leadership many impartial observers
feared a blunder had been committed
which would cost the national ticket
Delaware's three electoral votes. So
fragrant had been the efforts of Mr. Ad-
dicks to prevent the Republican party
reaping the fruits of its successive vic
tories of 1894, 1896 and 1898, that the
sudden acceptance at Philadelphia OF
his claim to regularity could not fail to
introduce new elements of rancor and
discord into Delaware politics. At the
outset of a campaign in which three
votes in the Electoral College, two
seats in the United States Senate, and
a double term in the House of Repre-
sentatives were the prizes at stake
such an aggravation of partisan jeal-
ousies was an error of policy as OBJ
vious as it was to be deeply deplored.
The Tribune protested vigorously at
the time against the National Con-
vention's acquiescence in the program
which seated a full Addicks delegation
and singled out Mr.. Addicks himself
to be Delaware's spokesman on the Re-
publican National Committee. We see
no reason now to change our opinion
of Mr.. Addicks or OF the dog in the
manger role he has played in Delaware
politics for the last six years Yet on
the wholesome theory that one politi-
cal blunder does not excuse or justify
another we sincerely commend the
generous and patriotic efforts which
the Regular Republican organization
is now making to carry through such
plans for fusion with the Addiclxs
forces as will insure Mckinley and
Roosevelt the states electoral vote.
A fusion on electors is. indeed, prac-
tically in sight The Addicks Republi-
cans at their snap" convention two
weeks ago, nominated three electors.
Two OF them have since withdrawn,
and the third was put last Tuesday on
the state ticket by the Regular Repub-
licans. The two other Regular nomi-
nees will. it IS understood, be endorsed
by the second Addicks State COnven-
ton. which is to be held within a day
or two. The chief surprise, indeed, Of
the Regular Republican Convention at
Wilmington was the spirit of concilia-
ton shown by the great majority Of
the delegates present. The short term
nominee for Congress of the Union
Convention was indorsed. as was the
Addicks candidate for attorney-gen-
eral, and an effort, which almost sue
ceeded. was made to put the Addicks
nominee for governor on the Regular
ticket for the full term in Congress.
The temper of the convention was fur
ther shown by the acceptance as part
Of the platform OF a declaration favor
ing "all just and honorable measures
looking to the adjustment of existing
differences among Republicans in Della
ware" and by the adoption subse-
quently of a resolution authorizing the
State Committee ito make all honor
able efforts to secure the nomination of
one Republican ticket in this state"
In view of the invidious action of the
| National Convention. the Regular Re
publican organization in Delaware
seems to have made as liberal conces-
sions and sacrifices for party success as
could be expected OF the most loyal
party spirit. It's recent offers of com
promise throw the responsibility for
the further success or failure of fusion
where il belongs-on the shoulders of
the former party wrecker whom the
Republican managers at Philadelphia
saw fit to invest with clearly unmerit-
ed honOrs and power.