New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-07-24
THEIR FIRST CONSIDERATIONS.

1t may fairly he inferred both from the
length and the contents Of the articles which
''fndepeudent" and "anti-inperiast advocates
of a third ticket are having published that they
find il pretty hard work to account for their
attitude in such manner as not to repel those
whom they want to attract. Their efforts sug-
gest the inquiry how many of them are really
actuated by any other feeling so strong as their
personal hostility TO the President We do not
wish TO do anybody injustice, but il seems to
us that most of the printed communications
which are now urging the Importance of pro
viIing the conscience vote with an oppOr-
tunfty Of recording itself are little more than a
saturated solution of animOsity toward Mcl<in-
ley and that the writer's chief desire is to ac-
cOmplish his defeat without regard to conse-
quences They cannot advise those whom they
hope to influence TO vote directly for Bryan. for
they are so absolutely committed against him
and all he stands for that such advice would
be an indecent exposure Of their minds. They
cannot recommend a refusal TO vote at ALL for
il is OF the very essence of their ostenslble
contention that the situation demands an ag-
gressive support Of the principles they proclaim.
Their only convenient course. therefore. is to
insist that n third standard shall be raised for
them TO rally around during the campaign and
perhaps desert at the polls under the pressure
Of a more or less secret longing to have Bryan
win
The state of mind which various published
utterances on the subject of a third ticket thus
seem to reflect more clearly and frankly
revealed in the characteristic letter which Mr..
F. L. Godkin, late Editor of The Evening
Post" recently sent to 'The New-York Morning
Journal Il have deep seated prejudice" he
wrote against William Mckinley and the men
who surround him and act with him; and he
added: My opinion Of them. formed long ago.
lis that they are the most dangerous set of
"scoundrels by which any civilized country was
ever beset." As an example of sweetness and
light. or even of moderation In statement, this
outgvng leaves something to be desired, but
disclosure of personal feeling it may safely
he accepted as accurate and reasonably COM
plpte 1t will he observed that Mr.. Godkins
! estimate Of Mckinley and the men who sur.
| round him and act with him-a tolerably com
| prehenSiye classification formed long
ago" presumably. therefore before the issue of
"mperialism' raised by the success Of our
! arms in the war of 1898 NOw. suppose it is
! not unfair 10 Mr.. GOdkin, to most of those
! who are at present using 1.-The Evening Post
! TO advocate a third ticket TO assume that their
! diversions not widely different from his. and
that if in unguarded moment they were 10
"a deep seated prejudice against William Nc
/ Kinley and the men who surround him. though
I they might not include all who "act with him "
For this think that such appeals
are unlikely to accomplish their object. The
strength of the emotion which inspires them II
evident but it is not an emotion OF the con
tagious sort. Only a few Of the people of
the United States permit themselves to be gov
PIncd in political matters by "a deep seated
prejudice" against individuals. The great ma
iority act according 10 their convictions. which
may be erroneous. but are not wholly lacking in
! responsibility