Evening journal., 1900-10-16
NEWSPAPER OPINION
Delaware's Peril

From the Philadelphia Public Ledger.
Among recent developments in Della
ware politics the most ominous feature is
the apparent tendency on the part OF
some influential Regular Republicans to
surrender to Addicks in the interests of
harmony" The Regular Republicans
have fought long and pertinacious fight
against the Addicss contingent, which is
known as the Union Republican party,
and it seems reasonable to believe they
would have eliminated that faction as
power for evil this year had not the Ma
tional Republican Committee made the
most egregious blunder of recognizing
the Addicks crowd at the Philadelphia
Convention, thus giving it the stamp Of
party regularity. The false step gave the
AddiclSs faction new hope. and, unfortu-
nately, 1t has correspondingly depressed
the Regulars The Regulars are still
maintaining the fight and some OF them
are made of such sterling and honorable
stun that they will keep the fight up al
ways; but there are among them many
weakened and half-hearted persons
known as the 'want-to-win" Regulars
who are willing, If not anxious. to bring
about compromise, even IL it results in
the triumph of Addicks and all the evils
which the Regulars have so stoutly been
waging war against
1t has been shown time and again for
several campaigns that the only kind Of
compromise which Addicks will accept is
the harmony that leaves him boss" of
Delaware and United States senator. To
prevent such a calamity to the state the
Regulars have put forth their utmost en-
deavors for years. but now certain poll
ticians. who cannot restrain their eager
ness TO hold office. are showing weari-
ness in the struggle to maintain the
honor Of their state and party, and the
impression prevails that they are medi-
tating an ignoble surrender to Addicks-
ism, it It can be done with some dlscre-
ton and regard for appearances. That
is an impossibility.
During the past week a person named
Smith, purporting to represent the Re
publican National Committee, has been
active in the state in the interests of
harmony" 1t is alleged that he has
been so urgent in advising Regular Re
lpublicans, especially postmasters and
other office holders. to get off tickets
III oih1i Ahdl lltIt may De Duf one he-
publican ticket that the persons ap-
preached look upon his work as a des-
perate attempt to elect Addicks.
When it transpired that Smith bore a
letter Of credentials from ex-senator Hig-
gins, prominent and trusted Regular
leader, there was a sensation, which
seemed to give color to the persistent ru-
mors to the effect that Senator Higgins
has Of late been inclined to "harmonize'
with Addicks on a plan by which each
should receive a senatorship. Such stor.
les seem incredible. The senatorshfp IS
a high honor, and II is a worthy ambi.
tion to aspire to it, but a man Of Senator
Higgins intelligence and standing in tn,
state and nation knows as well as any.
body that a senatorship obtained by sucl
means would not be an honor. but ar
infamy. The chief concern which tn,
Republican National Committee and tn
country have, or should have, In Della
ware politics is to see that the Republi
I. can electors are chosen. Both faction
have common electors and McKinle,
and Roosevelt have a good chance 4
win. II. however, the National Commit
tee tries to force Addicl1s upon Della
ware, the disgust will be so deep and gen
eral that the whole Delaware Democrati
, ticket, electors and all, will win.