Evening journal., 1902-03-07
A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS


fresh south winds
A VOICE IN THE WILDERNESS
The Dover Index comes out in a
straightforward editorial this week
that has the true ring; under the head
ing of Abandon Iniquity,' It tells us
what Democracy means, and then ad-
vocates a policy for the future. or
course we do not agree with It's ideas
regarding Democracy, but we are in ac-
cord with its candid statements regard
ing the corrupt use Of money. The fol-
lowing premise is sound, we think;
People are naturally honest It is
only at times when personal benefits
are a consideration that dishonesty Is
Hppermost Apart from personal con-
siderations. give man the choice be-
tween right and wrong and he will al
most invariably choose that which Is
right. and the natural. moral condition
of the people of Delaware must, from
the very nature of things. be one OF the
most potential hactOrR extant In deter
mining the success or the defeat Of the
Democratic party in it's coming cam
paign.
This is true. and in the long run we
believe that right methods and de-
cent regard for the moral instincts OF
the people are the factors which must
make for the success of any party,
nar,..o.ratf tfo "a. D.t,,IIf..,, w, AL. a.,
oandor. too. Of the Index on the ques-
tion vote-buying It's declaration Ia
so uneuuivooal that it cannot ba taken
70 task for seeking party advantage in
it's statements. In asking for a new
deal it is willing that its own party
shall take any blame which attaches To-
II. Il says;
Vote buying in Delaware, for the last
eight or ten years has been one Of tho
main issues which has characterized
the efforts OF both tho principal politi-
cal parties in this State. II Is q motor
ious fact that the Republican party has
bought votes. 10 Is equally notorious
that tho Democratic party has bought
votes. Both have been guilty OF the
offense and the only remaining ele-
ment in the question TO be considered
is that Of degree.
The Index goes on 10 say that the
Constitutional Convention endeavored
TO eradicate the evil by incorporating
in the Constitution certain provisions,
and continues:
The fact Of It's not having stamped
out the evil is owing to the support
which the political parties OF this
State have refused 10 give it That mo
more prosecutions under the enactment
have taken place than those which
have occurred is simply owing to the
fact that one party has been afraid and
the other dare not.
Another reason IS that in such case.
Il is almost impossible TO secure SUM-.
cient evidence. and, too, there Is al
WAYS reluctance TO involve ones
neighbors and friends in such matters
Following this comes the appeal 10 TN
Democratic party TO abandon the OH
policy Of corruption, and go before TIT
people with clean hands. Our contem
pOrary concludes as follows:
For the coming campaign and al
other campaigns. let the Democrats O
Delaware hold aloof from vote buying
Let them enter their political battle
with clean hands. Then, let them re
main clean. BY doing this. we believ
success will be assured: that the goo
people of the State will rally TO thei
support, and thus assist in eradicatin
the 'nOisesOme pesilence' which ha
cursed our State and caused II to b
held in obloquy and contempt
While this position is somewhat +,
markable for a party journal in tn
State-and especially a Democrat
iournal-yet It has a ring Of sincerit
But after all. it is the only true pos
ton for any paper which desires to
an elevating force, to assume. v
trust the Democratic party will take !
advice. II II should. and that happe'
TO give it the advantage, 1t will ha'
honestly earned II.
But what are the Republicans goil
to do? We all know what Addicksis
means. and it isn't necessary to e
deavor to conceal it or lie about it.
have no idea that the advice of I
Index will be taken. but should II
we would have the old condition
versed-Democracy standing for
clean government and an unc0rrupf
franchise. and Union Republicans T.
resenting all that Democracy stood
in former years. and which through
quarter OF a century we vigorously q
justly denounced. But suppose b'
parties should adopt the new poll
how proud old Delaware would be, I
what a publication Of the political
mosphere would follow
A -. 4.