New-York tribune., 1903-01-24
THE DUTY OF THE DAY IN DELAWARE.


The prospect of a coalition in Delaware to
send Democrat and an anti-Addicks Republl-
can to the United States Senate is said to be
improving Members of the legislature may be
cherishing secret purposes which make signs
of progress in that direction deceptive, but
all the reports agree that the Regular Republi-
cans are more favora bly, inclined to the Demo
cratic proposition than they were at the out
set the appeals for its rejection which they
have received from various quarters having ap-
parently produced effect directly contrary
10 that which was intended. The latest account
of the situation is that five Republicans are
ready TO accept the proposed arrangement by
which an anti-Addicks Republican may be
elected for the longer Of the unexpired terms
and a Democrat for the shorter, and conse-
ouenty that only one more consent is needed TO
make it effective. If that is true the pressure
must be very strong. and il seems more likely
10 become Irresistible than 10 relax. Another
favorable circumstance is ex-senator Kenney's
willingness TO withdraw from the contest, for
there is stronger Republican opposition TO him
than to some other Democrats who have been
named.
Without questioning the motives of Republl-
cans who have urged the resolute opponents OF
Addicks and his methods in the Delaware legis-
Senate We declare again our belief that they
ought not TO neglect the chance now offered
them of filling the vacancies with respectable
men who. while differing widely in their politi-
cal views. agree in detesting that selfish and
corrupt manipulation. II they defeat his policy
of "Addicks or nobody they will not only give
their State its due representation in the Senate.
but deal him a staggering blow. If they pro
long the deadlock they will leave him at least
as strong as he is now, and there is reason to
fear that by means of the political machinery
which he has set up and is always glad to use
for base purposes he may succeed in capturing
n majority Of the next legislature. 1t Is our
opinion that they cannot afford TO take that
risk in Justice to themselves, TO Delaware and
TO the country and examination Of our newspa-
per exchanges convinces that such is the
general opinion of Republicans.
When in 1896 and four years later, the honor
as well as the material welfare of the country
was at stake. Republicans everywhere entreated
Democrats TO ignore party claims for the time
being and enlist in the national defence. Hun
dreds of thousands did so, and have never re-
gretted il. The present emergency in Delaware,
reographically restricted as it may to be,
nevertheless truly concerns the whole country,
and is Of such a character as TO invite a similar
sacrifice of partisan feeling by those who are
able to control it. Indeed it seems to us that
a preference for prolonging the deadlock is sug-
gestive either of some degree of sympathy with
Addicks or Of an unbecoming fear OF political
consequences The Regular Republicans of Del
aware have established a fine record for disin-
terestedness. They have repeatedly offered to
elect any man whom the followers OF Addicks
might name, excepting only Addicks himself
Heretofore his despotic rejection Of every such
proposal has left only one course open TO them
and they have steadfastly pursued it. The Dem
ocrats have now offered them an alternative
which they can honorably accept and we ear
nestly hope they will not let the opportunity
pass.