The Washington times., 1904-10-02
License Of a Campaign.

Boasts have been frequent this
campaign concerning the absence Of
"mud-slinging." Both sides have ex-
pressed pride in the intent and ac-
tuality OF avoiding abuse Each Of
the candidates is a man OF clean and
open career. A charge against either
Of personal misconduct would be &C
cepted as Islander, and would react
The mere impulse Of decency, if not
strong enough to insure honorable
methods, would be enforced by the de-
sire to be polite.
But some of this boasting seems to
have been without warrant There
have been accusations of the most
serious sort against the Republican
candidate. The papers bringing these
charges-among them the World"
and Times" Of New York, are care
ful to make a distinction between the
candidate and the man. To the man
they attribute high motives and TO the
candidate the basest Of methods. The
distinction is an evident folly. It Is
distinction between Theodore
Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt
The Jekyl and Hyde business is for
the purpose Of the novelist only. If
in one capacity an individual is cor
Tupt there is nOflOgic in considering
him as a dual personality. Thus TO
attack the candidate on the ground
Of his dishonesty. and accord to the
man the virtue Of honesty, is nothing
but an evasion.
Charges are made that the chairman
Of the Republican National Commit
tee is raising funds by blackmaiI, al
though this obnoxious term is not EN-
plOyed. 1t might as we'll be, as IL is
specific, and embodies in a single
word 9 description Of the conduct
ascribed to him. He is said TO be
using the knowledge he acquired as
head Of the Department OF Commerce
TO coerce the big corporations into do
mating such sums as he deems need
ful. The point is made that he comes
from consultation with the President
TO go upon a foray, thus directly in
YolYing the honor Of the President.
At the same time emphasis is laid
upon the imaginary fact that the hon
or Of Mr.. Roosevelt Is not being as
sailed. And because Of this delicate
abstention credit is taken by the gen
tesl purveyors Of mud for not dab
bling in that speciality. II seems to
the observer that they have dabbled
eIbow-deep, and are being daubed
with the spatter Of their CHOSEN mis-
sile.
There always are gross misrepre-
sensations both as 20 the size Of cam
paign funds and the manner Of secur-|
ing them, but seldom have these gone
TO the extent mentioned. Never have
they gone TO such extent with the
calumniatOrs calmly asserting that
they are not dealing In calumny, but
that they esteem highly the gentle
man upon whom falls the burden OF
the abuse emanating from them.
Doubtless many large concerns
have contributed 70 the Republican
committee and also TO the Democratic
committee. That a single one has
done so in fear Of the consequences
TO itself in case Of refusal is not TO be
believed. To say that Mr.. Cortelyou
has gone 70 any and extorted a check
by threats OF exposure IS 10 say that
as a Government official he violated
his oath OF 0fnce and as chairman he
practices a crime that should land
him IN the penitentiary. II this is
not abuse, will the esteemed contem-
pOraries please supply a name for it,
II 10 allow the inference that the
President directs such a course, but
is personally a spotless citizen, is not
an absurd anomaly a characterize
ton OF IL would be useful, too.
Nor Is this fault on one side only. /
There win be no inclination TO ex-I
cuse the excuses Of the bitterly par
tisan Republican papers OF which the
New York Tribune" and Press" are
examples. They have refused 10 treat
Judge Parker with fairness, have be /
Titled his candidacy. sconed at his |
Yiriie and moderate utterances, and
employed the weapon OF ridicule and /
perYeTsiOn where readers had the 1
right To expect argument and fact.
There are some issues as between
the two parties. Even when they