The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-03-12
FOR DEMOCRATS TO CONSIDER.

II 7
unnecessary to comment seriously
upon the concerted effort of the Re
publican newspapers of the country
to boom the candidacy Of William r.
Hearst for the Democratic nomination
to the presidency. The motive of the
movement and the source Of the sus-
tanned effort were too palpable. AS
many people not so well informed
seem, however, to be considering it as
a serious matter and one within the
range of practical possibilities, word
or two about the actual facts seems in
order. We have no candidate to boom
and none to defeat, but it is our duty
and privilege to look facts in the face
and take counsel upon them with other
Democrats, where all are equally in
terested.
There are two mainsprings beneath
the Hearst movement if it may be so
far dignifed. One already referred to
is the universal anxiety of Republicans,
fearful as they are of this years issue,
aware as they are that a proper can
didate would defeat them, to lead the
Democracy into mistake. The other,
prior in point of time, is the fixed pol
icy of Mr.. Hearst himself to advertise
himself and his newspapers into that
daily notoriety upon which both de-
pend.
Mr.. Hearst began the campaign with
the backing of several millions and
some yellow newspapers. We do not
think that at first he had the slightest
idea of a possible capture of the nom
ination. It was one of his advertising
schemes. To have himself talked about
for the presidency would sell more pa
pers and minister also to personal van
ity. Undoubtedly as time crept on
and he put more and more money into
the scheme the praise and prophesies
of his satellites inspired him with the
belief that the thing was possible, and
he is now in dead earnest.
These are the forces behind the
Hearst boom. First, overweening am
bitfon for notoriety; second, fund of
several million dollars, less the heavy
loss from publishing sensational news
papers; third, the real and more or
less efficacious activity of paid agents
in almost every state working under
Mr.. Hearst's direction, reporting to him
and spending his money freely to work
UP sentiment; fourth, the solid as
sistance of Republican political lead
ers, special correspondents and news
papers in every part of the country,
who feel that against Hearst they could
safely nominate any Republican on
any platform, raise no money, do no
work and carry more states without
raising a finger than Grant did against
Greeley. Lastly, there is small body
of clean and sincere men who advo-
cate Mr.. Hearst's nomination because
they do not realize all that it means.
We say serious word now, because
we think the time has come to speak
seriously. Those Democrats who, I'M
aware of the facts, are honestly
minded to lean toward the Hearst
campaign, should consider gravely a
few things. Is it in line with recent Dem
ocratic history or in conformity with the
present spirit of the party to look for
a candidate whose wealth is his whole
recommendation? Is the man of money
to swallow up Democracy, too? Can
the Democratic party afford without
indignant protest to have it's name
coupled with that of man whose per-
sonal record would at once repel a
great majority Of the voters of all par
ties? For the sake of Democratic
success and Democratic honor, and
without the slightest feeling in the
matter or desire to exalt or pull down
any candidate, we place these prac-
teal questions before the Democrats
of Minnesota.