Evening journal., 1904-08-29

wT is the chosen part Of politician
10 demand respect for maiorities;
it is stin the business Of other men
to estimate the constituent elements in
majorlties just as they estimate any
thing else. when we regard mere
numbers We frankly admit that the Un-
ion Republican vote during the last few
years has been greater than the Regu-
lar Republican vote 1t is the duty of
p an citizens to respect majorltes as far
as the law demands IT, but beyond that
they may use their Judgment
According to our Institutions the will
Of majorities must be obeyed. unless
fraud or other violation of the law can
be proved We may be morally GER
tain that more than half of a majority
is made up of purchased votes and that
certain successful candidates are law
breakers and periurers. But our proof
must substantiate our belief in court.
or we are bound by the majority as re-
corded.
the slightest disposition to withhold
from majorities their legal and consti-
tutional rights IN Delaware. When
Republicans or Union Republicans have
been successful Democrats have good
naturedly acquiesoed, when Republic
cans have been divided and Democrats
elected as a consequence, nobody has
thought Of entering a protest.
So majority rule obtains and is re-
spected In Delaware as elsewhere, and
an statements 20 the contrary are but
"springes to catch woodcocls." But this
principle OF majority rule about which
so much has been said only applies to
the results secured and determined by
the electors; It does not apply to men in
their party Affiliations Each voter
may have a party for himself for that
matter. according to the American
theory.
II has been argued that both
branches OF the Republican party In
this State support the same national
ticket and the same platform. But ma
tional questions alone do not decide
whether "A party is or should be unit.
Certainly there is as much reason for
forming new parties and for maintain
ing them on questions Of local concern
as over matters Of national policy.
The fact is that there is a Republi-
can party i'm Delaware which is op-
posed to Addicks and TO the general
policy which has been followed by the
party he has created. The Republican
party and the Union Republican party
arc as distinct as are the Prohibition
lists and the Democrats. Many a Pro-
hibtionist will vote for Roosevelt. but
support his party candidates for tn,
Legislature. BY their nature and con.
stitution, as well as by matter of right
the Republicans and the Unions ar,
two distinct parties.
Can they have anything in common
then? Yes: BY fusion. That is tn
proper word As the Populist an
Democratic parties each retained It
own identity when Bryan received thel
united support. so It IS possible for IN
two parties in Delaware. allied in sent
ment on all national questions {
unite temporarily in movemer
such as is usually termed ~
sion. But there are no rights in n
matter and win be none unless som
agreement is reached. Like men form
Ing a partnership. the rights Of eac
are to be determined by the nnal CON
pact. -..4. s..
The Prohibitionists are entitled
maintain their organization and
nominate a full ticket even though the
don't poll. one per cent. Of the vote
and the Republican party has ~
- right to exist to do business in it's ov
name and to ignore outside advice II
chooses.