New-York tribune., 1906-10-31
RE4sOy rs. UVREASoN.

| In the state campaign now ending there mas
/ been. and could be, only one vital issue MI
/ Hearsts political methods put our democratic
system itself on trial His canvass has not fol-
lowed time honored American lines. de mas
not appealed for votes as Democrat struggling
for the success Of Democratic principles or as
an independent denouncing both Democratic
and Republican policies and offering new nos
tr1lrrS of his own. He has based his campaign.
instead on indiscriminate abuse Of all who do
not agree with him. whatever their IDEAS or
party affiliations, and has endeavored 10 sway
public opinion not by reason and argument but
by clsmor defamation and calumny. He has
sought 10 infame and unsettle the public judg-
nnent and 10 poison that conscience which in q
democracy like ours is the last arbiter between
justice and passion, between right and wrong.
The Tribune outlined and emphasized this
issue the day Mr.. Hearst was nominated at Buf-
falo. Mr.. Hughes made il the feature Of his
first campaign speech. In which he announced
that the fight in this state was not one between
parties but between tendencies. between those
who believed that public questions should be
dealt with in a spirit OF selfrestraint and So
briefly and those who believed that they could
be dealt with in a spirit Of envy. hatred and
all uncharitableness. The campaign is nearing
its close but nothing has happened 10 obscure
or change this fundamental issue On the con-
thoroughly justified the charge that he is at
tempting 10 make prejudice, passion and class
hatred the dominating forces in American pol
itcs- Mr. Hughes. therefore. ends his cam
paign as he began it, by appealing for the sup
port of all good citizens on the fundamental
issue of good citizenship. As he said on Mon
day in Rochester:
We may disagree on great many important
matters; We may disagree as TO fiscal policy. as
but the proper solution OF every problem, the
proper decision OF every matter that divides in
telligent men, depends upon the possibility Of
having z rational discussion, and having con-
science and good judgment decide the issue.
THAI is The reason why the man who would
corrupt public opinion is The most dangerous
enemy OF the state We have got TO
aIize that the organized effort to spread CAL
umny the determined effort 10 bring everybody
who is opposed 10 a certain object in the public
contempt. the use OF the epithets OF 'cockroach
and "croton bug" and -nliseTa bic sneak thief,
IS not matter simply TO excite derision ana
scorn; il Is the most dangerous thing we have
in American life II is the worst thing with
which we are faced to-day, because if II is sue
cessfIlI II makes II difficult II not Impossible for
those who are led astray by such methods 10
cultivate that sobriety Of thought which in the
last analysis is the only security Of all our busl
ness. Of all our prosperity, anu even OF govern
ment iJself
The voters Of New York are not blind, and
Mr. Hughes himself is not blind. 10 evils in the
body polite which need correction. The Re
publican candidate for Governor has already
done much toward remedying such evils. He
exposed the lighting trust uncovered the scan
dals in insurance management and draw the
legislation which cheapened the price Of gas,
restored their rights 10 holders OF insurance
policies and drove the gas ana Insurance lobby
out Of Albany. He has pledged himself to deal
with any other abuses on the part Of public
service corporations which come 10 his atten-
ton He sets his record of achievement along
side Nr. Iearst's empty promises. But above
everything else he rightly puts the necessity of
trampling out the fires of envy. rancor and
class hatred kindled by his opponent, and of
vindicating the power of sober and Intelligent
public opinion. seeking only to DO justice in the
old fashioned American way