Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-05-24

speaking generally Of a caucus selection,
that it seemed likely that |
Col. du POnt would he the choice; and it .
has been assumed that Alice and lay !
ton are urging action with the expecta- I
tion of that result But to those who 4
are not naturally credulous and who I
have learned the lesson taught by the I
of the last Is years much Z
remains TO be done ere there can be any
assurance that this is not another gold /
brick that is being handed out But |
assuming that in perfect good faith there |
rs purpose TO elect Col du Pont, let us
see whether that gentleman can afford !
to accept the honor
When the name Of Col. Henry A.
du POnt was FIRST mentioned as a candi-
date for United States Senator there
was something in the honor to attract
any man. He had made no political
enemies, was identified with no faction.
but was esteemed by all, and especially
by his fellow Republicans, who knew
that he had been a generous contributor
20 party expenses and had championed
Republican doctrine increasingly. The
state had been wrested from the Demo
Gratis, and then stretched away before
the eye of fancy many years Of Republi-
can supremacy characterized by good
government and a clean administration
Of affairs. This was the vision which
Col du Pont beheld that day when a
majority Of the Republican caucus
agreed to support him as a compromise
candidate for Senator He was then in
the prime Of his manhood when honors
mean most, and there was promise
that he might round out his career full Of
honors and with an enviable record TO
leave behind
But does he want an election now
VIII il mean anything to him save ex-
pense and annoyance Had he been
elected then he would have taken the
honor without political enemies and
with no obligations save such as we're
imposed by duty But an election now
would mean an obligation TO John
Edward Addicks, the man who has de-
ieated and thwarted Col du Pont all OF
these years For there is no CLOSING
over the fact that stands out boldly:
That If Col du Pont or any other man Is
elected now, his election will be a gift
from John Edward Addicl1s For the
man from Claymont still controls enough
men to prevent an election, and as the
game has been played from the be-
ginning he is entitled to hold those men
II he chooses to do it. The disposition
OF Alice doesn't count, for his paticipa-
tion IN the harmony movement dates
from the moment when Addicks de-
cIded to throw his strength towards the
election Of a Senator
So will Col du Pont consent to take
an election at the hands of Addicks
Can he afford IL One cannot accept
such honors without assuming obliga-
tions. An election by the people de-
mands recognition in the form Of great
jealousy for their interests; to be made
United States Senator by the act of an
individual certainly demands some recog-
milton, Naturally we shall hear that
their perfect work but everybody is
fully aware that no Senator can be
elected by this Legislature unless Mr.
Addicks gives the word to his supporters
in that body: and, therefore II he him
self Is not elected, then he will virtually
name the man. Presuming that his
choice is Col du Pont, can Col. du Pont
accept
There was a time when Col. du Pont
would not have accepted. At almost
any time during the years OF strife he
might have gone TO the Senate BY com
promise making Addicks his colleague.
lie has repudiated that suggestion re-
peatedly. He refused an election with
Alice, and Dr. Ball, being less sensitive.
received the doubtful honor. Then
will lac accept now with Alice for his
colleague and with Addicks for his
sponsor
Now turn to the other side Of the pic
ture What is Mr.. Addicks' motive in
this ostensible surrender Why is II
that he advises his supporters TO agree TO
be bound by a caucus, stating al the
same time that he presumes that Col
du Pont will be elected His love of
party success Does anybody who
knows Addicks credit that motive
Has pressure from Washington accom-
plished the result In face Of Addicks'
whole career the suggestion Is laughable
and men will hardly repeat il with
straight faces Then what Is the motive?
The novice can read it-Mr. Addicks
expects to succeed j. Frank Alice in the
United States Senate, and, depend upon
It, he hasn't made this move without
what he believes % be adequate as
surance that he will be regarded as in
the line Of succession and entitled to the
support Of New Castle county at the next
session Of the Legislature
II is inconceivable that Col. du Pont
has given any such assurance, but the
only solution that seems consistent
with the trend of events is that some
body has presumed to give that arssur-
ance for him And right here the ques-
tion arises of whether there are persons
who are contemplating the possibility of
Col, do Poni s refusal, in which event the
honor might fall upon other shoulders.
But let ms suppose. in order 20 pursue
this search for motives further that no
assurances have been given Mr. Adj
dicks that nobody has promised him
anything IN return for his generous sup
port what Is he entitled to expect
When a man who aspires 10 be Senator
elects his rival what consideration Is he
entitled 10 when another vacancy
occurs Let us assume that Mr. Adj
dicks has urged his followers to 90 into
q caucus and abide by Il with the inten-
tion Of electing Col du Pont. and Il re-
suits in that way, win Col du Pont be
under no obligation 70 assist Addioks
when he demands an election as Allees
successor Suppose Addicks should
60 70 Dover next winter with
majority Of the Republican members as
his supporters, would Col du Pont ad-
wise his men 10 stay out Of caucus
Would he not, rather, be obliged 10 ask
his own followers TO vote for Addieks ?