New-York tribune., 1906-08-22
MR.. JEROmES ISSUE.

Mr.. Jerome is labOring under a singular de-
lusion If he really thinks-as he says he does
that in seeking the Democratic nomination for
Governor he is responding to some mysterious
and sacred call Of duty. He talks oracularly
about obeying q summons too urgent TO be
denied, and about recognizing an obligation
more binding than his prediction promise to
give New York County four years Of brilliant
and fruitful service in the District Attorneyship.
Mr.. Jerome seems to think that ne embodies-
not to say monopolizes- great political idea.
Others have fought, bled and died for that
idea, but nobody else has ever quite succeeded
IN patenting #. Now, the District Attorney for
New York County feels that he has slowed it
safely away as part Of his political baggage.
The principle he stands for is nothing less mo-
mentous than political liberty" AS he him
self put it with engaging frankness in an inter-
view last Sunday:
Presently the time came when 1t began TO
seem clear TO me that the conditions were ap-
preaching the issue on which made my fight
last yeaT-the principle Of political liberty.
felt that having made q fight on that principle
once If the demand should come to me ! could
not refuse 90 go forward 70 another fight for the
same principle, whatever reasons might have
for not desiring TO.
It is evidently Mr.. Jerome's conviction that
liberty lies bleeding somewhere In the gutter,
and that he is the proper man to organize and
head a rescue party. Yet to the ordinary ear
the groans Of the goddess have not been audi
BILE, and ordinary intelligences will be taxed to
find the analogy he cites between last years
and this years canvasses- In 1905 it is true.
Mr.. Jerome stood for reelection on an indie
pendent ticket as protest against "boss" rule
in the two parties and the smothering Of the
real wishes OF the voters through machine made
county conventions. His candidacy was help
full protest against cut and dried methods in
politics and did its part to brush away the
distractions raised In order to minimize the
individual voters power in naming party can
didates Yet for all that Mr. Jerome was hardly
entitled TO be classed as a second and greater
Patrick Henry. Moreover, the conditions on
which he now seeks the nomination for Gov
ernor are as different from those Of his 1905
campaign as they are from those under which
the famous Virginia orator demanded liberty
or death for himself and his fellow burgesses.
AS we see it, the District Attorney has merely
announced his willingness to accept nomina-
ton from the Democratic "bosses" If they think
he can be used TO advantage as the Democratic
candidate He is ready to stand as machine
| made nominee for II chosen at all he must owe
that honor to the Tammany Hall chieftain who
refused to accept him year ago as candl-
date for District Attorney. He will differ in
no respect from other party candidates repre-
senting the ideas and policies Of the Organiza-
tons which selected them and appealing to the
public on specific pledges and past perform
ances He will be tied up in no mysterious and
intimate way with the great principle Of ''pOlt-
ical liberty" and liberty will not perish If the
voters fail to recognize in him its most deserv-
ing and devoted champion.
AS a rump or independent candidate-and
signs point now to his running Independently
or not at au-AIr. Jerome will also represent the
influences which rally behind him and moth
/ 4nop a1s T40 Un0V n
Of the Hearst movement and to hold old line
Democrats to old line doctrines In doing this
he will be doing a useful and creditable work,
but he will not necessarily be laying anew the
foundations Of American political liberty. !"
His usefulness in the coming campaign will
depend, indeed, a great deal on the extent to
which he can divest himself Of the fantastic
notion that the eternal verites are put on trial
the moment he enters political canvass.