New-York tribune., 1906-09-21
MACK To THE RESCUE.

/ After scanning the horizon for many anguished
| DAYS the Democratic emblem savers have now
found encoura agement and promise OF deliver
ance In a totally unexpected quarter. In their
plans for checking the Hearst raid they counted
on assistance, first Of all. from the rural Demo
Gratis. strong In their primitive Jeffersonianism
and untainted with the heresies of municipal
ownership and state socialism They had hopes
OF succor from the old Hill leaders and work
ers IN upstate centres like Syracuse. Rochester
Troy. Utica and Albany. In New York and
Brooklyn they bad some expectation of coerc-
| Ing the Democratic bosses or persuading them
that their personal interests Were 10 be served
better by fighting Hearst than by dickering
with him. But one and all they were convinced
that no good thing could come out of Buffalo.
That city, from their point of view. had suf-
| fered violent attack Of dementia. 1t had been
the hOtbed OF Hearstism. and both it's Demo
cratic leaders and voters seemed bent on nomi-
mating Hearst no matter AT what sacrifice OF
party dignity. regularity or principle Buffalo,
il appeared. was beyond shame and beyond re-
demptOn.
But suddenly. when all was blacklist. when
the counties forgot their duty. when Syracuse
Rochester and the other towns suked or turned
70 false idols, when Murphy won in this city in
spite OF his openly expressed Hearst sympa-
thies and McCarren left standing as the
only firm and incorrupuble pillar OF JeffersOni-
enism. a great light broke from the direction of
Buffalo. A new savior OF the party appeared
in the person Of the Hon. Norman E. Mack.
Democratic National Committeeman and for
many months past one OF Hearst's noisiest and
most enthusiastic supporters. Mr. Mack, hav-
ing campaigned busily for Hearst and having
helped TO carry the Erie County primaries for
him. has nOw discovered that his activities were
all a mistake and that Hearsts nomination
would be a fatal blunder. Mr.. Macks con-
science has been touched by scruples which do
honor TO his sense OF responsibility 10 the party.
He has recalled the fact that as national COM
mitteeman he is the official guardian of the
ganization in this state and accountable for its
conduct 10 the national party. He must be cir
cumspect in walk and thought. therefore, and
IL 81 becomes him IN his representative role to
approve the nomination Of a candidate for Gov
ernor who has already had himself inconsid-
erately nominated for that office by another
party. Mr.. Mack evidently regards the offer
OF support made 10 Mr.. Hearst by an outside
organization as an indignity put on the Demo
cratic party which must be swiftly and crush
ingly resented If Democratic prestige and self
respect are 10 be maintained. no candidate seek
ing or accepting outside aid can he tolerated in
a Democratic convention.
This is rather erratic Democratic doctrine, for
IL CONNECTS Win established DemOcfauc prac-
tee. Horace Greeley was nominated for the
Presidency in 1872 by a Democratic National
Convention after he had been nominated by
the liberal Republicans. IN 1900 Mr. Bryan
was nominated for President by the Populist
National Convention a month or two before
the Democratic convention met at Kansas City
But the Democratic delegates did not think
their honor impugned or their self-respect chal
lenged because an already mortgaged candidate
asked for their support In fact the already
mortgaged candidate tried TO force his POpu-
LET running mate, Mr.. Towne, on the Demo
cratic ticket. and almost succeeded in securing
duplicate Endorsement" But however fan
tastic Mr.. Mack's late-born scruples may be-
they have put a new face an almost hope
less situation With the national committee
mans aid something may yet he saved at
Buffalo. Mr.. Mack has no quarrel with Mr.
Hearsts platform and would not be disposed
under other circumstances 20 question his right
70 leadership. But etiquette must be observed
II the heavens fall, and no Democrat can be
recognized as a Democrat who will not promise
to wear the JeffersOnian label and forswear all
Others. With Mr. Macks assistance the Buff
falo convention may at least vindicate the grand
old Democratic maxim: LET me wear the party
emblem, and 7 care not who gets the neces-
"sary votes