New-York tribune., 1908-10-05
ORGANIZED SUPPORT NEEDED.

Thus far In the campaign that better sehtl-
ment which was so urgent and mfnalorE ie
garding Governor Hughess renominaIloh Ha9
not shown enough activity The Independents
Democrats and Republicans VINO, oy nlaIiIeS'-
ing the intensity of their feeling regarulhS 'he
Hughes ISSUE forced his nomination from
marty many of whose more active mehloei9
hestated as to its wisdom, will not nave uone
their full duty if they rest content WIN lhelr
achievement and leave it TO the Governor 10
win his own election. They have gained
harren victory If they have merely proved that
the RenubIican party cannot ignore such merits
as the Governor possesses. The issue which
claims their enthusiastic adherence is the same
before the people to-day that it was before the
delegates to the convention. Is Governor
Hughes to be continued in office? Are his prin-
cfples and policies to win? Or is the state TO
react TO a condition of bossism and license for
the freebooting public service SPECTATORS or
Indifferent administration and secret fayorltlSm
TO personal interests? 1t is a big enough issue
to call for the expenditure of a large measure
of moral earnestness all through the campaign,
right up to the day the victory is won, and it
will not be accepted as evidence of better clti-
zenship and an alert civic conscience to have
realized no matter how keeny, the moral ques-
ton involved in Mr.. Hughess fate before the
convention and then to forget all about it when
his fate before the electorate is being decided.
Macaulay remarked cyncally, aprOpos of Byron,
upon the infrequency with which the British
sense of proprety aroused and upon the
general sense of self-approval derived from the
capacity TO be occasionally shocked. Now, the
occasional manifestation OF political virtue will
not answer if we are TO make a real stride for
ward in political morality in this state. II we
are going 70 do this. there has got TO be the
bor DOmi-
nate the Governor. and. there was earlier
still TO put through his various reforms. There
must be the same realization of what is at
stake and the same intensity of feeling.
And that Is what Mr.. Hughes stands FORA
real stride forward i'll political morality in
this state He represents the best and most
efficient standard of administration. of unseltfsh
devotion to the people, of zeal to rid public life
Of the taint of bossism and the use Of public
office for selfish advantage. The state has
made the stride forward under Mr. Hughes. Is
the step TO be permanent. or is the state to go
back? Are we going to replace the Hughes
standard at Albany by the Tammany Hall stand
ard? Are Murphy and Corners going TO open
shop there and traffic in legislative and admin
istrative favors? Are the elected officials going
10 serve the people alone or the people and
Thomas F. Ryan? That is the issue. and it IS
a great issue. great enough to enlist the active
sympathy Of every man who has political
conscience 1t will not do 10 let Mr. Hughes
fight the battle alone, fine and successful fighter
as he is. 1t is going to be hard struggle, and
he needs energetic support. He needs organized
support of the same kind that carried his racing
reforms TO victory.
The independents of all kinds who are in
terested in the success of Mr.. Hughes can do
something more than Sympathize with his cause
and vote for him at the polls They can or
ganize as they have organized in civic move
ments of Importance that transcended party
lines They can contribute and raise funds
toward his election-the regular parties are
having their troubles this year properly to
finance the campaign. There should be a citi-
Zens' movement to elect the Governor. He is
the peoples candidate. chosen in Difference TO
popular opinion, and his election is in the
peoples hands. We believe there is the same
keen realization to-day that there was before
the Republican convention of the important
moral issues embodied in the Governors can
didacy and the same public resolution TO make
his principles triumphant. Public feeling is
silent to-day. That is the difference. but it is
an important difference. 1t is not most effective
when it Is silent. If it had remained silent be-
fore the convention the outcome there might
have been different. It is time for the citizen
shin of the state TO rouse itself and show that
this is not. as Mr.. Chanler is trying to make it.
simply a straght-out campaign between the
Republican party and the Democratic party
Mr.. Hughes has put the people above party. \
turn about is fair play. And It should be made
openly sparng publicity, for there is con-
tagiOn in moral movements.