Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1910-01-14
WHAT KIND or A CAMPAIGN.

WHAT KIND OF A CAMPAIGN.
The kind of campaign that Is 10
he conducted in North Dakota TINS
wear means much as indicating the
future of the republican party. II
candidates of this or that 1actlon
are to he reviled, abused and MADE
the objects of bitter and unjust at
tack for the sake of political advan'
<ape. then In a few years we snail
have no parties worth the name, but
aegregations of political factions
ready always to fly at each otherss
throat. If, on the contrary we have
a campaign that snail be clean' de-
cent, with regard for the FEELINGS
and decencies of men, saying MOTH
when the interests of the public de-
mand it. then we shall have some
assurance of a political party worth
the name.
1t is largely up to the newspapers
of this state to say how the cam
paign shall be conducted. The
newspaper is the principal medium
Of publicity. 1t is a greater medium
than the platform address, for the
aggregate of the newspapers reaches
the aggregate of the people. II the
newspapers refuse to print indecent,
unfair and bitter attacks on candi-
dates, it will have the effect Of maxi
ing the campaign clean and decent.
II they consent to the publication OF
bitter and unfair attacks. then we
shall have a campaign that will de-
generate into a mere revel Of mud
singing and abuse.
The Grand Forks Times has some
pertinent remarks on this subject,
for which it is to be commended.
The Times in a recent editorial
said
Nineteen hundred and ten is po-
litical year In North Dakota, and
while the Times has so far refrained
from discussion Of politics and polir
ticians, it recognizes the fact that
during the next few months the
people OF the state will be interest
ed in party issues and nominations.
North Dakota has a primary cleo
ton law for the purpose of select
ing candidates for the various state
and county offices as we'll as candi-
dates for members of the United
States senate, and both the letter
and the spirit of the law is that
those who aspire to positions on the
party ticket shall submit themselves
to the party voters and after having
had their claims passed upon, sub
nit willingly and enthusiastically to
the majority rule. Unfortunately in
the past the spirit of the law has
been violated and factions have de-
Heloped in the majority party. The
Times believes that the occasion is
at hand when the republican party
should rise above personal prefer
ences and factional choices and unite
upon a common ground for the
nomination and election of repub-
lican ticket.
1t must be recognized by all re-
publicans that party supremacy Is
paramount to factional victory. AS
republicans we can not shut our eyes
to the results of differences within
the party in the state. Let us not
deceive ourselves longer. After the
primaries We must meet the common
enemy in the November election.
The things said and done in the heat
and passion of the primary have
their effect in the election so far as
they are done within the majority
party. 1t does seem that all repub'
Ncans can unite in the conduct of a
personal abuse and vituperation and
SO conducted that when the ticket
is selected every one can support it
with honor to himself and with en-
thusiasm for the party. Would such
q course with republican victory not
be more gratifying to the party than
a different one with party defeat?
Would that not be carrying both the
letter and the spirit of the primary
election Law?
The primary campaign can be con.
Quoted in such a manner that this
result will follow. Let every repub-
aicap who desires to become a can
didate announce himself as a re-
publican and not rs belonging to
any faction of the party. Let the
voters insist upon each one conduct.
ing his campaign in a clean and
honorable manner. Let them give
the candidates to understand that
.mud-slineing and abuse will be re-
scented. and it will be found that the