New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-18
TO DISCUSS ISSUES ONLY
HiIIes Says Attack on Roosevelt
Has No Political Importance.
SEES TREND TOWARD TAFT
Hundreds of Republicans Flock.
ing Back to Old Party, Ma
tional Chairman Reports.

Chairman Hilles Of the Republican Ma
tlonaI Committee said yesterday he WAS
! glad to find the opinion so generally ex-
pressed In the newspapers Of the country.
Following the attempt to assasstnate
Coienel Roosevelt, that the time had come
when the Presidential campaign should
Dc maze solely on party principles and
not on personalities The Republican Ma
uonal Committee has always sought to
follow this rule" he said.
Chairman Hilles said that the attack
upon colonel Roosevelt, arousing. as IL
oid' natural wave of sympathy and SEN
! ument, In which President Taft and the
committee freely shared, should not and
could not be considered Of political I'M
portancs. He added
,o ms attack seems to have been no dIf-
leTent from other fanatical assaults upon
puoHc men by those influenced by doc
trines that result in poisoning the public
'hlhd ana leading the unthinking ard in
experienced to deeds OF violence. We
should be very thankful, however that so
far this country mas been afflicted with a
inuch smaller element OF this sort than
almost any other nation in the world. and
/ nope we will continue to maintain this
distinction.
chairman Hilles went on to say that
the Republican campaign, which. in COM
mon with all other campaigns, had been
almost at standstil for the last two
days, had again attained top speed and
would continue at that rate until Elec-
ton Day.
The strong trend toward the Republi-
can ticket is everywhere apparent" he
added. Those who are ciosely associated
with the campaign have been aware Of
TINS great change for several weeks, hav-
Ing been informed OF It by official observ-
ers' individual correspondents and through
various other channels"
Pointing out the many instances where
former advocates OF Colonel Roosevelt
have come out for President Taft, Chair
man Hilles added:
The weakening Of the third term rnovs-
ment does not mean merely that the Re-
publican party has regained he support
OF hundreds OF those VINO followed Colonel
Roosevelt earlier in the campaign. Il has
tne more significant and vital meaning
that Republicans who earlier in the cam
paign determined 10 vote for Governor
wilson 10 insure the defeat Of Colonel
roosevelt are also returning to their old
allegiance. Now that that seems 10 have
been accomplished so far in advance OF
Election Day they are rallying TO the
Republican standard. This seems to tudi-
cate that the Democratic ticket will be
fortunate X IL polls as large a vote as It's
former candidates for the Presidency and
vice. Presidency did, and seems unmis-
takably TO insure Republican success.
Speaking Of the character of the cam
paiGn from now on Chairman Hilles said:
The Republican managers have no quar-
y q Wit na Fnn lysa
conscientious criticism of the Republican
party, It's principles and its candidates
and We feel certain that the opposing
managers expect and respect counter-crtt-
lcism In kind. That is true campaigning
That is what the real American voter
solicitous only for the future Of the coun.
try instead OF for the aspirations of any
OF the three candidates for the Presi-
dency, most greatly needs AMI hopes for
He wants a straightforward discussion
OF the real issues Of the campaign, SO that
he may know how 10 cast hts vote
The Republican National Committee in
tends TO conftne Itself 10 this kind Of a
campaign. II will deal solely with prin-
ciples, and will not listen 10 those sug-
gesting or demanding that the campaign
be conducted upon personalities. This ele-
ment, We feel certain, is a minority not
at all interested In the welfare OF the
country; and desiring only to see a
We feel that President Taft and his
administration, the Republican party and
its principles and the Chicago conven-
ton and its platform are thoroughly capa-
BILE OF withstanding honest criticism. I'VE
are concentrating all our energies 10
pointing out what We believe TO be the
basic and economic weaknesses OF the
principles OF the Democratic and Progress
slve parties. We know that the opposing
ma nagers Will retaliate, and we Will wei
come their retaliation. so long as II is
confined 10 legitimate criticism.