Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-09-22
A Man Of Unbendins Reetitude

(New York Evening Post Ind. Dem.)
Mr.. Hughes's speech at Nashville may
we'll prove to be the turning point Of his
campaign. By this we do not mean that
it will determine, or even that it will d.
rectly 60 far towards determining, the
result Of the election. Voters will divide
on many issues, more or less definite;
they will be influenced by many impulses
of sentiment or of habit, upon which Mr..
Hughess declaration on the question OF
the snap-judgment "eight-hour" legisla-
ton will have little influence, either IA
vorable or unfavorable. But there is one
issue upon which the conduct of the Re-
publican candidate in the presence Of his
Nashville audience has decisive bear
ing. That issue is the personality Of the
candidate himself. 1t was upon that
issue, be it remembered. and upon that
issue alone, that he was nominated; it
was not owing to his special views on any
particular question, but to his character
and record as a public servant deserving
of the highest trust, that he was pre-
ferred above all other aspirants by the
unmistakable voice Of the party. And It
has been an almost incredible misfortune
to him that up to yesterday this element
in his candidacy, supposed to be far and
away it's greatest asset, had simply not
entered at all as factor in his campaign.
Not only had it not entered as a positive
factor, but his standing was being I'M
dermined by what appeared to be the
painful absence of it. People were asking
every day, What has become of the
Hughes we knew?
Well, the Hughes we knew Is the
Hughes who spoke his mind at Nashville
last night. The personal impression he
made by his general bearing in the face
of hostile audience, the personal tri-
umph he won by his firm tact and quiet
courage, were but small part Of what
he accomplished. 1t is his clean-cut dec
laration on the recent surrender Of the
Government at Washington to labor
union threats that will serve as the un-
questionable reminder Of what the coun-
try has always l.lown Hughes to be-
There was in It neither buster nor fine
language: there was in it simply that
note Of unbending rectitude which has
been the distinguishing mark of his entire
career in public office. II am opposed
he declared, Ito being dictated to, either
in the executive department or in Con-
gress, by any power on earth before the
facts are known and in the. absence Of
the facts Let the Brotherhoods rage,
if they WILL let demagogues rant, and
spineless onlookers shake their heads;
Mr. Hughes plants himself on the Arm
rock of principle, and takes the conse-
quences, be they what they may. What
he says to-day is no more than what he
did when, as Governor, he vetoed the
two-cent fare bill. And the American
people can count on his acting with the
same unfaltering rectitude in any situa.
ton in which he may be placed If in
vested with the authority Of the Presiden-
cy. Neither the power of wealth nor the
pressure of the populace nor labor-union
threats will swerve him from following
the dictates Of his clear convictions.
Only yesterday we spoke of the panied
disappointment with which Mr.. Hughes's
friends and admirers have been reading
his campaign speeches. It would be alb
surd to contend that this feeling will at
once disappear. in consequence Of his ut
terance Of last night. But on the other
hand 1t is only just to say that the Nash
vile speech, coupled with his uncom-
promising refusal to soothe German-Am-
erican susceptibilities at st. LOUIS. muss
compel a revision of judgment. His
campaign has not been an impressive one:
it has fallen far short of what it might
have been. But in the light of what Mr..
Hughes has now done, both in relation to
the labor vote and to the German-Amer-
lean vote, the most damaging criticism
upon his campaign falls to the ground
completely. His bearing in regard to the
subject Of Germany has been widely as
cribed to fear Of the German-Americans
or desire to retain their favor. We could
wish that It had been far other than It
has been: We could wish that, even a&