The sun., 1916-11-10
This Is the United states, Not
Mexico.

correction Of clerical errors of count,
for the rejection of illegal ballots. for
the exact and impartial ascertain
ment of the result.
In a Federal election the party In
power in the Federal Government md
the party In opposition to the party
In power stand on absolutely equal
terms before this tribunal of ascer-
tainment. The law makes no distinc-
ton between the candidate in office
seeking reelection and the candidate
not In Office seeking election.
The use of the machinery of cleo.
ton for partisan advantage, or the
attempted Interference with 1t for the
advantage Of the candidate In power,
is the greatest crime that can he com.
mitted against the American system
of self-goyernment. II Is an outrage
not to he measured by the mere ex-
tent Of the interference or attempted
Interference. 1t is the sinister omen
Of Mexican rather than American
methods Of attaining to executive
Office, or OF holding executive Office
when already in possession.
The spirit Of our people, irrespec-
tive Of individual preferences and
hopes. has been admirable during the
many hours of doubt and Of nuctuat.
ing probabilities since the polls closed
on Tuesday night. The hopes have
been as ardent ns the dislppointments
have been acute. but throughout the
long strain Of uncertainty there has
not been in the temper of the people
the slightest sign "f any disposition
'cther than Ia await and accent the
result, when numerically reached. no
matter which candidate for Presiden,
is found tn have the majority of o66
electoral votes. Fair play and ron
gratulations to the winner Is the pro-
gramme generally acknowledged.
This, we say, is the United States
and not Mexico.
Except In some of the pcrfervld hui.
letlns emanating from Mr.. McCog.
MICK's headquarters. there has not
been, so far rs We are aware. the re-
hottest intimntion that one party or
the other was plotting fraud or con-
spring to defeat its antagonist by
cOrruptly tampering with the electoral
machinery. The process of ascertain
ment has been and is n purely arith.
nnnftanI nrn.nlp ~, IL .,.t. a. -. +
n republic that is the United States.
not Mexico. THE SuN has Il lively
recollection of the unrpasoning emo.
lions excited, and the passionate will
ingness on the part of many strong
partisans to win the game by any
available means. which characterized
even the curlier phases Of the elec.
tornl controversy of 1876. We hope
to good heaven that the experience
may never be repeated in this repub.
lie. The prevailing sentiment was
well expressed by the World yester.
day when 1t said: There must he
no stain on the Presidency of the
United States, whether the President
be WOODROW WILSON or CHARLES +.
HUGHEs."
For this reason we trust 1t Is not
true. as reported in the news columns
OF the World and other newspapers,
that Attorney-General GREGORY has
been in repeated and protracted con.
ference at Democratic headquarters
with the partisan managers of Mr..
WILSON'S campaign and the counsel
employed by them to handle any legal
business that may grow out of the
count. We hope it is not true. AS
reported In the Washington DIES
patches Of yesterday, that Attorney.
General GREGoRY's participation In
the councils of a wholly unofficial
campaign committee with n view to
shaping its partisan operations dur
ing the count was Immediately fol.
lowed by the despatch to Minnesota
and New Mexico Of agents of the De-
partment of Justice. These nre Gov
eminent officers whose duty Is to the
WuOiC ptOIlcs ~ Is uoI tIltlT business
to supervise or In any way influence
the local process Of ascertnining the
result In any State, This Is the
United States, not Mexico.
As a private citizen and a Demo-
crat and Il supporter Of Mr.. WILSON
for reelection Mr.. GREGORY has an I'M
questioned right to frequent Demo.
cratic headquarters and TO enjoy, to
any extent that his constitution will
stand, the society Of Mr.. VANCE Nc
CoRMIcK and his lawyers. But ns a
Federal officer and the head of the
Department Of Justice he has no
right to turn the powers and prestige
and the services of his Federal subor-
dinates to n sided activities In the