New-York tribune., 1916-07-31
DEFENCE OF A YELLED PROPHET
A Call to "Come Out True and Strong
for MIR. Hughes.
To The Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: must confess that I considered The
Tribune's attitude toward Mr.. Hughes both
before and after his nomination as at least
unjust or unfair. Even the ordinary man
on the street knew that it was utterly i'm
possible for Judge Hughes TO speak oa,
while on the Supreme Bench. Until the de.
iberate, unmpassioned voice Of the vat
majority Of his free countrymen expressed
at Chicago called him to a greater service
he could not have abandoned the Supreme
Bench and consistently entered the contest
for the nomination. On May 6, in Lex
ington, KY, told a friend the ticket would
oe Hughes and Fairbanks, and my opinion
was founded upon the conviction that Hughes
had a greater and more widely distributed
support than any other candidate. FAR
banks, | believed, would be nominated -
carry Indiana as usual with him. Not oncs
did | consider the so-called "hyphen" yota
Hughes had made strong, brave, successful
administrator for the greatest state in the
Union, with its ten millions of people. |
thought a man who had handled ten talents
so successfully was able to handle hun
dred Moreover as all OF US wanted 20 unite
the factions in the Republican party, an
absolutely necessary prerequisite 70 a hope
full campaign, | considered Mr.. Hughes far
and away the best man to accomplish TINS
vital object.
would have been delighted TO vote for
Colonel Roosevelt, greatly delighted as |
regard him, considered in all respects, as
second to none of our Presidents. The rec
ord of his achievements in and out OF Office
will form one of the most attractive pages
in American history. The extent 20 which
his popular speeches and more formal ad-
dresses during the last fifteen years have
awakened the public conscience and filled
the great multitude with encouragement and
hope is without parallel in the life o.
statesman. But knew thousands of former
Republicans would not support him
Now a word about the "hypher' vote.
President Wilson himself says that the OBJ
jectionable hyphen vote (and he means Ger
man, because after his recent appointment OF
Jewish h-Amercans TO conspicuous places IL IS
impossible 10 suppose he has objections 20
any other) is only small part OF the whole.
Why, then, should the large majority or any
party be condemned or insulted because
small minority misrepresents them? May as
well condemn the eleven disciples who re-
NAMED faithful because one became
traitor. But is il not a fact that many Ger
man-Amercans became hostile 20 Mr wilson
long before the last Lustania note because
of the shipment Of munitions 20 the Allies
They could not have become offended a'
his various "pussyfoot' notes 20 Germany
tor they became the laughing stock OF me
world. Possibly anything which awakens
laughter may subsequently become the oo-
ject Of contempt, never anger. Is Il not sis1
beyond all doubt that the hyphens woula
have voted for any candidate the Repuon,, i
cans may have nominated? Even I. K wou''
have received many such votes.
Without wishing to appear as an advoes"
for The Tribune. ! venture 20 say tnat 10
pre-nomination editorials, which The Nn.
waukee Journal" quotes. we've intended 20
bring about the nomination of T. R., ana ,
thought some of them lacked the poise sn'
judicial spirit that should inspire the eI'. 4
torials of truly great leader OF ,housns
such as | consider The Tribune dlineu'-
thing to do under great and increasing
stress and excitement Our own mo-
widely circulated Kentucky daily, Inc
Louisville Herald" was also fierce advO.'.e
of the nomination of T. -, and was leo m ~
unbecomng indscretions. such as cas-
Mr. Hughes the "Veiled Prophet e"1 -
cause he wisely refraned from dong ~ns
every partisan Democrat in America nopes
he would do, so that he might be hope'eS'I
disqualified for nomination. But as soon I"
Hughes was nominated. the Herald ur
furled its flag with Hughes and FairDSnhs
in conspicuous letters on its folds, ana Wis
its more than $4,000 subscribers VIII douo..
less be the most potent factor IN earryn.
Kentucky for the Republican ticket IN w
vember We hope to see The Tribune c0n|'
out true and strong for the honor, o'ga'1
and welfare of America.
SAMUEL d. PINKERTON't
Versailles, Ky, July 20, 1916.