Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1916-09-22

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escape general publication during
the past few weeks is that of the
fiat failure of the Hughes campaign
Strictly partisan newspapers of the
reactionary Republican type, keeping
true to form regardless of facts, have
RECALLED the public each day with
sensational headlines and scarcely
less sensational "news' reports
tricked out with rather childish and
inconsistent cartoons, in an heroic
effort to lead the public into think
ing that Mr.. Hughes in his new role
of Campaign Charlie is geing re-
ceived with glad, spontaneous ac-
claim, and that he is lighting the
fires of Jealous approval in all the
rushing rivers of public sentiment.
Truth to tell, it has all been very
much ado about nothing. The swing
around the circle has put the mark
of failure upon the Republican cam
didate. STOPPING from the unyield-
ing dignity which we supposed was
his, to the antics and the sputterings
and the seedlings of the common va
riety of county politicians, he has
grievously disappointed even the Re-
publican stalwarts. This disappoint-
ment is shared in no small degree
even by the Democrats, for under the
more recent leadership of such men
as Woodrow Wilson and William ].
Bryan and men of their tendencies
and qualities, the great body of DEM
ocrats has gone forward. Democracy
has awakened. 1t is no longer mere
ly the voice of protest against wrong
which Republican domination forced
it to be in the past. 1t is becoming
more and more the concrete express
sion of an appreciation of the prjn-
ciples of fundamental democracy
with it's justice. it's freedom, its
equality for men.
The disappointment in Mr.. Hughes
even of the Democrats is real and not
merely partisan. The democracy of
the Democratic party is becoming
more obviously and effectively gen.
uine, it rests more than ever upon
principle. Genuine Democrats have
long held that as soon as the Demo-
cratic party ceased its Quibbling and
hair-splitting with Republicans it
would become triumphant and would
be in fair way to set the nation and
the cause of social and political
righteousness ahead as had never be-
fore been done in the history of the
country.
1t was hoped that at this juncture
the Republicans would nominate a
man who would at least talk poll
tics" from the standpoint Of prin-
ciple. 1t was hoped that they had
done this when Mr.. Hughes was
chosen. AS a campaigner Mr.. Hughes
has disappointed the Republicans
generally. AS an advocate of any.
thing in particular, as a supposed
worthy foeman in tourney over pc.
litical and economic issues on prin.
ciple, Mr.. Hughes has disappointed
the Democrats. The disappointment
of the latter is genuine, with nothing
Interior or sinister about 1t. Mr.
Hughes is upright, as he sees up
rightness; he is scholarly and able
But the world is full of men who are
merely upright and scholarly and
able. All that is taken for granted
the presidency of the United States
Of any man who Is candidate fol
But as great national leader, Mr.
Hughes is either lacking in vision
and profundity or he is being most
effectively repressed by the little
inner circle in the Republican party
which made him the party's candi-
date. He merely barks through his
muzzle, alike harmless and ineffect-
i've for good.
Wneu MT. I1uSuco, lTOA "nVA lH<
country had heard nothing during
six years of most consequential de-
velopments, was taken from the SUI
preme bench to be the Republican
candidate at time so critical both
to the country and to the Republican
party, 1t was assumed that those who
practically forced his nomination
knew what they were doing. 1t was
a presumptious thing that they did.
But they either did not know. or
with that arrogance which has come
to be a part of latter-day Republican
ism they did not care. AS president
he would suit them and that was all
that was necessary.
Going before the country handi-
capped with the endorsement of a
h4 hoc ,Ntt