The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1916-05-04

presidency upon the shoulders Of |
man who is living on borrowed time.
We do not know, indeed we doubt, tina
he is as keen and shrewd in mind a
Mr. Wilson, but We think he is NOR,
dependable. and somehow or other W,
feel that he more OF a mana reg
ular feller," as they say on Cherry
Hill, a. contrasted--well, with what
ever ones opinion happens to be.
So we, the people, say or think.
Do you doubt it? Ask the man in
the street, on the sidewalk, in the car
on the subway, in the Pullman, on the
jitney, in the vestibule after service
on the golf links before or after
downtown or uptown, in or out OF
clubs not dominated by masters OF
finance, in Hartford, Springfield or
PeaCham, in wealthwallowing Pitts
burgh even, or Columbus, or on the
farms Of Iowa, in Oregon or Washing
ton, anywhere and everywhere, uphill
and down dale, in this broad land, ask
yourself, your wife, your plethoric
uncle, your spinster aunt-and what
do you find?
Some who distrust the supporters
of Root; many who are angry at
Roosevelt; not a few, inclusive Of
Democrats, who are sick Of Wilson;
none whose countenance fails to
brighten at the mention of Hughes.
But-"will he take il ?"
Ay, there's the rub. God save the
Court. implores Mr.. Choate 1t is
too late for him TO speak, shouts the
World. We cannot beat a man with
no man, say the mighty leaders.
Where would we be at without an un-
derstanding queries Wall Street.
patiently but persistent
~, we have to ask, Will he, despite
the fact that many think it might be
safer to say Would he? We have al
ready recorded faithfully the judg-
ment Of ourselves, the people, respect
ing the mutual obligations of citizen
and State. Now let US examine more
closely the more specific circumstan-
tial evidence.
Be it observed then, at the outset,
that Mr.. Hughes has never directly
sought, or even been an inferential
candidate for, public office. When, in
1906, Immediately following the insur-
ance investigation, he was first prom
inently mentioned" for governor, the
politicians became as
nervous and excited" as all of US who
advocated preparedness appeared to
the President year or so ago. Was
he a candidate or was he not? Would
he accept or would he not? Even then
as now. On Aug. % he sailed for
Europe, remarking pleasantly to the
reporters on the steamer that he had
no ambitions beyond what the practice
If law could afford him. On Sept. 26I
ne was nominated, accepted, and was
he only candidate on the Republican
ticket who won at the polls. There
vas much opposition to his renomina
ion in 1908 because of his veto of the
popular two-cent fare bill and of his
opposition to raeetrack gambling.
gain he did not turn a hand, needless
If the consequences, but received S27
,otes out of 1907 votes and we re-
elected.
II do not seek Office" he had said
n 1907. "To me public office means a
BURDEN of responsibility burden of
ncessant toll at times almost intoler-
lble-which under honorable condi
ions and at the command Of the
,eople it may be duty, and even a
pleasure, to assume, but it is far from
icing an object of ambition. | have
lot sought, nor shall seek, directly
If indirectly, to influence the selection
n the vote Of any delegate to any
That was Mr.. Hughes's position
hen. 1t is his position now. Il am
ot a candidate, actively or tacitly,'
e wrote to Mr.. Henry Wood, "and, in |
lew Of my judicial Office, ! do not feet
hat have any right to take part in
ny political discussion" In word
and this, we are fully convinced.
lay be taken as fact If not as law and
old-fashioned man holds
rmly to the old-fashioned idea that
he responsibilities of the Presidency
re so great that il ought not TO be
ought and must not be declined.
Such Is our Interpretation Of the
obcr thought and ardent wish Of the
american people. Never since this
.epublic demanded that George Wash
lgton become its first President has
leIc appeared so striking an instance
the Office seeking the man. Never
as been a call so peremptory, never
y.,.,s...a,,,l,s sx,raitfno, fnrro G1 gertaif