New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-30
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: If I have heard il once / have heard
it twenty times-"Hughes ought not TO talk
about the Germans. He needs all the votes
he can get. There are many German-Ameri-
cans who are disguised with President Will
son for his notes to Germany, his refusal to
put an embargo on munitions, to break the
British blockade. Their votes are as good
as any votes. Let them vote for Hughes.
We can trust him to act right, once ne is
elected"
Let US examine the implications Of this
philosophy. It means that if Germany is
criticised at all England must be equally
criticised. Neutrality and politics demand
that there be no gradations in internstonaI
crime. If the Lusitania is mentioned, VIII
son must be blamed for it more than the
Kaiser, for thereby fewer Republican votes
will be angered. 1t means that nothing IS
to be said Of the fercely organized, disloyai'
alien-group sentiment in our country, which
has attempted to stihe discussion tlackmail
oficeseekers and prevent political action IN
our defence 1t means that nothing is TO De
said of the declarations OF the herman
American politicians that no one VINO tooh
the Roosevelt attitude could be nomihateA
and elected. 1t means TO leave Europe aiohe
as much as possible, and talk ABOUT MEXICO
as much as possible; Mexico is small ana
there is no Mexican vote in our country. IL
means that after two years Of national con-
fusion of thought and action We cannot nave
free discussion. We cannot have 1t because
we are afraid of alien-group sentiment we
cannot have it because the party tickets
esneciallv the state and county tickets, must
be elected.
The insistence that in this crisis the local
tickets are more important than free debate
is the arrogant and yet natural climax OF
the demands of our vested political interests.
The long ballot and the separation of powers
have made of our parties, in President HAD
ley's phrase, great brokerages, not OF ideas
but Of Offices. A long party ticket must be
nominated A large number Of candidates
are eager for election. In order to get any
order out of government all must be elected.
The tremendous party task has made the
party fearful as a March hare. The leaders
must defer TO the least courageous man on
the ticket. The party courage and intelIl-
gence are measured by the courage and in
teIligence of the candidate on the margin OF
production of courage and intelligence. The
theory meets the approval Of more than the
professional politician. A professional man
of the highest standing, with no political
connections, asserted to me that candidate
for the United States Senate had no right to
declare himself on the German issue. He
must think Of the rest of the ticket.
Perhaps the pet fear Of the politician is the
fear Of the alien group. Politicians do not
fear immigrants from England and Scotland
They have no voting group consciousness.
The pettiest Congressman can twist the
Lions tail. Consequently we have never been
in danger OF British aggression. But they
have long feared the Irish and German vote,
and have played for them. We have laughed
at much of their angling in the past. But it
is no laughing matte TO have our politi
clans in abject terror OF an alien-minded
vote, a terror distorting thought and action
both.
They have been in such terror for two
years past Group aliensm is the magnet
that has controlled or Influenced all our po-
litical action. 1t has led to partial and dis
criminatory action, much of it harmless,
save as it betrayed petty and timid spirit.
Congress passes a resolution setting aside a
day for the expression of sympathy for the
Jews in Europe; no day is set for the Bel
gians or Servians. Congress asks clemency
for Easement; il does not express sympathy
for Miss Csvell or Frystt Congress asks