New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1916-11-14
MIR. HUGHES.
Results Show Country to Be Full of
Independents Free With Their Knives
(New York Times)

The time has come for the Repub-
licans to lay on Mr.. Hughes the
blame of a failure which is not his
but theirs. The surprise is not that
he did not do better, but that he did
so remarkably we'll.
1t is not Mr. Hughes fault that
there are two wings of the Repub-
lican party and that there is only
the semblance and preJense of a re-
union between them. 1t is not Mr..
Hughes fault that the progressves
who sincerely believed in progressive
legislation and were not merely hero
worshippers could not be transferred
to the republican camp when Mr..
Roosevelt sought to hand over the
whole progressive party into the
hands of it's unreconciled enemies.
1t is not Mr.. Hughes fault if the
prOgressives, especially in the west,
although the same spirit is revealed
by the diminished republican plural
tiles in New England, were attracted
by the progressive purposes and
achievements of Mr.. Wilson'S ad-
ministration. 1t is not Mr.. Hughes
fault that the republicans had no is
sues, no clear policies except protec-
ton, a scarecrow hung out at the
eleventh hour, and inviting only guf-
flaws
The republicans simply wanted
change of administration to beat
Wilson, and they could give no
good reasons for the change and the
beating. Mr.. Hughes was vague and
negative. SO was his party. What
would they do or have done about
Mexico, about European questions?
Did anybody find out? Apparently
they would do or have done what Mr..
Wilson did, only in a "firmer" way.
Why should the country change GER
tainty for uncertainty? Why, when
such grace international questions
were pending, should it give notice to
the. world that it's foreign policy was
discredited and SO weaken the gov
eminent and it's influence at a serious
time?
"Words, not Deeds" the repub-
licans used to sheer in the beginning
of their campaign. The deeds Of
Woodrow Wilson the multiform
fruitful work of his administration
were before the country. They could
not be hidden. The deeds were dem
ocratic, the words republican,; and
the words were vain
Coming from the supreme court,
Mr. Hughes voice, like Vergips in
1.-THE Inferno was "hoarse with
long silence" He did not at first show
the vigor and fire which were his in
1908. But then and afterward the real
weakness was in his cause, not in him
self. AS he warmed up, as he caught
the communicative order of crowds,
his speeches gained in power; and, so
far energy and force of speech can
a.
bguities imposed on him, he became
q campaign orator Of no mean degree.
But if he had spoken with the tongue
Of men and angels, what difference
would it have made? He had no case,
He could give no good reasons why he
should succeed Mr.. Wilson. The lat
ter's speeches were inded incompara-
bly, superior in form and content, but
it was what Mr.. Wilson had done, not
what he said, that counted
Mr.. Hughes made some obvious mis-
takes. He should have damned the
hyphen, that now ridiculous and i'm
potent hyphen, early in his campaign.
His late remuneration had the air of
being forced, as did his declaration
| against an embargo. His avoidance
of Hiram Johnson In California was
another blunder, due to Old Guard
chaperonship, but the enthusiasts
who were to give Mr.. Johnson so
monstrous majority are not likely
to have taken kindly to Mr.. Hughes
And the country is full Of independ
ents, free with their knives, as the
returns show.
If Mr., Roosevelt had been the re-
publican candidate, nobody can tell
what would have happened. But Mr..
Roosevelt is a genius, a sort of ele-
, mental force Mr.. Hughes can't be
blamed for not being Mr. Roosevelt.
Besides, one is enough.
In view of the essential unreality of
the republican tissues hunted so
eagerly and exhibited so vainly; in
view of the positive and various
strength of Mr.. Wilson, Mr.. Hughes
did better than the republicans had
any excuse for expecting. He con-
Quoted himself with dignity through
an irritating canvass. He retains the
undiminished respect of the country.
In this city he will De welcomed as a
man of high character and service.
In the practice Of his profession, in
the regard of his fellow citizens he
will find some compensation for his
defeat May his career be as long as
it is sure to be honorable
The CoIcnoJ