The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-10-23
BRANDEGEE'S
MISTAKE

(F'rom the Springfield Republican,
No political candidate was ever
worse served, or more cruelty TESTED
with, than was Senator Brandegee by
the ungenerous brain which conceived
the idea of reviving criticisms OF
Abraham Lincoln made 60 years ago
by the dead editor of the Hartford
Times and of printing Lincoln's and
Brandegee's pictures in the same po-
litical advertisement This was eX-
pected to hep Brandegee and to multi
fy the exposure of him by the Hart
ford Times under its present manage
ment. The comments of prominent
Connecticut citizens have supplied
evidence that the performance is al
ready a memorable political boone
rang But there is more reco1l yet in
this display of futile and stupid vim
dictiveness.
Did the Republican state committee
of Connecticut, or the original author
of the episode. in whatever office 10
Gated, wish to invite a comparison be
| tween Lincoln and Brandegee! u
may be assumed not yet that is the
was born and reared amid rude sur
roundings; his nature and his man
| ners softened; he achieved a great
generosity and compassion. He won
| the reverent admiration of men VINO
| had at first misunderstood MN.
Frank B. Brandegee was born to the
advantages of comfort and SURROUND,
ing A1lture. He went to Yale ana
| fine associations and friendships. He
! entered public life. In his case, in
| stead of development there mas oeen
| Decentralization. Through his habit OF
| uncontrolled offensiveness he has be-
| come a competitor for the distinction
of possessing the most abusive tongue
| in Washington.
fective and impressive speech he ever
delivered, undertook to analyze, with
rare discrimination and felicity OF
phrase, the qualities which MADE
Abraham Lincoln great. Chief among
| them he put Lincoln's fairness and
| generosity in stating the case of an
opponent before proceeding by leg1u-
| mate argument to meet and COMBAT IL.
| With which of Loncoln's speeches
would the Republican state commit
| tee of Connecticut, or the author OF
1.-THE Brandegee-Lincoln advertisements
| now wish to compare Mr.. Brandegee,s
insulting references to pink
chemises,'' plymouth rock pants" or
! t'bleating women" in his angry and
| vulgar opposition to woman suffrage?
To which of Lincoln's speeches
/ should be compared Mr.. Brandegee's
] choice billingsgate with regard to Mr..
Taft himself, whom he described, for
the sublime reason that he did not
| agree with Mr.. Taft on the league OF
President Wilson wants him to every
! time you throw a cake of soap into
him. Is it the infinite sol1c1tude OF
Lincoln's first inaugural address that
| should be held up to the shame of this
unfit senator, who in another great
| time, has struck so tragic note OF
un1ovely, uncontrolled and evilly-ex-
pressed anger?
There are those in Connecticut who
ii11-temperedly resent outside criticism
on her politics. So be it. But the
election of a United States senator to
be an ambassador at Washington is q
matter of legitimate interest in each
of the other At states. And if it were
not those in other states may surely
be pardoned for a great pride in the
best of Connecticut's citizenship, {
pride in all of her high achievements
a pride when new honor for her is
earned and sorrow when her shield i:
fouled.