The New York herald., 1922-02-02
SEAbURY ASKS SMITH
TO WAR ON HEARST
Says Democratic Party in
State Calls on Ex-GOv-
ernOr to Save 1t.
BIG SUPPORT PROMISED
Enter Fight Even if Muir
ply and His Group
Threaten, Is Plea.
MENACE is SEEN AHEAD
sRcd Blood and Liver Speech
of 1919 Assailing Editor
Is Recalled.
MENACE is SEEN AHEAD

Democrats opposed to the candidacy
of William Randolph Hearst for the
United States Senate or for Governor
called yesterday upon the former
Governor. Alfred Il. Smith, to assume
the party leadership and fight the
rHearst threat" "even If in doing so
you were required to antagonize Mus-
ply and his group"
They spoke through Samuel Sea-
bury, former Associate Judge Of the
Court of Appeals and one time Demo-
cratic candidate for Governor, who in
an open letter to Mr.. Smith last night
promised him a splendid response from
party leaders as we'll as from the rank
and file party members.
Wilson Democrats. anti-Hearst Demo-
Gratis and anti-Murphy Democrats are
expected to join in the movement started
to see that the editor does not get place
on the Democratic ticket this fall.
Among those interested are William
Church Osborn, George r. Van Nance.
former Public Service Commissioner ;
Frank l.. Polk, former Under Secretary
of State, and some of the regular organi-
cation leaders upstate.
Within three months a conference will
be held to form an organization to COM
bat the Hearst propaganda alreay
started through the Political Union for
Progress in Government. 1t will be
real fight. 1t may be that the standard
of Mayor George r. Lunn. OF Schenec-
tady, will be hoisted, either for Governor
or the Senate on the ground you can
not fight somebody with nobody"
Seabury's Letter 60 Smith.
Mr.. seabury's letter to Mr.. Smith says
in part:
Il have taken the liberty of address,
ing this open letter to you. because Of
the crisis in the Democratic party In this
state. know that you fully understand
the menace to the party that arises from
the ambitions of Hearst. You know also
that Murphy is in absolute control of the
state organization, and that he cannot
be depended upon to resist Hearst. IL in
so doing he will risk the loss of local
patronage.
everywhere up state / have found
opposition to Hearst and general SEN
timent in favor Of your denomination for
the Governorship. AtEsss
"Hearst's candidacy is challenge to
the Democratic party. That challenge
ought to be accepted. You are the nomi-
nal leader Of the party. Why do you
not become the real leader? Leadership
carries responsibilities. When a crisis
Is presented leader must lead or run
away dicredited.
"The Hearst candidacy offers you only
one Of two alternatives-either to oppose
Hearst or else stand mute. which is the
equivalent of running away. II you
will have the courage to lead you will
get splendid response, not merely from
party leaders but from the rank and file.
Says Fear sflences Men.
zone evil that Hearst's Journalism has
accomplished Is to silence many men
who fear to express their opinions be-
cause unwilling to become the target
for Hearst newspaper abuse. In the
last few weeks many have told me that
they would regard as disgrace to the
party the nomination of Hearst.
Il find in the press of October 80,
1919. report of your Carnegie Hall
speech under the following headings:
Smith Denounces Hearst Launches
Fair Play Battle : Says Editor Is an
Assassin of Character, Enemy of Peo-
pie, Apostle OF Discord' Appeals to
Public Opinion Governor Calls the
Hearst Newspapers "Pestilence That
Walks In the Dark 80 1900 Shout in
Approval Carnegie Hall Audience De-
sires to Form Committee to Protect Citi-
zens from "Slanderer."'
'ln view of this attitude, Is 1t possible
that you can now hesitate TO say frankly
that you will oppose Hearst's nomina-
ton? In your speech commenting upon
fearst's failure to accept your chal-
lenge to debate, you said:
"'Of course / am alone. I knew I
would be, because I know the man to
whom I issued the challenge. and
Know that he has not got a drop of clean
good red blood in his body
Again referring to Hearst, you said |:
81 know the color OF his liver. And
know that 1t is whittier than the driven
snow. II suck thing be possible
Surely 1t is not unfair for Democrats
TO ask you whether you will consent to
be a. candidate for either of these offices.
II Hearst is nominated by the party for
the other"