The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1928-06-20

dition and legend while the makers of history are
still here. 1t should also arouse in them sense
of the value of documents and manuscripts which
may deal with this historical past, even though
to the lay mind these writings may possess lit
tie but personal value.
The Minnesota State Historical Society is
state organization worthy the moral, the finan-
cial and the unpublished manuscript support"
of all the States citizens.
O*8
CAMPAIGN GOSSIP.
- INCE these are the days of campaigns and
campaign gossip the following article,
- published edtorially in recent issue of
Golfers, is appropriate to the season. For that
matter the point it makes is good both in and
out of political season.
Don't believe the current slanderous whis-
pers concerning Presidential candidates.
Scandalmongering is being used to hurt can
didates for both the Republican and Democratic
nominations.
The distributors of innuendoes and of irres-
ponsible charges are peculiarly reckless this
year. They appear to think that the American
public is base enough to swallow any damaging
story.
Secretary Hoover and Governor Smith at this
writing, the leading candidates of the two par
ties, are especially the targets of scandalmon
gers. Their eminence arouses hostility and un-
scrupulous attacks.
Herbert Hoover is accused of various infam-
les he never committed. He is charged by the
whispering gallery with having made millions
exploiting the Chinese and other peoples.
Lies, pure and simple Secretary Hoover is
not millionaire in the first place and according
to testimony of those associated in business with
1; Il; Il hot o hos vb
Cling the Chinese or anybody.
Governor Smith, according to the slanderers,
is drunkard and man of low character: Moth
ing could be further from the truth. Smith is
abstemious person and man of the highest
standards of personal conduct.
Reasons, and persuasive reasons, can be
found for opposing the nominations of both Sec
rotary Hoover and Governor Smith but they have
nothing to do with the rumors loosed by the whis-
pering claques
Discount the gossip you hear concerning this
years candidates by your knowledge of the false
charges made against other Presidential can
didates and even against other Presidents.
Woodrow Wilson, a man Of inflexible char
acter, was called person of loose morals and
profligate in 1916 when he was running for
the Presidency. 1t was nonsense of course but
the busy little liars went on just the same and
many folks believed them.
Similarly, Roosevelt was accused Of being
a drunkard. Finally, you remember, came the
famous trial which proved that the ex-President
was not addicted to alcoholic excuses.
President Harding, too was victim of NAL
icious SANDER. His ancestry was attacked and
even since his death strange and untrue stories
have been told of his financial relationships.
Every President has been the object of such
scurrity and it has almost seemed that the bet
ter the man the worse the libel.
George Washington was attacked more Bit
terly than any other President. If the scandal
mongers were to be believed, the Father of our
Country ought to have been put IN Jail.
Nothing too Enthusiastically untrue to be
said of Jefferson or Jackson and the mildest
criticism of President Lincoln compared him with
a gorilla to the disadvantage of the latter.
So if anybody comes to you with wild stor-
les showing the immortality or turpitude of one
of the Presidential candidates remember what
was said of their predecessors. Then ask the
man or woman who is distributing that particu-
lar bit of gossip if the teller is willing to accept
responsibility for its circulation
Most important: remember that the scan
dals circulated about candidates have little to do
with their fitness for office
If you are against Herbert Hoover, you don't
have to bolster up your opposition by swallowing
book Of fairy tales about crimes he never COM
mitted.
Secretary Hoover is strong man, standing
definitely for certain political principles and pol
icies. If you oppose his principles, or if you
merely don't like the cut of his jib, you aren't
compelled to justify your decision by listening to
scandal concerning him.
So, too, with Governor Smith. His principles
and purposes are well known. Some like them
and others do not. If you are opposed to him
and his ideas, say so, but don't let your own at
titude be contaminated by attending to irrespon-
sible talebearers.
Instead Of permitting this Presidential cam
paign to degenerate in contest between SLAM
-derers and liars, let's keep the discussion ON a
plane of good temper and reality.
Both parties are offering men Of unusual
power and intelligence. Let's for once have
campaign in which the voters are as decent as the
candidates. ..~
Il