Evening Journal

LOYALTY DEFINED
Mr. J. S. Prettyman, Jr., coming down on the editor of the Milford News for having the temerity to criticise the manner in which Senator Higgins ignores the record of contributions and "doubtful voters influenced" in distributing the spoils says:
You accuse Senator Higgins again of placing only his friends in office, and thus pretend that he is a factionist. Every Republican is responsible to stand by the official head of the party; as he is unfaithful to the leader, to the same extent is he disloyal to the party. All are responsible to be Higgins men: if we do not stand shoulder to shoulder with him, if we assume or recognize any other leadership we are unfaithful, factionists and disruptionists.
Mr. Prettyman admits the charge that Republicanism is Higginsism, and justifies it precisely as Quayism, Plattism and Mahoneism are justified. He evidently did not contemplate the predicament of two senators and a double-headed leadership in Delaware.
The Republican party is not a party of principle. Lincoln, Sumner, Chase and Conkling are dead. Quay, Wanamaker, Harrison and the Grand Army are on top now. How do the Republicans like to contemplate the inclination of such a leadership toward protection, toward pensions toward subsidies with the attendant and notorious abuses which are inevitable to protectionism, pensions and subsidies? Does it not startle an honest and patriotic Republican to observe the tendencies of his party in Delaware? Is it not startling that a prominent Republican should declare that those who do not worship at the Higgins' shrine are unfaithful, factionists and disruptionists? Is it not startling to be notified that principles are not involved at all-that nothing is necessary but Higginsism? Of course candid and intelligent observers have known this heretofore, but it is a startling announcement to come as if by authority and it is as shameless as humiliating. The leaders have arrived at that state of recklessness where they do not hesitate to declare that Quayism, Mahoneism and Higginsism are Republicanism: that loyalty to either one of these worthies is loyalty to the party of "God and Morality."