The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-11-03
REPUBLICAN PARrys

REPUBLICAN PARTYs
FATAL ERROR.
II the Republican party had done the
wise thing It would have followed the
lead Of Anton II. Classen, J. B. Fer
guson, Ex-Governor c. NJ. Barnes. F.
II. Greer, II. B. Gilstrap and @. G..
Jones, all Of whom earnestly worked
for single statehood last fall
But Mcclure and his supporters
would not have it so and chose. rather
This was a fatal error and It will be
to stand for little Oklahoma, insofar
as they stand for any kind Of state
hood at all
fortunate for the party. indeed, If It
does not cost them anything moro
than a defeat at the polls this fall. It
is entirely useless for those, whose
arguments snd forcible logic contrib
uted so much toward creating the
single statehood sentiment to attempt,
at the behest of Mcclure and his fed
eral official supporters, 10 undo what
they have done
Hon. Anton II Classen is the only
one of those named above who has
had the nerve to openly declare that
the arguments which were so convinc-
ing a year ago are convincing still
and that he fayors single statehood
as the only statesmanlike solution of
the problem.
The others have either subsidized in
response 10 the party lash wlslded by
MCGUIRE and his federal official sup
porters. or have openly Topped in
plain view Of the whole people and
now seek to break down with cam
paign slush and unsupported assertion
the very Notifications of single state
hood which their own hands so ably
aided in building a year ago.
1t can hardly be real change of
heart on the part of these gentlemen.
Conditions have not substantially
changed in one year, and such changes
as have been made have all been fav-
orable to single statehood
One could not have foreseen, a year
ago, that all the tribes would by this
time have the allotment of their lands
either practically completed as is the
case with the Creeks. or rapidly pro-
crossing. as in the case Of the Choc-
taws, Chickasaws and Cherokees.
Insinceri.y is one OF the last charges
that ought to be laid at any mans
door, nor is such charge made here,
but cert ainly these gentlemen, who so
promptly changed the public expire =
sion OF their views, have laid them
selves wide open to that SUSPICION
The bold assertions, many Of them
absolutely untrue. which they now
make in a frantic attempt to sustain
the nominee Of the party in his enron
eous position, may soothe the party
spirit, but can never suffice to con
vince the people that the admirable
arguments they made one year ago
were unfounded and untrue.
Mr.. Greer may, TO some extent, be
excused. on the theory that, having
burned his files, he considers himself
open to make a new record.
The Republican party has made
serious mistake aud will lose the sup
port of thousands of It's best and
clearelt thinkers, who can not fail
to be dissatisfied at this irresponsible
Topping of men to whom it had nither
to looked for advice
The question not being partisan in
its nature, but only forced into ser
vice by Mcclure and his federal orfic-
ia supporters, will lead thousands of
fair minded Republicans who stand
for one big state, low taxes and bus
inVss 'prospe ity to vote for Hon. w.
NJ Cross and immediate single state
hood for Otiahoma and Indian terri
tory
|