The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-18
LESSONS FROM WISCONSIN

IN tho present disturbed and ex-
ceedingly sore state of republican
nolitics in Wisconsin 1t is easy to
find and to become imbued with tbs
most conflicting impressions of men
and events, according to environment
and the point of view. The La iFollette
following regard themselves as vlctors
over a thoroughly reckless and corrupt
combination to defeat political progress
and reform in that state. On the other
hand the stalwarts regard the La Toilette
enthusiasts as unbalanced and somewhat
historical as the neWly-risen frotn, on
top at present but soon to be disslpated.
Governor La Follette, himself, some OF
them regard as demagogue and some as
a hare-brained political emotionallst.
Some go so far as to question his sincerity
and integrity, though most Of them re-
gard him as "a man whose heart Is better
balanced than his reason. !.
But leaving time to make a true est1-
mate Of the iron -willed governor, the fact
remains that his present triumph is cred
liable to the republicans of Wisconsin,
and this may be said without rejecting
unpleasantly on his opponents.
After all, La Toilette owes his success
to the fact that the people believe him,
believe he is honest, straightforward,
faithful and conscientious. Whether he
is such or not is immaterial in considera-
tion of this phase Of his career To be
OF to seem to be come to the same thing
when we are considering the impulses and
purposes that dominated the people Of
wisconsin. They think they have found
a strong and reliable man and they have
given him great honors in the face OF
tremendous and persistent opposition. 1t
is creditable to the people of any COM
rnunity when they honor man that they
believe serves them we'll and honestly.
The success of La Toilette in Wisconsin
Is comparable to the success OF Theodore
Roosevelt in the nation. Roosevelt is
loved by the people not for great talents
or for snowy qualities, but because the
people believe that he is conscientious
and firmly honest. If a man who wins
the heart Of the people because they be:
lieve in him is afterwards found to be
deficient in the quality attributed to him
he will fall from power, but his persona
humiliation in no way detracts from the
commend alton due OF the choice Of the
people.
Such personal successes are having theil
effects on parties. Parties and pollt1
clans are beginning recognize the fu
tflity, the cowardice and the inconsist
ency of equivocal platforms. The Wis
consin struggle is as much for an homes
platform as for an honest man. There /
no lodging and straddling and takinI
hack in one sentence what is said il
another, in the wisconsin platform. /
speaks with, clearness and emphasis ol
every subject it handles. Part Of tn
Ia Toilette reformation" in Wisconsin
So1itics is concerned with stripping part
sclarations Of their disguises and return
to the primitive and unfamiliar ide
a party platform is a party cree
a party covenant. 80
la Folletteism in Wisconsin may he
81 nassing episode, a mere surface disturb
ance. as the stalwarts allege, but 1T ha
taught all republicans in Wisconsin some
thing: and the republicans of Minnesot
and perhaps, other states, can lear
something from it. We are quite sur
that our platform makers with all&thet
da1icaey of touch and their skill wit
nutty and varnish can learn somethin
from the rude strength Of the Wisconsi
platform. ~ @ .a