The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-29
THE ONLY WAY FOR THEM.

The sooner the Republican party in Missouri comes
to realize its present position the better it will be
for the State and for the party. For with that re-
Zaton. must come Il sense of It's circumstances. its
opportunities and It's obligations 1t is with the
performance of It's obligations that the State and
the people concerned.
Republcanism in Missouri is mere incident. 1t
is an accident, but the accident brings op
portunity to the party to make something more Of
itself than it has been for third of century; TO
bring itself out of the condition of disntegrated
weakness and Generalization 10 the proportions and
character of Il respectable minority party which
must he consulted and will have its influence in the
government of ihe State.
The Republican party must understand that its
recent success in this State best secondary
matter. Mr.. Roosevcs plurality and the election of
minor nominees the State ticket We're not the
main consideration. They did not express the funda
mental politics of the State. They were the result
of the default of thirty thousand voters But the
election of Folk the dominant feature of the
day. That did represent the essential political will
Of the people 1t was accomplished Notwithstanding
the thirty thousand detection and in part by the
same vote which elected the Republicans and gave
Mr.. Roosevets plurality. The vote cast for the
principle behind Folk, by Republicans and Demo
Gratis.
with the election OF tlie NilnOr 0HlclalS came Il
responsibility from the same source TO uphold the
principle. The Republican votes which elected Folk
imposed upon the Republican officials the duty of
subordinatng themselves the idea which Folk
represents But otherwise, the will of the people,
manifested ut the polls. demands the support and
cooperation of these for the Missouri idea. Had
the whole people of Missouri spoken ut the election
there would have been Democratic minor officials
put in Office with Folk but in far the popular
will did manifest itself in the vote for the Repub-
lican nominees it voiced the same demand. There
can be evasion of this duly on the score Of par
tisanship: these men cannot plead that they were
elected in opposition Folk. The votes which elect-
ed Folk were votes cast for them; they werc i'll Il
sense elected with Folk.
And IN assertion by these minor officials of par
tisan opposition TO the Governors policies, which
feet the Missouri idea, will not only be the worst
disregard of the public welfare and the States rep
utation-it will mean political death TO the men
themselves and irreparabe disaster to the party
which they represent.
There must be single idea in administrations il
must dominate every office under the administration
and the Legislature well. The Republican men,
bers of The Legislature come under the rule. They
were elected precisely the administrative officials.
They are answerable 10 the same powers. Their re-
sponsibity is identical.
The Missouri idea should find expression in the
senatorial election. In this in every other mat
or the Republican party must be judged in the light
of the Missouri idca-its action measured by the
new standard which the people in both parties have
up in public affairs. In the preliminarcs to the
senatorial election the Republican party does not
appear 10 advantage: it does not seem 10 have got
off on the right foot; its integrity does not stand
forth: it fails 10 demonstrate the vigorous character
OF honesty demanded under the condition in
Missouri. IF il judged now, the Republican
party would he condemned being of place in
the new order of things. Insistcn; rumor breathes
OF :: corruption which would place Republican
stain upon the States new name and a stain which
could never be cacei. But it is obviously early
TO Judge the party 1t rightly ought to be given the
heneft of the roubt. Presumably it would have too
much intelligence TO sell its only opportunity so
clcapIy. y sold senatorship would mean bartered
State honor and everlasting party disgrace - the
foreclosure of office forever against Republicans.
Ier the Republican majority come through its
senatorial ordeal without dishonor and let the ad-
rlinstratve officers accord to Folk the sincere
work expected of them, and the Republican party
will have secured a and improved footing. 1t
will not lie the dominant position in State affairs.
but it will be a standing. Missouri is Democratic
for all time TO come; just as strongly so as when
the Republicans filed the offices thirty years ago:
nothing can change it, temporary defaults serve
only to preserve and increase its essential power.
But the Republican party may arrive at the char
acter of considerable. respect-compeliing minority
and weighty balance in State affairs
There is other way in which the Republican
party can to itself the advantage derived at
the recent electiOn other way in which 1t can
improve upon its situation. Every other way spells
I,u.E oId
level. Public confidence requires tremendous en-