The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-09-23
THE REPUBLICAN ATTEMPT

Naturally enough the so-called Republican organi
zation devoes special energy to raising the barrier
OF partsanship and preventing the revolt of the
voters to the right side of the Doodle issue At tn,
same time everything possible is attempted TO oh
scure the issue and render IL less attractive and
convincing. Also the attempt is 10 bind the rank
and file 10 1.-THE party by considerations purely par
tisan This is one of the most conspicuous features
OF the organizations campaign. II is undeniably
true of the Republican machine In ordinary times
that r desperately seeks any issue which promises
chance Of coming into power-ts entire record in
the State proclaims that it is far more concerned
with getting into office than with the public interest
after II gets in. This year having taken the wrong
side Of the big VITAL popular issue because that side
suited its more immediate necessities. /. finds its
only hope In magnifyng minor and uniinportant
matters. incidentally, In getting on the wroDS side
Of the main issue TO satisfy its needs the or
ganization sold its birthrght-betrayed its voters
very cheaply-and the small issues which il has now
10 offer them but poor amends. 1t is TO be borne
In mind. also that the organization which cheated
the voters in the campaign would be apt. II by
any chance successful, TO cheat the people in the
administration of tine States affairs.
The organization which would sell out the big
issue and offer the people little substitutes is quite
capable Of manufacturing spurious ones-it would
deceive them to the quality readily to the
size. Having forfeited the right TO stand for the
real ISSUE the Republican clique is busy with the
manufacture OF lies. In other words, having 10y
their alliance with boodlers placed themselves
that they must oppose the Doodle issue, they are
aided by willing Ananias orators and organs. pla-
cling cheats and false tokens before the voter Mes
Bit law" police" machine" discrepancies" and
numerous other hoaxes are among these. ISLANDERS
about Folk and trumped-up questions of veracty''
are part of the daily ammunition.
By the leaders a great show OF loyalty to Re
publican principles and to party is made loyalty 10
national Republicanism and loyalty TO Mr.. Roose-
velt-whom they have fought in the State and who
discountenances them-and The word is quietly
passed around that there is chance TO win Mis-
souri, for the great party if everybody will go to the
polls and vote, but that unless everybody does his
duty the local organization will sink in defeat
TO rise again." But most Of the rank and file See
through the pretenses Of loyalty to Republican prin-
eiples TO the Republican party and TO Mr.. Roose-
welt; and most men feel that the best thing which
could happen to the Republicans, the real Republic
ans Of Missouri would be the radiance forever Of
the present organization and selfish leaderships
The exhortations to loyalty and the "confdentiaI'
talk about chance TO win is the same old nonsense
which has been passed around in Missouri time out
Of mind by the hucksters who nothing in organi-
zarion but the opportunity to cut the Federal pie
The talk has never accomplished anything else and
has never been intended to accomplish anything
else. 1t has about the same significance now that
1t has always had-to illustrate the perfdy and H.
Illuminate the motives Of the pie politicians and post
office brigade.
Considering the real inwardness Of the organiza-
ton this year, its Doodle and antiRoosevelt ailia
TONS and considering its turpitude and the obvious
cheapness Of the plea which it makes to the voters
the prediction is reasonable for the greatest Demo
cratic majority in the history Of the State. Thar
the vote Of every Democrat will be cast the right
side Of the great moral question is certain That
the votes Of by far the larger number Of the Re-
publican rank and file will be cast the same way Is
strongly probable. The so-called Republican" or
is making a losing fight over the division
of Republican votes.
Although the Doodle issue clearly divides politics
II cannot divide good citizenship. 1t marks the d.
vision between parties but the people will subordi
nate partisanship to good morals. They will not
allow partisanship to be raised 4 barrier 10 pre-
vent them from being with the right. They will not
tolerate partisan restraints be governed In their
Of the big issue by any considera
lions of mere partisanship political fidelity"
They will not permit the big issue TO be obscured
by questions Of lesser caber or allow partisan diff
ferences to defeat the popular agreement upon
great question Of right
The Republican who bolts his organization in
this campaign cannot be charged with dsloyalty TO
principle 1t is himself but the local party that
has been false to the principle Of good government
upon which all parties should stand The response
bilty for his departure lies with the party which
has put itself against principles: which has voun-
tarily taken the negative side Of the Doodle issue
and made of itself an obstruction to reform.
Loyalty to party is right when the party Is right
Loyalty to principle is right and must be maintained
when the party is wrong 1t is better to be faithful
to principle and honor the cost Of severance from
a party organization than to abandon the right TO
follow a set OF politicians into error and fasebood
is better to be false false leaders than be true
to them even under ordinary circumstances and
when they lead openly in the direction OF obvious.
niauity going with them involves the sheerest
folly and the Of faith. And. finally il is bet
ter to be a bolter to a party than traitor to the
State"
ELECTORAL PROVISIONS.