The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-07
NEW PARTY LINES
In RATE CONTEST
Continued from First Page.

refusal would bring the president. in.
eVltably, to the parting Of the WAYS
with the conservatives, and at the same
time, Just as inevitably bring him near
er the position of Bryan and the radical
democracy.
It might easily happen, such being
the situation, that there would be new
party alignments, the Roosevelt repub.
Leans joining forces with the BRYAN
democrats, and forcing the conserve
tive republicans to unite with the
safe and sane' leaders Of the reor-
a revolution such as that of 1860,
which swept the new republican party
into power.
Moral Issue at Work.
The issue in 1860 was a moral issue.
human slavery. The issue which now
would bring about a reimbursement of
party lines would also be a moral issue
the repression Of corporate greed and
the bringing Of the great corporations
to a position where they will be com-
PEELED by law to recognize that the pub
lie has rights which are to be respected.
There is the further possibility, tho
remote, that the president might be
the candidate Of the new radical party
for a third term, and If he We're not,
ne would exercise a controlling voice in
deciding who should be.
such a new party would attract such
men as Governor LaFOllette of Wiscon-
sin, about to begin his first term in the
United States senate; Governor Cum
minis of Iowa, who has senatorial aspi-
rat1ons; Goyernor Deneen of Illinois,
nesota; with all the tremendous forces
which these men represent within the
republican party as at present con-
II there should be a breaking up Of
party lines, it will show itself first in
the senate, which is always unrespon-
sive to popular clamor. In the house
1st as are in the senate, but they are less
conspicuous. 1t is always possible in
this body to pass an administration
measure, even tho many of the men vot-
ing for it oppose it at heart. Men who
are compelled to 20 before the voters
careful how they act in congress than
men who once in six years go before
the legislatures.
Public Mind for Party CHANGE. +.
The condition Of the public mind has
never been so favorable for this politi-
aroused since the antislavery agitation
party; A number of factors have
brought this about. The prosperity
which began in 1897 gave the great
corporations more opportunities than
they had enjoyed Heretofore. They
improved these opportunities to the
limit: For several years the newspapers
and the magazines have been ringing
the changes on the greed Of corporate
wealth in it's various avenues of activ.
ity. Communities and towns have%been
pauperized, individuals have been
ground under the heel Of special priv
chinery Of the courts and of the legisla
} lures has been used to these ends. Pc
l ltical parties in many states have beer
: debauched, the creatures Of the trusts
3 have been given the highest places
J within the peoples gift, and an era Of
rights Of others has Northumberland:
The prosperity which began in 1897
! fore the "plain' people began to- real
! lie the situation. Then began a pro
, test. Lincoln Steffens, Ida Tarbell, Ray
Stannard Baker and many others, in
, magazines and newspapers, began to DC
, while arisen, who was in sympathy with
no debasing influences, but who indi
Gated Enthusiastically a desire to destroy
them. With his policy in this respect
from the time Of the coal arbitration
! and the first prosecution of certain
trusts, down to the late decision Of the
supreme court against the beef trust
: the public is familiar. 49, r.*
u. The Public Awakening. ...
p In the election Of last year the awak
ening Of the public, conscience was strik
ingly illustrated in the election. Oh
Douglas as governor Of Massachusetts,
/ Johnson as governor ct Minnesota, Ia :;
Toilette as governor Of Wisconsin, FolA
= as governor of Missouri, and Deneen al
governor of Illinois. It is a mistake Il
, assume that these men are unrelated tt
:. the tide Of public sentiment which il
{. sweeping over the country and support
q ing the president in his determination
to compel the surrender Of congress tx
! the just demands Of the people. "
It may be that the trusts will yolun
2 tarily withdraw from the contest, afte,
a few sharp preliminary skirmishes, an(
;. if they do, the president will get villa
he wants at the hands. of congress ii
special session, either this spring or mex
fall. If they do not withdraw, thu
i country will witness q battle royal be
which the president will ultimately wi,
the victory. It will not be a tam'
struggle, such as that between Presiden
4 Cleveland and the senate, when tn,
questions In dispute had no moral s1gnl
a fcaace, but it will attract the atten
ton Of the civilized world.
America to Lead the Way.
The president believes that tn,
United States has the moral stamina t,
lead the way for all the nations in tn
matters here outlined, and while h
= wants to accomplish the desired result
quietly and peacefully if possible, he i
not the man. to avoid a struggle, shoul'
there be no other way. The presiden
knows that as long as the people sup
= port him he cannot fail, and it will b
|, = his constant endeavor to keep that sup
y port. He is now stronger. in the pub
: lie confidence than ever before, an6
. strange as it may seem, this is precisel
the thing which those who are prepal
ing to oppose him seem unable to com
prehend.
n Whether the president wins by coere
ing the senate, or by breaking with il
: matters nothing, so far as his reputatio
IS concerned. He will emerge from tn
contest the greatest man Of his day, an
L worthily entitled to share with WASH
0 ington and Lincoln the honor Of occr
& pying the highest place in the though
Of a grateful people.