New-York tribune., 1906-09-17
STAND BY TIRE PRESIDENT.

The contest in the Republican primaries. to
be determined tomorrow, Is one about which
no Pepuhlican who cares for the future useful
ness Of his party can afford to he Indifferent
Ii is not a question Of personality. hut or prln-
ciple II is not a question of candidates. nut
Of character The Republicans OF this c'H
have placed squarely before them me issue
whether they wish their party to he true 10
the noble clean and progressive ideals Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt ard devoted 10 the service or the
best interests Of the whole people. or are ready
70 Let il degenerate into organization con-
trolIed by bosses and lobbyists for the service
of themselves and the special interests which
employ them.
President Roosevelt has done great service 20
the American people i'm many fields hut no one
OF these services is more important than the
steady ,iplift which he has given 10 the national
idea OF political morality. He IS himself n
clever pOlitician-n0ne more sO-and he has not
as some impracticable critics would nave
wished ridden rough shOd over the 0rsanlza-
tions in the various states, 10 the end or break
ing mp the party and accomplishing nothing
GOOD. but ne has exercised his influence prsc-
ticaIy and effectively TO bring the party into
harmony with the advancing public conscience.
We do not waste time abusing politicians of the
old school who have not been awakened 10 the
new duty. They We're the product or their
times. The public conscience OF both parties
long recognized their methods as part OF the
conventional code OF political ethics. but tney
and their ideas are ont OF date. The American
peonle as a whole will no longer tolerate them,
md the Marty which would continue 10 command
the confidence Of the people and render them
acceptable service must keep Itself in harmony
with the new and better spirit, devotion To-
which has so endeared the President to the pop
ular heart.
last year the people Of New York unmis-
takably manifested their determination to have
,onular and not boss rule. The Republican
marty in this city was reOrganized in accord
with the popular mandate, under the advice of
President Roosevelt and along the lines which
ret with his approval. Under the con-
srjentious leadership Of Governor Higgins ana
q body Of high minded men I'm the state Legis-
Iatura The state government made remarkable
record of devotion 10 the public welfare The
lobby had no comfort. The bosses did no bust
ness They are disgruntled. Some Of them
could not get high appointments which they
desired Others could not get private bills
signed on which their hearts were set others
could not use the Legislature to advance their
political and financial fortunes. To-day they
are allied in spite OF past rivalries TO prevent
the continued dominance of any such high
state.
These forces to-day are using every energy
at their command, aided by the financial con-
tributions Of Democrats, 10 detach the Repub-
Ican party of this county from it's loyalty to
President Roosevelt 10 turn il from the clean
methods Of Governor Higgins and 10 overthrow
the leadership of Mr.. Parsons. Will the en-
rolled Republicans lend themselves TO such an
effort? That is the question. and the only i'm
portant question. 10 be settled tomorrow. There
is plenty Of room for differences Of opinion as
to candidates 10 be named at Saratoga. and
they can be made influential after the vital
question concerning the character of the local
organization has been settled There can be no
room for differences of opinion among honest
Republicans as 10 what the character Of that
organization should De OF which side makes for
progress and liberty ana which side for retro
gressiOn and bOssism.