The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1907-05-16
WANTS HEARST AS ALLY.

Bryan's Commoner has taken new
and lovely tack in making up to w. r.
Hearst The Commoner has this olive
branch extended editorially:
Attention has already been called to
Mr.. Hearst's New York speech on the
evening of April 10. in which he ex-
pressed dissatisfaction with existing
parties and his determination to or
ganize a new party through the in
strumentality of the independence
League. That Mr.. Hearst means well
will be admitted, but there will be a
difference of opinion as to the wisdom
of his action. In joining a party man
naturally asks two questions: First,
what does the party stand for? And.
second, what chance has the party of
accomplishing its purpose? The second
question is scarcely less important
than the first, for, unless a party has a
prospect of putting it's principles into
law. it strives in vain, and because II
strives in vain it does not appeal to the
people.
OF course. a party may do education
al work without dominating the gov
eminent, and all parties. however
small, do educational work, but the
great majority of the voters prefer to
see results rather than to do pioneer
work. Mr. Hearst complains that the
democratic party is not harmonious
that is true. But, unfortunately, there
is no chance of securing absolute mar
mony in any party of any size. II
party has as many as two members,
the conservative and radical elements
will appear Even where all agree in
principles, there will be differences of
opinion as to methods. and such diff
ferences cause almost as much trouble
as differences in principle. The repub-
lican party seemed to stand united
party when it came into power in 1861,
and yet before Lincoln had been in Of
flee three years the radical element of
the party thought him too conservative,
and before eight years elapsed. re-
publican congress tried to impeach a
president.
The Independence League must grow
in order to exert great influence, and
it cannot draw to itself any consider
able number of thinking men without
becoming debating society.
Whether the new party is really
needed is a matter which time alone
can decide. Mr. Hearst has a large
personal following, and his papers ex-
ert marked influence. He has left the
democratic party because he has lost
faith in it's power to secure reforms,
and the Independence League will Of
fer a political home to those who de-
spair of relief through either the demo-
cratic or republican parties, but it can
not hope to attract those democrats
who still believe that the democratic
party can be made an effective instru-
ment in the hands of the people for the
securing of remedial legislation;
neither can it expect TO attract reform
unless those republicans
believe that the Independence League
can bring reform sooner than the DEM
Ocrats can.
In the meantime the democratic pa
pers should treat Mr.. Hearst and the
new party as an ally rather than as
an enemy We are going in the same
even though we march under
different banners. and there ought to
be no quarrel so long as we are trying
to cast our DEVILS although we in
woke the name of democracy. while Mr..
Hearst and his associates invoke the
name of the Independence League.