Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-06-17


progressive party can be no better
described than in the following ed
itorial from the Register and Leader
of May 30th, predicting what would
happen if the stand pat element was
successful.
Seven years ago Iowa republicans
stepped on two sides of little rivu-
let. The rivulet has widened until
they now find themselves in some
instances barely within hailing dis.
tance of each other. That rivulet
came from the fountain head of q
movement to secure public regula-
ton of corporate wealth.
1t is not necessary. to trace the
exact places at which the rivulet has
widened, nor to point out the OBJ
structions in the channel that some
times have damned it up to danger
GUS flood point. 1t is now a stream
of national extent fed by branches
of popular approval from every
state and territory. On one side
President Roosevelt has marshaled
enough of the republican host to
make it dominating force in. pub
lie affairs, while on the other side
reaction is loudly calling for rein
forcement.
| 1t is not the fault of Senator ALI
son that his candidacy is the rally
ing point of those who would join
the forces of reaction. While he has
not been aggressive in anything, he
has usually been progressive. But
because Governor Cummins has not
only been progressive but also ag-
gressiye, Senator Allison is accepted
as an alternative and his victory will
be hailed accordingly. The defeat
OF Governor Cummins means the de-
feat'o of the progressive Iowa leader
ship of the past seven years, and the
triumph of reaction in the republi
can party, and will 30 be accepted
by the country at large.
Now, is Iowa ready to go back on
the record? Is Iowa willing to say
that the past seven years nationally
and in the state have not been years
of wonderful progress in good gov
ernment? Is Iowa willing to say
that the time has come to stop? 1t
is not Bryan or LaFollette who says
the corporations are organizing as
never before to escape regulation. 1t
is Henry Clews. Is Iowa willing to
take step, in honor Of an old man,
whose real Interpretation will be, no
further progress along Roosevelt
lines?
If Governor Cummins is defeated
who are the men who will come into
control in Iowa? They a1e the men
who have consistently opposed every
fbit Of reform Legislation, both state
and national. They are the men who
Fhave ridiculed state reforms, and
damned national reforms with faint
praise. They are the men who at the
national convention will stand for
reaction, for mild utterances, and
meaningless platitudes. They are
the men who class progressivism
with Organism, and who propose to
turn over to democrats all the thun-
der Of Rooseveltism. This is not an
unfair summary. 1t is justified by
the record.
Can Iowa afford to take the
chance? Is there anything in per-
sonal likes and dislike, in personal
friendships and associations, to war
rant a step that will have 80 wide a
bearing on the future of the party
and of the state? If Governor Cum
minis is chosen senator the nation
has notice that Iowa is on the firing
line. The nation has notice that re.
action will be resisted. If Governor
Cummins is beaten, Iowa will be
hailed as again safe and sane. II
Governor Cummins is beaten, the
progressive forces will be scattered
probably not again to come together
effectively in dozen years. Car
Iowa afford to take the chance?