The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-06-04

Tho Party that Deliberntes.
For more than ten years the Repub.
lican party has been trusted by the
people with authority in all depart
ments of the government. By virtue
of the popular judgment it still re-
tn ms this control, but the time is draw
ing near when more than 100000
voters will decide whether this respon
sibility shall continue for another pc
riod of years, or be curbed after March
1 next, when a new president will be
inaugurated and new Congress will
come into existence. In certain
sense it is unfortunate that the defec-
ton in the Democratic party four years
ago was SO great as TO give the i'm
preston that the Republican, party had
beaome 100000 stronger than the OPP
position. Such an idea is calculated
TO engender Il false view of personal
popularity and to lead the weak or de-
signing to lower the tone of the party
by the adulation OF individuals. The
Republican party is not millions strong
er than the forces arrayed against 1t
unless they are divided 70 an unusual
extent. No Republican is as great as
the party. or ever can be until its char
acter and purposes are materially I'M
paired. The convention about 10 meet
at Chicago, like its preceding nationa!
gatherings, has occasion to think care
fully and deeply upon the welfare of
the country. 1t has vital duties to per-
form in connection with the best inter-
ests of the people and record To pre-
serve in this respect that is immeasur-
ably more important than any person
al vanities.
A little less than four years ago, on
July 6, 1904. a notable meeting was
held at Jackson. Mich, TO celebrate the /.
fiftieth anniversary OF the birth OF the
Republican party, for it was there that
the first State convention acting under
the name was held. The leading speak
er was Secretary of State John
Hay, and it was powerful address
he gave the country. Its breadth, ele-
vaticn and calmness were never more
is merely fretful is trying TO pass for
revelation. THE Republican party, III
the mass and in detail" said Mr.. Hay, |
'.has shown the capacity to govern.
1t has been the. party of deliberate
action. In President Lincoln Mr. Hay
saw man who never for moment
was tempted by the vast power he
welded TO any action not Justified by
the moral and the organic law Ia
miliar with the history OF the RepuD-
>Iican party from the start, Mr.. Hay
could speak of its great achievements
in every branch of national advance
ment and craftsmanship. and Yet 1t
has not abated sone jot or little oil the |
ancient law imposed upon us by our |
God-fearing ancestors. We have fought |
a good fight, but also we have kept the
faith. The constitution of our fathers
has been the light TO our feet; our |
path is. and will ever remain. that OF |
ordered progress, of liberty under the
law"
Anything at Chicago that could re I
duce the horizon of the Republican |
party from that of the highest nation |
al advantage 10 that of personal az
grandizement would be falling of to |
be profoundly deplored. To cheaper
the party in any way, or degrade its
standards. would be q blow to it's pow
er of usefulness from which recovery /
would not be easy. The supreme party |
obligation is TO the government of the |
United States and its S0.OO0.0OO people !
Infinitely wiser is the party than any |
of its members. Men come and go, but |
a marry moves onward to new fields or
effort and new obligations. If it is wor-
thy to survive. 1t is a pleasure to hear |
that the convention hall at Chicago is |
not to be picture gallery of aspirants
or supposed favorites. Presidents and |
candidates may be conspicuous in an |
era. but the mission of the party Is |
not to be subservient to them. A ma
tional party worthy OF respect towers
above any Municipalities. Its business
is momentous to the nation, and wcr- |
ship of persons is sorry show OF DON
zeal decentralization. = st. Louis
.1,obe-Democrat.