Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1908-07-23
IhE REAL QUESTION.

named and the platforms framed. The
two great parties diner materially, yet
thei. differences are far less marked than
in years agone. Formerly, when one
party took up a new issue and espoused
it, the other as promptly ranged itself in
opposition, just as matter of course. 1t
would not do to agree, in the slightest,
for then there would be nothing to fight
over, and by endorsing in any respect the
other party's position there would follow
confession of superiority that would be
fatal.
While this idea has not wholly depart
ed, it has waned considerably. The
trend of popular sentiment in this coun-
try is now so well defined that the par
ties simply try to get into line with it.
There is no longer batting between the
ways; no longer a square turning of the
face in one direction and the back in an
other. The country has pretty much
made up its mind what it wants, and the
paths of the two parties, while they di-
verge, lead in the same general direction.
For instance, both parties concede that
the country desires a continuance OF the
Roosevelt policies 1.-THE Democrats call
them the Bryan policies of eight and
twelve years ago. Early tariff revision,
Z financial reform, federal control of cor
porations doing interstate business, de-
finition and limitation OF the power Of
4 injunction, these are the main questions
OF the campaign, and upon them there is
not a wide divergence among the parties.
Besides these each party has q relatively
few propositions that the other does not
concur in, or does not mention, but these
are not OF prime importance.
The real question fer the voter, then.
is, Which of the two parties, judging
from its record and its present leadership
and makeup, bids fair to accomplish the
better work along the line marked out;
also, whichcf the two represents the most
progressive yet the most conservative
ideas, when it comes to a carefully de-
fined program? II follows that the per-
sonality of candidates and leaders, and
the constituency of the parties as a whole
will receive more than usual attention
this year.
The Republican party may safely invite
scrutiny in these respects. II has a rec
ord OF accomplishment, while that of
the Democracy is strewn with error, fail
ure and ignominy. Somehow, there is a
tempersmentaI difference between the
two parties that is basic. II outcrops
everywhere almost. The Republican
party is not always right, not always free
from error, scandal or rsscaiity, but it
does things. There is no whiting un-
certainty about it. When it says it will
do certain thing, and the people CON-
a reasonable time. The Democratic
party, with its no less liability to error,
scandal or rascality, combines a singular
inability to control itself, or keep along
its chosen course, or do what it, proba-
bly, in good faith, set out to do. On this
account, more than any other, 1t has for
feited public confidence. When the
Democracy gets on the right side of a
no knowing what it viii do in the matter
when it comes to act. Why, even after
it had fought through two successful
campaigns for tariff reform, and the de-
mand of the people was clear and unmis-
taxable, the Democrats in Congress
! lacked the cohesive force to put through
measure that would win the official ap.
: prevail OF their own chief executive, and
ure.
! As to candidates, we have high opin.
ion OF the merits OF Mr.. Bryan in certain
regards. We believe him to be an up
right, honest, sincere man, great orator,
clear thinker and quite originstive in
his ideas. But he lacks constancy, and
while of his patriotism there is no ques.
ton, he hasn't the strength of mind OF
purpose equal to the tremendous task OF
: keeping the Tom Taggarts, the Jim Guf-
feys the Charles Murphys, the George
Fred williamses and the hungry horde oil
! untamed politicians that control the rank
and file of the party up to the same high
standard. A Bryan administration
would be new record of uncertainty, va
; cillatiou and Incompetence.
1t is pretty well understood that Taft
knows what the presidency requires, and
can fill the demand. He will be helped
not hindered, by his associates and advis
ers. Congress will work with him, moi
against him. We shall see the country
moving on to higher position than ever
/ The desired policies will be carried out
in their substance and in their detail. And
it is because the Republican party is wha'
1t is that this is SO.
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