The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-11-23

ting up three hundred thousand dol
lar skyscrapers?
AS the State Journal stated the other
day:
The insurgents in banking. most
absurdly to be sure. upon Roosevelt's
endorsement and aid. may learn at a
later date that Colonel Roosevelt in
his sincerity. astuteness and shrewd-
ness declines to lend himself to their
cause. What will the .5nsurgent' do
then, poor thing?''
But here is what Mr.. Allen says in
full in last nights issue Of his paper.
the Wichita Beacon:
There have been from a number of
Republican newspapers in Kansas with
IN week several hundred thousand
stormy words denouncing the utterance
recently given by the editor of The
Beacon that Kansas Republicanism is
not for Taft.
For the most part the Republican
EDITORS of the state take the position
that any criticism Of the president is
harmful to the Republican party and
that any man who tells what he con-
eefves to be the truth about Taft should
leave the party.
"Only two or three editors take the
position that Kansas IS still friendly to
EIcSlQout Inc controversy LnGIe-
fore is chiefly as to whether a private
member of political party has a right
to voice his opinions as to the official
head OF the party. The highest express
sion of free government ought to man.
ifest itself in the party discussions. and
whatever honest objections a private
member OF a political party may have
tc either party principle or a great
party leader he should have perfect
freedom to express. To say that a man
shall reserve the expression of his
judgment through fear that he may
hurt the party is to say that the party
utilization challenges a man into moral
oowardice.
1.-The chief glory of the Republican
party ought to be that every member
of 1t is an Independent thinking unit
and that the controversies which arise
within the party are the problems that
the party must settle with fairness and
without bigotry. .
THE anti-Taft feeling in Kansas to-
day Is due to Mr.. Taft's faulty concep-
ton Of what party obligation means.
At Winona he practically declared
that the Republican who turned insur-
gent against the Aldrich-Payne tariff
bill, should leave the party. This is
merely in line with political usage and
old time political conduct.
What are the insurgent Republic
cans trying to do?
'"They are seeking merely to send
to congress Republicans who believe
in genuine revision of the tariff.
They are not going to leave the party,
because the party is as much their
political home as it is the political
home of Aldrich. Cannon and Taft.
They are there by the same great
family Inheritance and they have the
same right to offer their protest for
what they believe to be the family
good as have these other members of
the party who have been elected to
public position by the party.
They cannot be made political
prodigals simply because they have
been outspoken in criticism. of what
great members of the party have done.
This movement of the progressive
Republicans Is still a Republican
movement, and the men who are car
rying it on are still Republicans.
They have exactly the same right
OF political manhood to declare their
position in Kansas as Mr.. Taft had to
declare his position in Winona. They
have the same right to declare that
Aldrich and Cannon have served other
interests than the Republican party
that Aldrich and Cannon have to call
these men fanatics and demagogues.
THE editor of the Beacon merely
takes the position that Mr.. Taft has
rot stood for the things that Kansas
believes in. and that if President
Roosevelt should return and accept it.
Kansas WOulQ support MIN Tor the
presidency.
mo better thing could happen to
the Republican party. not only of Kan
sas but of the United States. than Mr..
Rooseveit's candidacy. He would
sweep the entire country into line for
his progressive doctrines. and save the
Republican party from the disasters to
which Aldrich and Cannon, by their
assumed proprietorship of it. are lead
ing it.
OF the past week many bitter things
have been said and the attempt of some
Of the editors is to call into question
| the motives and integrity of the men
who do not believe Mr.. Taft has pur.
sued the proper course.
THE attitude OF abusing a man who
voices an opinion different from that
which you hold Is rank political bigotry
and arises often times from a narrow
vision. This controversy is over a
time-honored doctrine Of the Repub-
| lican party. Aldrich and Cannon took
| the position that they alone understand
| the modern phases Of this great doc
| trine, and that all who differ from their
| judgment no longer belong to the party.
ut is great principle that no man
| shall be deprived Of anything he has
| until he has been heard. The men who
oppose Aldricl1. Cannon and Taft have
a right to their protest, and they are
| neither fools, demagogues, fanatics,
political tricksters nor dfsturbers of the
political peace.
"They will insist upon being heard.
they will not be bluffed by threats nor
discouraged by abuse. They will keep
| on being Republicans and protesting
| is not in Rhode Island. And maybe
they will come out all right Alta
| awhile"