The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1910-09-07
POLITICAL HYSTERJA.

w HdI Tic Juotulu& VI kHc pOllti-
cal hysteria" argument that republic
can "standstillers'' are advancing
throughout the country in an effort
to stem the tide of insurgency? Re-
peatedly progressive republicans
have been ikened to populists, free
silver advocates, followers of General
Coxey and Henry George, According
to administration political doctrine.
progressive republicans and insur-
gents are misguided doctrinaires."
"dreamers," "idealists." and where
ever strong enough to be a menace,
they are insane zealots." "plotters."
"maniacs" and fools" What about
It?
Let's 60 back little way in history
for an analysis Of the situation. The
few people who emigrated to this
country from foreign soil. were pro-
gressives Of most pronounced type.
One hundred years before the revolu-
ton the people of jamestown colony
rebelled against the tyranny of the
mother country. A spirit of self reli-
ance and independence was growing
up in the new world.
Then came the war Of the revolu-
ton when the colonies cast Off the
ties of Great Britain and founded a
new government built upon the prin-
eiple that sovereignty rests in all Of
tho people instead of in one ruler The
Declaration Of Independence was .
| statement Of belief; the constitution
Of tho United States drafted at the
close of the war. was the enactment
Of it into law. There was not a stand
patter" or "standstiller" among
those who worked for the success Of
the new republic. They were pro-
gressives in a greater and broader
sense than are any Of those to whom
that name is being applied today.
As time went on the new nation
was plunged into slavery controversy.
Stirring times were those Brother
was arrayed against brother. father
against son, and daughters against
their mothers, until it seemed as if
the republic must fall. Out of this
chaos came a new party led by
Abraham Lincoln whose platform
was the preservation of the union.
No 'standpatters" ever helped form
ulate a new party-only a progress
sive ever does such an untoward
thing.
Now we have travelled a long way
since the days of the Civil war and
| tho problems that called the republi-
can party into being have been sup
planted by new ones. Insofar as pres
ent political parties are honestly en-
deavoring to meet the issues that
confront us as nation. there Is no
need for further political orpanza-
tons. Nobody has attempted one
1t is not an assured fact that anyone
will. But new issues have arisen in
the development of this country in
the last half century Upon those
issues the republican party is divided
AZ Abraham Lincoln once so aptly
said, I'VE do not expect the nation tc
fall, but We do expect that it will
cease to be divided, because 1t can
not permanently endure half slave
and half free" Either the people
must rule this nation for the com.
mon good of ALL or else the Inter
ests' must usurp those rights botf
delegated and inherent, which are the
very foundation of our institutions
Special interests must be elimin
ated from politics Proper publicity
must be given corporation affairs
Corporation funds must cease to in
nuence elections and legislation. Cor
porations must be properly supervis
ed by government officials to main
tain equality of opportunity and
square deal for the small as agains
the rich. In no other way will tn
path to the presidency remain opel
to the poor boy who rises from on
plane of activity to another by shee
force of character and ability.
There is no populism or poppycoc
in principles such as those. Call
what you will, the insurgent move
ment is bound to win because it
right. You may down it in a few pre-
cincts today, but tomorrow it wi
down you. The spirit which CAV
this nation birth has never bee
stifed. 1t is a spirit of independents
and self reliance which has mad
Americans out of our foreign imm
grants i'm only one generation. 1t
the basis of our patriotism. 1t
The New Nationalism" of whic
Colonel Roosevelt speaks, manifest
ing itself in modern suise. 1t wi
, win, just as it always has.