The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-11-15
ABSOLVES I. R.
DR.. Lyman AbbOtt'S Views
on Election.
PROGRfSSIVfS ARE UNFRAMED
Editor of THE Outlook" Declares
Roosevelt is Not TO Blame For
Democratic Sweep Foreshad-
owed Months Ago.

owed montns ago.
New York, Nov. 12.-Dr. Lyman Alb
bolt, editor OF the outlook. OF which
Colonel Roosevelt Is contributing edi-
tor, gave out his Interpretation OF the
recent election embodied In an edi-
torial to appear In the next issue OF
that publication.
Dr. Abbott says;
Popular dissatisfaction with pres
ent conditions. especially with the high
prices; indignation at the manifest
control OF the special interests OF the
tariff revision and still more at the
defenses and eulogies OF the tariff bill;
wrath at the corruption and the hypo-
critical pretenses disclosed In certain
influential Republican circles, coupled
with the forgetfulness OF the fact that
the exposure and the prosecution were
furnished by Republicans; a growing
conviction that there was an alliance
between the special interests and the
Republican oiigarchy; with the BELIEF
that the easiest way To hit at II was
by voting with the opposition; indiner'
ence IN an election which to many vot-
ers appeared to be a contest rather
between persons than between princl-
ples-an impression which a topper
sonal campaigning tended TO increase
"A general inclination in America to
make a change in political control
from time to time. an inclination
which the political conditions that pre-
vailed in solid states does much to
Justify; some fears in certain quar-
ters, not less politically effective be-
cause wholly underlined. lest the spec
ter OF radicalism should work havoc
to business interests; the fact that
the Republican party was divided be-
tween the insurgents and the regulars,
while the Democratic party. freed from
the traditions OF Cleveland and the
personality Of Bryan. was for the first
time In years united-all these causes
combined to bring about a political
revolution.
Not a Progressive Defeat.
But do not believe the election
indicates a reaction and revolution.
The fact that In every state except In
diana, where there was definite pop
ular insurgent movement within the
Republican party which succeeded,
that party succeeded in the election;
that in every state except Pennsylva'
mia where there was no such move
ment within the party or where 1t
failed the Republican party failed in
the election: that with the single ex-
ception OF the senator from Indiana
no senator who was retired by failure
to secure either a denomination or a
reelection represents the progressive
element in the party; that OF the gov
ernors elected a decided majority rep
resent the progressive rather than the
reactlonary element In their respective
parties. including such representatives
of progressive thought as Woodrow
Wilson on the Atlantic coast and
Hiram Johnson on the Pacific; that
the insurgents are insurgents no long
er, but are recognized as leaders in
the Republican party-all Indicate that
the election which Is a signal triumph
Of the Democratic party is not a de-
feat OF progressive principles and does
not indicate a decadence Of the pro
gressive spirit.
Nor do | think that the Jacko-
Lantern bugaboo OF Mr. Rooseveits
imagined mOnarchial ambitions cut
any considerable figure in the cleo
ton. The fact that the greatest fall
ing of in the Republican vote was In
the state OF Pennsylvania where his
voice was not once heard in the cam
palgn is significant II not conclusive
upon the point
"The simple fact is that a Demo
cratic triumph was publicly predicted
by both Democrats and Republicans
eight months ago, and was foreshad-
owed by the enforced retirement OF
Messrs AldrIch and Hale from the SEN
ate and by the Maine election in Sep
TENDER; Mr. Roosevelt was called In
to save the situation; he responded to
the call, but could not turn the tide.
He did something more important; he
heartened the progresslves in his own
party. carried forward in his own state
the work OF party publication so wei
begun by Mr. Hughes and did some
thing to inspire with the spirit OF gen.
uine and national democratic progress
the party OF his political opponents"