The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-02-16
SPEAKER cANNoN's PLAIN
SPEECH.

Without any previous announcement
Speaker Cannon took the floor the
other day and made a few remarks on
the subject of party loyalty-and what
he said should be bound upon the
broWs OF all men who love a govern
ment of the people by the people. The
informal and unadvertised little speech
has rather taken away the breath Of
some of the noisiest among the in
surgents. They cannot misunderstood
it. And for the most part they are
sensible enough to know the import
ance both of what Mr. Cannon has
said, and what they can read between
the lines.
Freemen govern themselves. In small
bodies they can speak directly. In
large numbers they have to choose
representatives. That they have done
in the case of congress. The congress
has grown TO a great body and rules
for the control of it, for the forward
ing of business, for the transaction of
public affairs have to be adopted Four
hundred men in congress could not de-
liberate, they could not debate, they
could not arrive at facts, and they
could not enact laws without organi-
zation and authority. And rules are
simply one phase of the authority.
On the general question of loyalty to
the nation, of desire that its people be
free and happy and prosperous, all
men Of all parties are agreed. On
means TO those ends they may differ
and so there are parties. 1t happens
the Republican party is now in power.
Its representatives not only may gov
ern. but they must governor power
will be taken away from them. There
comes responsibility. And those in
surgents who want control of the party
To the extent that they would defeat
their party to get it, are placed by Mr..
Cannon's address face to face with a
startling responsibility. 1t is likely to
give them pause.
Some complaint has been made be-
cause President Taft does not more
radically exercise the power of the ex-
ecutive in shaping legislation. The
President is far too wise for that ac
ton. He proposes TO keep his party
together; to convince by reason; to
placate and appeal; to get the desired
results without destroying his party.
He recognizes that the nation has
elected a Republican house and senate
and a Republican President; and he
proposes to show the Republicans of
every shade Of opinion that they are
expected TO give the country right
laws. 1t is their duty That is what
they We're elected for. The stern hand
of a nations mandate is upon them.
They cannot quarrel and fail-and be
excused.
Speaker Cannon reminds them of the
same thing. If their party is right,
they should give that party their cor
dial support. Insurgents declare they
are for the policies Of President Taft.
The speaker points out that those poll
cies can be made effective only by the
concerted action of Republicans.
The address is likely TO have good
effect. II so clearly places the respOn-
sibility. so entirely strips the question
of all factors save those of national
loyalty and national obligation, that it
viii not be ignored.
Both President and speaker have
acted wisely, They have waited till
the right time. Then they have spoken
plainly and temporarily. There is yet
time for the insurgents to realize the
peril of their position, and to retrace
their steps. There is vet time for the
nation TO be advised-as in truth it
should be-that the platform pledges
of the party have not been violated.
and that the defeat of Cannon and Al
drich and the elevation Of LaFollette
and Murdoch could have no effect
greater than a change of personalities.
The nation wants results. And results
can be secured without the sacrifice of
The marty