The Washington herald., 1910-11-12
DR.. ABBOTT GIVES
VIEWS ON DEFEAT
Republican Waterloo to Be
Explained in Outlook.

New York. Nov. 11.-Dr Lyman Abbott.
editor Of the Outlook. OF which ar.
Roosevelt is a contributing editor. to-
day gave out his CDR. Abbott's) interpre-
tation OF the recent election embodied in
an editorial TO appear In the next issue
OF that publication. DR.. Abbott's survey
OF the results follow;
-The popular dissatisfaction with pres
ent conditions especially with the high
prices; Indignation at the manifest con-
troll 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 hypocritical pre-
lenses disclosed in certain influential Re
publican circles. coupled with the forget
fuiness OF the fact that the exposure and
the prosecution were furnished by Re
publieans; a growing conviction that
there was an alliance between the special
interests and the Republican oligarchy;
with the belief that the easiest way TO hit
IL was by voting with the opposition: in
difference in an election which, TO many
voters. appeared 10 be a contest rather
between persons than between principles
an impression which a too personal cam
paign tended TO increase; a general ineli-
nation I'm America TO make change in
political control from time TO time. an in
eination which the political conditions
that prevailed in solid States does much
TO Justify; some fears in certain quarters,
not less politically effective because
wholly underlined, lest~the specter of
radicalism should work havoc TO business
interests; the fact that the Republican
party was divided between the insurgents
and the regulars, while the Democratic
party. freed from the traditions OF Cleve-
land and the personality OF Bryan. was
for tho first time in years united-ail
these causes combined TO bring about a
political revolution.
Insurgents show Strength.
''But DO not believe the election indi-
Gates a reaction and revolution. The facts
that in every State except Indiana where
there was "A definite popular insurgent
movement within the Republican party
which succeeded that party succeeded in
the election; that in every State EXCEPT
where there was no such movement with
IN the party, or where II failed, the Re-
publican party failed IN the election:
that. with the single exception OF the Sen
ator from Indiana, no Senator who was
retired by failure 10 secure either A re-
nomination or a reelection represents
the progressive element I'm the party.
that or the governors elected decided
majority represent the progressive rather
than the reactionary elements in their
respective parties. including such repre-
sentatives or progressive thought as
Woodrow Wilson on the Atlantic Coast
and Hiram Johnson on the Pacific; that
the insurgents are insurgents no longer.
but are recognized as leaders Of the Re-
publican party, all indicate that the cleo
ton, which is a signa@ triumph Of the
Democratic party, is not a defeat OF pro-
gressive principles, and does not indicate
a decadenee OF the progressive spirit.
Nor do I think that the jack-o'- lantern
bugabOo OF Mr.. ROsevelt's imagined
monarchial ambitions cut any cOnsIdera-
bls figure in the election. The fact that
the greatest falling on in the Republican
vote was in the State OF Pennsylvania,
where his voice was not once heard In
the campaign, Is significant If not con-
elusive upon the point. The simple fact is
that a Democratic triumph was publicly
predicted by both Democrats and Repub-
leans eight months ago and was foreshad-
owed by the enforced retirement of Mr..
Aldrich and Mr.. Hale from the Senate
and by the Maine election in September.
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 prOgressives IN his own
party. carried forward in his own State
the work of party publication so well
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