Potosi journal. (Potosi, Mo.) 1894-1929, 1910-03-23

Au 'He "l1 icatiS Liic news
from Washington these days can
not but be impressed with the alto
gether obvious fact that there Is a
serious disagreement in the Repuh-
lican ranks in Congress. which, it
may be added, may be taken AS a
reflex of the condition of the par
ty. When we see enough 6f the
so-called Republican insurgents in
the lower house acting with the
Democrats to the serious interfer-
ence with the procedure of the
regular organization of the Repub-
lican majority, it is time to take
notice of things in spite of the long
spun editorials of the ''inapired"
party papers that the ipsuroent
movement does not amount to any
thing and that the Republican par
ty will proceed urdisturbed by a
little rnction in the ranks. Per-
haps this is true, but it would be
just as well to look into the reason
of this party disse nsion and, what
ever it is, meet it in the spirit of
fairness and with such concessions
as may tend to cement the whole
party in harmonious union again.
1t is true the Republican party has
met similar disseusions before and
successfully wlthstood them. In
1896 it read a gocdly portion of
its members out Of the party on
the silver question without much
harm to itself. but let it be remem
bered that the conditions now are
not the same as they were then,
for the free silver movement alien
ated almost as many Democrats
and drove them to act with the
Republicans as that party lost TO
the Democrats. In the present
case however we see the Democrats
in congress lined up pretty solid
and aggressive against Republican
policies, and it is with this we'll
ordered fighting force that enough
disaffected Republicans are aiIyiny
themselves to upset the proceed
ings of the regular majority and
the policies of the administration.
While we are no sympatizer with
the insurgent movement, we re-
cognize the fact the neither one
element or the other of this party
strife has the monopoly of right
on its own side. 1t is not probable
that the insurgent Republicans ure
expressing simply their personal
convictions in their actions, they
have undoubtedly the support of a
large constituency behind them.
from which they have heard, and
that is what Is going to count if
the fight is to be carried up to the
elections next fall. We have little
patience with those big administra-
ton organs which contend that the
only way to settle this matter is,
that the insurgents must either
give in or get out. History is full
of political parties wrecked upon
the rock of their own overbearance
and arrogance. Having the sup,
port Of their constituency, which
is still Republican, the insurgency
must have some justice in its
cause, and the sincere regret of all
Republicans who hold the welfare
of their party uppermost is, that the
insurgentshave been driven TO carry
their cause to the party in oppo-
sition. This course Of the regular
faction of the Republicans in con-
gress seems to be bringing recruits
to the ranks of the insurgents ard
is opening Il gap IN the l'ariy that
may let the enemy through to vic
tory next fail. What the Kepub-
lican party needs most of all just
now is common sense in the leader
ship Of both factions that will lend
itself 10 mutual concessions and
unity Of action. Unless this hap
pens and right speedily. the spirit
of concord will take tn wings be-
yond recall.
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