The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-08-09
Meaning of insurgency.


Insurgency" says Alton b. Parker,
''is fight for control in the Republican
party.
In its very narrow definition. it may
be something of that sort. but the late
defeated White House aspirant shows d
Characteristic lack Of grasp in so defn-
ing it.
Insurgency, in its real meaning. is a
fight. not for control OF the Republican
party. but in resistance of existing con-
ditions with which the country. practical
~ from one end to the other. is now
wholly dissatisfied
The fight is directed, for the present,
naturally. against the party in power,
which must logically. bear the brunt
and be held accountable. Just as readily
and relenuessly will the fight be directed
against the Democratic party, If, per-
chance that party should elect a major
ity Of the House, as Mr. Parker so con-
idently predicts, and then fail to show
progressiveness and an honest desire to
NNAAfCL NAiollllH CoAAlilulS-
Insurgency IS nonpartisan, or rapidly
becoming so. In one form or another It
has developed, and is still developing. In
every section. East. West, North. and
south-an are more or less impregnated
with IT, Scarcely a state OF the Union
has escaped a combat with this thing
called insurgency.
Failure to adjust the tariff as the ulti-
mate consumer-sneered at in high quar-
ters-believed II ought to be adjusted
gave an impetus to general insurgency.
but locally it had long been in potent,
menacing evidence.
Calmly appraised. the growth of in
surgency gives no cause for pessimism
or apprehension. On the contrary. the
philosopher and patriot may view It with
the utmost complaeeney. In essence. in
surgency means not the narrow thing
which Alton B. Parker narrowly thinks
it means-internecine warfare in the
Republican party which affords the
opposition the partisan chance Of its life.
II means a wholesome growth Of political
independence. increasing distrust Of the
party machine, and a rising demand for
representative, popular government such
as its founders intended this govern
ment TO be.
II means that the people, short sightedly
content in the past to rule by proxy, are
now determined 10 rule directly. And
every rational observer who is watching
the trend Of events must be at once con-
WINGED that such a consummation is in
evitably bound to be reached.
When it is reached, whatever its effects
upon the fortunes Of the Republican and
Democratic parties. it viii unquestionably
be found, as It always has been found
that the people can be trusted TO rule
through the ballot sanely and we'll and
that the country's material interests will
in no wise be endangered.
To Theodore Roosevelt. more than 10
any other American-not excepting the
pioneer La Toilette, the earnest but Oft
impolitic Bryan, or the rising apostle
CuEmins-the taking root of Insurgency
In the land is to be most fully accredited
He set the people to thinking-taught
them the virtue Of independence. and
pointed the way VIII Roosevelt again
lead? Heretofore his leadership has beer
uniformly along the lines of party regu-
larity. The situation has changed, and
changed radically. since the close Of his
regime. He could not check the insur-
gency which he created II he tried. OF
control it in any direction save that in
which it is determined TO go.
Led by Theodore Roosevelt. the insur.
gent movement would succeed trium.
phantly, no doubt Without his leader.
ship. It will go on and succeed lust as
deeisiyely, In the end, we verify believe.