The Cecil Whig., 1910-09-10
WHAT DOES INSURGENCY WANT

TT MIGHT be valuable contribu-
ton to the carihcation OF things
if some one would come forward
with clean-tut statement of just
what it is the insurgents" are after
what definite and understandable
items are supposed to constitute their
program. 1t is little difficult to in
telligently discuss subject until the
subject has been dehnitively stated. The
lack OF definite statement seems to be
an obvious weakness in the ''insur-
gency" movement Thus far it has
been a good deal in the mature OF a
fireworks performance. This has, OF
course detracted nothing from its
popularity The folks dearly love a
full show, wherein bombs are bursting
in air and red fire incarnadines, all
objects But ente tainment is not
achievement. Fireworks may serve
for an hours diversion, but nothing
more Where battles are to be fought,
ammuniticn and aim are called for.
Thus far the insurgency" movement
seems to be wanting i'll both. That
noticeable fact has not interfered with
its political successes, in certain quar-
tiers. because "clap-trap" is not infre-
quently as effective as ought else, when
ii comes to political manouvering.
But a political pelt gathered here and
there cannot justify the insurgency
fad as a permanent program OF states
manship The sober second thought
has to come, and when it does come,
it comes with an insistent demand for
Z definite statement. When anything
ike such a definite statement ISSUES
from the ranks OF insurgency it sounds
so harmless or orthodox, II you
please, that one wonders what all this
insurgency is Tor after all-except
to help Mr.. Out give Mr.. In lick
ing in primary fight These rehec-
tons are especially elected by con
temptation OF the recently promulgat-
ed platform OF the Kansas Republican
Convention. Kansas is aiire with in
surgency doctrine. Kansas is gen
orally afire with some new political
mission. At this particular time it
happens to be insurgency-with Sera-
tor Briston and Victor Murdock as its
burning and shining lights. Some
| thing in the way OF a challenging, per-
haps a cataclysmic, message might be
expected from that Kansas conven-
ton. But it failed to arrive. We
| search the platform in VAN for any
thing to which most Republicans will
not subscribe with aacrity and pride,
| The great mass OF valuable legislation
| enacted by the recent Congress is re-
viewed and commended. The Payne
| Aldrich tariff is condemned and a re-
vision OF the tariff, schedule by sche-
| duie, by a special commission. is call
| ed for. But this is exactly the posi-
ton OF President TAFT and one OF the
ve"v finest achievements Of the Ma
| tional Administration is the creation
Of a Tariff Commission, which can
take this subject out OF the political
arena and make il matter FOR nteli-
! gent. economic adjustment, as 1t ought
| to be. What is insurgency wanting
to 90, that is not being quietlv and ef-
fectively done by the present National
Administration? Or course. if in
surgency' means Democratic tariff
doctrine-but the insurgents" are
Mortified al the merest hint Of such a
| thing. 60 that one is at a loss to
know just what il IS which they stand
for that can give them distinctive clas-
sihcation and name. 1t seems a lit
lie ridiculous to label every man an
insurgent (and put him in class
who happens TO possess some indi-
vdua.ity OF opinion and backbone.
BIT this is about all the thing amounts
to. so far as we can see. When 1t
comes 10 the fundamentals to the
heart cf the creed of the Republican
party; to the recognition OF the great
constructive character OF that party,
to the recognition Of what il has con
tributcd 10 the development OF the
Commonwealth in the past and what it
is achieving in the present; when ii
comes to the real historic basis for
party existence and perpetuity, the
sincere insurgent is as good Repub-
ican as another. In great party,
with a great mission. there is room
for many men Of many minds Steam
| IS only dangerous in vessel too small
l. "a