The Washington herald., 1911-02-09

While it is still the grand old Repub-
lican party. which will come back to
power in 1917, and the universe will last
just as long as said party. it was per-
fectly apparent last night at the seventh
annual banquet of the League of Re
publican State Clubs. held in the Airing
the speakers and possibly the hearers
Never did more eloquent orators spend
more time and beautiful language prov
ing beyond all peradventufe Of a doubt
that the only really progressive party
known to science or political campaigns
was the aforesaid Republican This
earnest dwelling upon the undoubted pro-
gressiveness Of the G. o. p. was supple
mented by ardent appeals for co-opera-
tion and getting together. albeit there
was not perfect harmony of opinion
among those present.
President Taft was not on hand. E. c.
Snyder, president of the league and
toastmaster last night, said Mr. Taft
intended up to noon to be there. but had
suddenly come upon such a rush Of
business that he could not get away.
Leaders Among Absentees.
Speaker Joe Cannon was on the card.
but it was stated that he was under the
weather and his physician had positively
refused to allow him to leave home.
Vice President Sherman. Gov. Benjamin
r. Hooper, Of Tennessee. and Repre-
sentative Julius Kahn, of California,
were also absent, although billed to make
speeches.
Representative Nicholas IonSworth, of
Ohio. and Representative John J. Gard
ner. of New Jersey. were substitute ora
tors. and both acquitted themselves
nobly.
Mr Longworth said that there would
certainly be solid delegation from Ohio
to the next Republican national conven-
ton to vote for Mr.. Taft, and that Ohio
would give Mr.. Taft substantial ma
iority at the polls.
Mr.. Longworth was the only speaker to
come right out in the open and boldly dis
cuss reciprocity. which. it was thought,
would he the main topic OF the evening
Probably the fact that the President was
expected to talk on that subject caused
the other speakers to steer clear Of il
out of respect for him.
I'VE Republicans have been called un-
progressive said Mr.. Longworth. why
We have passed more constructive meas
than any other party in the history of
the country. We have just agreed to a
tariff board and it will become estab-
Eshed if the project is not stopped by the
Democrats.
Il am in favor Of a tariff board, one
that will he on hand all the time and
meet conditions as they arise-one that
VIII handle the tariff subject by subject
Favors Reciprocity Pact.
And / want to say, although some
may not agree with me. l am in favor
of reciprocity with Canada. say this,
/ came from the State which
produced the greatest tariff advocate and
expert we have ever known-William
Nc kinley. I hope we have reciprocity.
William Mckinley and the last steps by
William Howard Taft"
The great care of Mr.. Longworth to
point out the progressiveness Of the Re
publican party was the keynote of the
evening. Also. by innuendo and direct |
statement. those in the party who call |
themselves Republican prcgressves' |
were held up as subjects for sad con- |
by loyal sons Of the G.. 0. p
John Hays Hammond, president Of the |
league, was particularly strong on the |
of the party itself In |
his opening address he said:
To-day. il. order to gain favor, GER
tain persons within our ranks must use
The. word progressive but 1 say the
word is Pathological I refer to the Ma
iOnal Republican Progressive League
or the use of the word in the wrong
sense. The word Republican itself i'm
plies progress, and no great measure
or the last twenty years has come into
'xist"noe in this country except on the
initiative Of the Republicans I was asked |
the new organization would conflict
With our league. knowing some Of the
men in their ranks as l did, and 1 did
lot say it sneeringly or disparagingly, 1
eplied that I thought not.
Would Be Disloyalty.
II know that the men in that organiza-
ion would know that opposition to the
Republican party would be disloyalty.
nd that opposition to the administration
would be fruitless. 1 would like them
o remember that the motto of our league
5 Peace, Progress, and Prosperity
hey should bear in mind that judgment
s well as enthusiasm is necessary, and
hat good intentions are oftenskesponsi-
lie for the worst singing in the choir.
I
ze in Mr.. Taft one of the greatest
residents in the history of the country,
nd that the leaders regard him as the
est asset of the party. He is not busy
lg himself about the candidate for 1872
s much as I, perhaps, think he should,
ut the leaders realize his worth. and
ne next national convention will be for
i'm by an overwhelming majority. We
( the league have always been for Taft,
nd will be again..
Toastmaster Snyder, in introducing Mr..
hammond, said the league was formed
| Washington seven years ago with rep
esentatives from four States. and that
ow it had representatives from twenty
We States.
IF 1 had to write the party motto, it
ould be to the effect that we all get
,gether for more union and for the
,mmon good" ne continued. If we do |,
OF, war will overtake us. And / would
Id that the civil employees Of the gov
get their proper increases in
ay.'
Keeping Close Hauled.
Representative Gardner was panied {
eeply by what he called many times
,e adverse winds that had blown
yer some Of The New Jersey delegation
long with others. He pointed the G. o.
to the wind and agreed that it was
eeping mighty close hansed these days.
e recommended that the present course
> kept, and that there be no Keeping
r. and sailing backward with sails
ellied out by the tickle winds Of passing
assion or mistaken Judgment III