The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-03-30
Realignment of Political Parties.

When Senator Bailey, at the Gallingcr
dinner, departed for moment from his
tribute to the guest of honor and COM
r1ented upon political conditions, he gave
utterance to sentiments which must in
tcrest every student OF American his
tory. From Mr.. Bailey's point OF view
there is a crisis in national affairs almost
as acute as that which precipitated the
civil war He referred to what he called
the trend of socialism. and asserted that
he was old-fashioned enough to believe
that the government founded by Madi
son. Franklin, Hamilton, and Mason was
a better government than the progress
ives of to-day could create. In other
words, Mr.. Bailey appeared as the
apostle OF conservatism. as against the
radical innovations which arc proposed.
Whatever else may be said Of Senator
Bailey. he can never he charged with
lacking the courage OF his convictions.
1t takes a certain amount OF bravery
in these days 10 express opposition to
an apparent determination on the part
OF the people to secure radical changes
in our governmental system. Mr..
Railey j. correct. however, when ne
says that there is a decided trend to-
ward socialism in this country. Not
only is this shown by the increasing
socialIstic vote, but the tendency Of legis-
lation is in that direction The fact
that the lcaven is working here is I'M
mistakahc even though its effect may
not as yet he 50 apparent as in Great
Britain, which has experienced the
movement in larger degree than the
United States especially in the admins
tration of its Municipalities
In a certain sense the political reforms
which are now being agitatcd are So
CaliStic, in that they propose a larger
oomnuniStIc interest in governmental
affairs. The initiative and referendum.
the recall, and the popular election OF
Senators arc all phases Of government
Of which our foretathers never dreamed,
They carry democracy. using the word
in its broad sense, to its farthest limit,
IF the signs Of the times. however. arc
judged Alright. the protests Of Senator
Bailey and other conservatives will be
uttered in win against migrating these
new ideas upon our body polite The
growth OF these innovations has been
persistent and rapid. and the movement
has acquired too much Roadway to be
checked. 1t will have to run its course.
and it will require all the intelligence
and the courage Of the conservatives to
keep it within desirable limits Their
efforts in this direction are by no means
an mmized evil Brakes upon the
wheel Cf progress are sometimes as
necessary as upon the fast-moving auto
mobile or railroad train.
There is another phase of this qucs-
ton which is even more interesting.
1t means that the time is not far dis
tant when there will be a reaIgnment
OF parties IN this country. There are
many Republicans who share Senator
BaiIey's views. Just as there arc many
Democrats who disagree with him. The
old issues which have divided the two
leading political organizations for so
many wears arc already disappearing.
New principles are being enunciated. and
upon these men will associate them
selves without regard to previous polit-
cal convictions This means, OF course,
the disintegration Of the present parties
and the formation of new ones upon
different lines.
The evidences of this rcalignment are
already visible.