The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-10-29

now not as hopeful as they should be. They are suspicious of the foundations of their business. They are convinced that something inequitable lies at the basis of the great power which small bodies of men now exercise in the busi- Less world. These are the conditions not of prosperity, but of disquiet. and there IS only one remedy for them-the demedy W Which progressives seek. They seek it. not with hostility to business, but with hostility to the present conditions which make wholesome business impossible. They are seeking the facts. They. are analysing them without fear or favor, and they are seeking remedies which will meet them.
 Tt is worth whiue to note that the chief representatives of the progressive po- itical thought of the country are the men who are hard students, who always go into debate furnished from top to toe with the facts of the case they are dis cussing; that their speeches are not in famed with rhetoric, but bristle with yer ifable facts. They are seeking adjust nlent, accommodations of interest. They make startling statements but they sel- dom propose startling changes in our law. They merely propose sober regula ton. They are fighting not business, but tlle determination by limited bodies of
 
 stall take. They cannot be silenced. They cannot be shunted on one side. They are speaking the opinions and convic lions of the people. Once intrusted with authority. they will accomplish their ob jects with the self possession and mod eration of statesmen and patriots.
 But where are they? What is their organization for success? What pros pect have they of controlling the af- fai of cfa of We act by parties and must always do so Parties are but organizations of men of like conviction and purpose, for common objects, They cannot effect the necessary concert unless they join themselves in united CO., operative bodies. The only organiza ton now at the disposal of the pro- gressive thought of the country is the democratic party. There are thous- republican party, and they are led by men of extraordinary ability and equipment But they are in a minority in their own party. They are not in control of it's organization. They can not use it to accomplish their objects They are thwarted by it's leaders. The democratic party, on the other hand, is in control of it's progressive ele- ments; stands nearer the people and the facts that does the republican party as an organization. It Is ready and free and determined to act. It's counsels have been accommodated to the circumstances and needs of a new age. It is no more radical than the progressive element of the republican party. It's radicalism, like theirs, con sists simply in the determination to face realities and devise suitable remedies, remedies which will heal, not exasperate; remedies which will quiet existing distempers and furnish bushes with its only conceivable permanent basis-the basis of univer- | sal confidence.S , It is capable of com mon counsel, because it Is united, and by common counsel it will unquestion- ably produce a programme of action which will bring in a new era of Quietude and prosperity. Things cannot go on as they are. and only the democratic party is ready | to alter them. It's leaders come from every quarter of the country; are in l touch with conditions of every kind , are keenly aware of the careful ac- 1 commodations which are necessary if ! a whole nation is to be properly served {; Z have the points of view of populations of many kinds, living in many circum- | stances. Arc not these the conditions ] of progress and enlightment and | achievements"