The Washington herald., 1911-12-05

William Jennings Bryan. whom ''I sup
rorted in two of his three Presidential
campaigns" the Republicans fairly
purred with satisfaction, while Majority
Leader Underwood and many of his fol-
lowing in the House looked pleased all
over. Another section of the united
Democracy of the House looked extreme
ly dubious.
The Smile Came on.
But there was less smiling on the
Democratic side when Mr.. Littleton be-
gan to speak OF progressive and reaC-
tionary Democrats. After informing the
House that Chairman Stanley, of the
Steel investigating committee. had re-
ceived a letter from Mr.. Bryan. in which
the Nebraskan pledged his support to
any move looking TO the expulsion Of
Mr.. LittletOn from the committee, Mr..
LittletOn said:
Even he CMr Rryan). on the circu-
lated falsehoods of this man Martin,
goes off 'half-Cocked' in the CommOner
and assumes, first, that the chairman or
any member Of the committee had dared
to demand my retirement from the com
mittee: second. that the question Of my
retirement from the committee was be
fore the House, and. third and most
astonishing. that the question of my re-
tirement from this committee could be
settled because | dared to have any con-
viCtions OF my own. 10 exercise any
judgment, appeal to any canon of jus
tiCe. or vote in accordance with any opin-
ion Of my own. And let me say here and
now, IL in my service upon a committee
loyalty to my PARTY requires me to do as
l am bid. either by the corrupt ali
ances of Henry 3. Martin or the intOler-
ant outside influences represented by
William J. BRYAN. or the combined in
fluenCe OF both, I shall refuse to obey
the mandate of my party and shall prefer
to subscribe myself to the obligations of
my oath.
discretionary" or ''Progressive."
In this article am condemned be-
cause 1t is said that I am thorough
going reeCtionary. I confess to some be-
uilderment over the prefixes progressive
and reaCtionary. In my humble judg-
ment there is a distinct class of politi-
clans whose preJudiccs are progressive.
but whose principles are reaCtionary.
Men who never tire of arousing hopes by
their appeals to prejudice which they
can never make real by the application
n their principles. They are in truth
genuine reaCtiOnaries because they set
themselves in the path Of progress and
when the wheels have passed over them,
they rush to the front and set themselves
down again These leaders of progress
sive prejudiCes and reaCtiOnary reform
overlook the fact that real progress Is
the unfolding energy of the whole people
working the miracle of civilization
through the Irresistible industry and un-
fettered genius of a progressive race
That progress is the real achievement
wrought by the real labor Of real men
and directed by the upbuilding wisdom
Of constructive and creative man. That
Inc government should not unduly
shaCkle its strength or restrain its robust
vlgOrs. They seem 20 think that progress
is the quick and Unquestionng apprOpria-
tion of every untried experiment instead
of the slow and patient building OF the
years. | may misjudge the future, but
in my humble opinion the party that
seeks to reach the seat OF power by gath
Cring together the progressive prejudiCes
of the country and setting itself against
the substantial and sensible progress Of
an ambitious people will find itself buried
beneath an overwhelming disaster"
At the conclusion of Mr.. Littleton's
speech he was given quite an ovation in
which both sides of the House Joined
and large number of his Democratic
colleagues, led by Chairman Henry. Of
the rules committee, came forward to
clasp his hand warmly.