Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-12-10
THE OPPOSITION PARTY,
WHENCE WILL 1T COME?

Under system OF government IKE IhdC VI IhS
United States no matter how sweeping partys vic
tory at the polls may be or how we'll its conduct and
policies may suffice the needs of the time there
will always be active party of opposition; and for
the good of the country, there always should be-
This will be as true after March the fourth next as
It was a year or a decade ago. 1t is inconceivaoie
that the incoming Democratic administration VIII go
It's way without criticism or challenge. And it is
fortunate for Democracy, we'll as for the people,
that such will be the case for thus the party will be
kept continually on its mettle and will be stimulated
70 render it's best possible service; it will be warned
AGAINST abuses of power and held to the straight
path of patriotic duty.
From what quarter, then, may the Democrats look
for this inevitable opposition? There are some who
believe that it viii find its center and spokesmanship
in the socalled Progressive" or Roosevelt party.
The historic Republican party they tell U.S. is dead
and done for and will again furnish an effective
raIlying point of opposition to Democracy.
This view we believe, is altogether erroneous. 1t
is not with the pelmel disciples of Mr. Roosevelt,
but with the sobersided old adherents Of the Repub
Hcan faith that Democrats must reckon in future
politics There is mo- denying the fact that there
would been third party in the last national
campaign without the personal factor of Mr. Roosevelt
himself His was the leadership, the incentive to
that hot-headed adventure; and when we have con-
ceded as we DO the sincerity to the rank and
file of his followers the fact remains that except for
his disappointment having lost the Republican
nomination and his thirst for vengeance, he would
not have championed insurgent cause. These con-
ditions are of great Importance, for no party that
depends for its life and inspiration any one man
can endure. Such movements may be wondrouslX
picturesque and jealous, but the suddenness with
which they rise merely presages the suddenness Of
their decline
There were people who believed that by sheer
personal force Mr. Roosevelt would sweep back into
power. But from voting impulse, the mass OF
citizens cast their ballots with unusual deliberate
ness and the verdict emphatically against Mr.
Roosevelt and his methods and policies. He emerged
from the campaign with splintered lance and droop
ing plume and evidently his name is no longer one
to conjure with. He has recently announced that
he will not again lead the new party. He may or
may not change his mind. In any event, that partys
fortunes and Mr.. Roosevelt's one and, with him
out Of the reckoning, it will cease to be of force
But let us suppose that the third party is indie
pendent of this PERSONAL element; let us judge Its
future solely byts professed principles 1t has been
truly said that "a distinct party has to have some
thing distinctive" In order to persist, it must rep
resent national pocc for which neither of the other
parties stand it must bid fair to accomplish results
which neither of the others can bring about is this
true of the socaled Progressive" party? Certainly
it is not. - E ~ .,4sr1 =
Many of the things advocated in its program are
matters for State, not for Federal action Most OF
its principles which are practical praiseworthy
are already embodied in one, if not in BOTH Of the
other parties. It's one distinctive feature in the
campaign was the fact that it Mr.. Rooseyets
vehicle for thirdterm quest. 1t advocated con-
nuance of the protective tariff along lines already
marked out; but so did the Republican party. 1t
clanored for the overthrow of political bosses, but
the Democrats had already wrought that doctrine
into definite results at the Baltimore convention. 1t
urged the conservation of natural resources and so
did the Democratic and the Republican platforms.
The truth is when the socalled Progressive" pro-
gram is sfted of its generaties and reduced to its
specific terms, there remains nothing on which to
define much less to maintain, separate party
It is to be note furthermore, that this spasmodic
movement has appreciable strength in either
house of Congress, nor, with a few exceptions, in
the State legislatures It is unorganized it is
indefinite. 1t lacks the means, the machinery with
which to accomplish practical results
OF such himsy and scattered material no opposi-
ton party worthy the name can be made. 1t is not
from the Roosevelt quarter therefore that Democracy
may expect its antagonist, but from the old Repub
lican camp. Mr.. Taft's overwhelming defeat is by
no evidence that the Republican party is dead,
or that the characteristic policies for which it has
stood are buried. The Republican party has many
abuses which it must shake of f4t is survive, but
it has an organization and following that
its continuance; in short, it has the material
which an oposition party can be maintained.
What is termed "progressivism" is now to be on
trial through the Democratic party. Should Democ-
racy fail in its task the consequent reaction would
be toward Republican policies not toward the radical
nostrums Of the Roosevelt cause.
Democracy indie d, is the true progressive party
of the nation the party to which the rank and file
of citizens who perceive the need of certain changes
in the administration of their government look for
service How important, therefore, that it remain
faithful to the great trust which the people have
committed to it's keeping!
The price of Christmas presents is still high