The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-06-24

0Dad. Anu nO~f uay< ddS ia '---s-A--
II has taken so years to complete
this marvellous machine. and 1t never
worked so perfectly as on Us last
day. Fifty years OF. organizing and
building by the ablest political me
chanics-and just as II reached me-
chapical perfection 1t is thrust aside
because the people won't have II.
Probably no political machine IN
the history of civilization ever work
ed with such scientific precision as
this party machine is working during
the Republican convention.
The national committee was under
complete control OF the power that
built the machine. Every move made
In preparation for the convention was
harmonious Every possible assault
was anticipated and a perfect de-
Tense prepared.
Having control OF all arrangements
for the convention, the committee
massed the standpat delegations in
front. and scattered the progressive
delegations.
The big delegations from New York
and Indiana were directly in front OF
the platform. and in the aisle were
massed heavy Chicago policemen.
husky secret service agents and pow
'erful sergeants-at-arms.
Oklahoma was away back in the
rear-C California on one side OF the
house, and Ohio on the other.
Had any progressive state delega-
ton started for the platform II would
have been stopped in its tracks by
burly policemen and sergeants-at-
arms. And even had the delegates
nyerthrown the officers nearest them,
they had still to get through narrow
aisles past the big standpat delega-
lions. and then the last bulwark OF
police and secret service men.
Every entrance to the convention
hall was guarded by small army OF
pclicemen-ready for any attempt by
gecgevelt enthusiasts 10 storm the
hall.
Every officer of the convention was
picked man And the seats OF
guests had been gwen out TO friends
Of the administration and the Old
Guard.
On the stage and en- the floor were
the shrewdest political minds the so
years of Republican party develop
ment has produced
Murray, Crane, Boies, Penrose. Will
lam Barnes, Jr.-cold, keen and mar
velously cunning ct the old political
game--giants among political bosses.
And O host OF lesser bosses all the
way down to congressional districts.
Assault after assault was made by
the emotional and enthusiastic bu.
unorganized progressives--but the
rigid line Of the Old Guard never
wavereG II was soft human flesh
trying 10 batter down steel armor.
An the line held, and the progress
sivss feii back to gather for a fresh
attack, the steelnerved generals of
the OLD Guard complacently and IN
dulgently smiled.
Yet that human force that repeat
edly buried itself against the Old
Guard was tremendously interesting.
II WAS enthusiastic, but blind.
It fought to seize the old machine.
Not 70 use II for the old purposes,
but To make 1t work for the good OF
the many rather than for the selfish
purposes OF the few.
II fonsght for name. a symbol. q
habit. . uniform.
For the hight was made by men
who thought there was magic In a
name, virtafe In a uniform. integrity
IA badge
And when every assault had been
rcpulsedl -ofily when they. found they
couldk't shaFe Il. did their eyes open
wide 90 they saw II as It was-and II
was something they didn't need and
didn't want
Then with wide-open eyes they
turned away from the thing they
sought--the thing for which they so
desperately fought-they turned away
from n; and they faced the rising sun
and marched boldly, fearlessly and tri-
nmphantly away from dead though
brilliant past.
Men were free. And they saw IN
the light OF the new sun millions OF
glad faces, and millions Of open arms.