The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-11-15


what the democrats are going to do
for the future of the new party as a
Iseparate organization must depend
very largely on the manner in which
the democratic party meets the re.
Isponsibilities of its new position.
AS for Mr.. Roosevelt himself, all de-
pends upon the attitude he now takes
toward the problems which confront
Jus. If he still aspires to a third term,
he will prove dead weight to the
new organization rather than an in
spiration In so far as human calcula-
ton is possible. the third term idea
seems to have received its quietus,
and the chances are that before the
next election the states will be ratify.
ing an amendment to the constitution
limiting the president to single term.
Pr1Se for Roosevelt.
If. Mr. Roosevelt lays aside his am
bition and determines to devote him
self to the unselfish propagation of
progressive ideas, he will soon recover
what he has lost in public esteem and
make himself a moral force in the
nation. A mans moral force depends
very largely upon the unselfshness of
his efforts, and this rule applies to Mr..
Roosevelt as well as to others.
The ex-prssident is a man of great
ability and wonderful energy, he has
an enthusiastic following Of
his supporters being almost idolatrous
| in their attachment If he win give
them a chance to believe that he is
working wholly for the public, their
Admiration will know no bounds. Time
will show whether Mr.. Roosevelt is
willing to enlist under the banner of
another and fight in the ranks, or
whether he will insist on carrying the
standard himself.
The democratic party has won a
great yictory-not greater than was
claimed, but greater than most of the
democrats expected--for claims usual
lily outrun expectations. The triumph
lis complete and the responsibility is
commensurate with it. 1t is too early
yet to analyze the returns and deter
mine just what causes have been most
potential in contributing to the re-
Isults
Democrats Must Progress.
1t is too early even to compare with
accuracy the real strength of the par
ties. We do not know yet whether the
democratic party has made material
gain in the number of its voters or
whether its success is due entirely to
the division in the republican party.
|If the complete returns show a large
gain in the democratic vote it will
furnish encouragement to believe that
the party has made a permanent adj
vance. IT, however, the victory must
be credited wholly to a division in the
republican party, the democratic party
will have even more reason to be on
its good behavior, for a failure to rise
to the requirements of the occasion
will not only disappoint the democrats
but will reunite the republicans.
Governor Wilson showed remark
able wisdom and discretion in dealing
with the problems which arose in the
campaign; he has more than fulfilled
the expectations of those who favored
his nomination. His progressiveness
has been more and more emphasized
as he has taken up the questions with
which he has had to deal, and he will
enter the office with the confidence.
not only of his own party but of the
opposition as well.
Democrats Face Split.
There is no Disgusting the fact, how
ever. that while the great body of the
democratic party is progressive earn
estly and actively progressive-there
is a reactionary element which has
more influence than its numbers JUS
tify. This element of couse, will seek
to retard progress. but it will be op-
posed by the rank and file of the party
and by the progressive leaders. The
very fact that the new party is now
second in numbers and enthusiasm will
in itself strengthen the progressives
in the democratic party for the fight
before them.
The party's hope for the future de-
pends upon it's fidelity to the progress
sive cause Any turning back would
be fatal. Expediency, therefore, will
join hands with principle in compell-
ing the party to advance to the fulfill
ment of its pledges.
Great Chance For Party.
Under the leadership of man like
Governor Wilson, who has demonstrat-
ed not only capacity, but courage and
conscience also, there is every reason
IN haIiava that thp democratic narty