Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1912-07-18
RooseveIt's New Party.

Mr.. Roosevelt demands new par
y notwithstanding Governor wilson,
nomination by the Democrats. What
ever the motive, the argument is tina.
Wilson'S nomination for the Pres
densy does not renovate the Demo
cratic party in its local organiza-
lions. Standing by itself this areu-
ment is impressive. Republicans ma
Well hesitate to join the Democratic
party as at present organized. even
though its candidate for President
measures up to all their require
ments. Where would be the gain TO
them i'll leaving party OF Tafts and
Roots and Lorimers for one OF Ryans
and Murphys and Taggarts and Sui
l!vans? And of course all such bosses
will stick; if only they would go over
10 the party of Taft, Republicans
might come into the party of Viii
SOFIA swap that wouldn't hurt the
Republican party and would improve
the Democratic. But the bosses can't
be driven out. 1t is only sinking
ships that rats abandon. The argu-
ment for a new party has that much
in its favor, the pertinacity of the
Democratic bosses; but it has much
against it. For instance, such a par
y at this juncture would be regard
ed by progressive Democrats with
suspicion that would discourage
them from going into new party
OF Republican antecedents when the
time for one was really ripe. The
new party can hardly serve any pur-
pose at all useful unless it be to
drive Mr. Roosevelt out of politics
with chorus of laughter. If it were
to show vitality, it would be boss
ridden at once; for bosses are not
particular about parties, provided the
parties are strong.
Had reactionary been nominated
at Baltimore, or mere party Demo-
crat, a new party might have sprung
into the arena with more than
fair prospect of becoming at once the
second if not the first party in Ameri-
can politics. But there is no such
probability now; and third party,
no matter who leads it, may separate
those who ought to be together. Re-
publicans do not need new party
this year in order to avoid the diem
ma of either supporting Taft or join
ing the Democratic party. There is
10 such alternative. They can vote
for Wilson and Marshall electors with
out abandoning the Republican par.
". Scratching" is no longer a par
ty crime; and if one may scratch"
the party candidate for alderman,
Mayor or Governor, why not the par
" candidate for President and Vice
President?
OF the official call for the new
party. it must be said that it rings
true in general principles and pur
poses. Its weakness is the total ab-
sence of any concrete demands in eX-
ecution Of its declarations OF gener-
al principle 4 frst-class eNordium
or peroration, this call is without
form in detail. While it points to
the true industrial issue in the alb.
stract, it proposes nothing definite.
The old Declaration of Independence
gave form and force to its splendid
generalities by an Indictment OF King
George and notice of separation. In
the first Republican platform, its
splendid generaities were given form
and force by specific opposition TO
the extension of slavery. But this
call for Mr.. Rooseyelt's party gives
no kind of form 10 it's generalities.
To be sure it might be said that the
place for doing that is not in the call
but in the platform when the con-
yention yet to be shall have made
one. This explanation would be a
good one, But, if Mr.. Roosevelt's
views in favor OF tariff protection
be then adopted as part Of a plat
form evolved from such a convention
call, the usefulness of this third par
" will be widely open to question
on fundamental grounds. One Pro-
lection party is enough,-The Pub
lie.