Semi-weekly herald., 1912-07-11
THE MEN WHOM A BOLT HURT


New parties are not organized
through bolts. If vital, the issue which
cause faction TO bolt are ultimately
taken up by the main organization,
and the new movement has short
duration. If the issues are not vital,
the lack of excuse for the bolt is dis
closed at once. 1t is only when great,
new and enduring principles arise
which neither of the existing parties
is able to make its own that new
party can come into existence.
Because bolts are of short duration,
the leaders in such movements are the
chief sufferers. When the new move
ment dies, they must either return to
their old party or drift into the ranks
of the opposition. If they return they
do so with their prestige all gone and
with no hope that they will again
be intrusted with leadership. If they
go over to the opposition, they find
no room for them, except in obscure
and subordinate places.
lbty are WIot llGil WIN, lCluolilS W
desert the old party, cling to it in the
belief that it will ultimately accept
their views and adopt the reforms they
advocate.
Already in connection with the pro-
posed new party movement Of this
year one can see how events are shap-
ing themselves along the lines just
indicated.
The movement originated in bolt
from the Republican party in pretend
ed advocacy of progressive policies.
But in these policies there is nothing
to call for the organization of a new
party. The men who advocated them
were simply little in advance of the
more slowly moving main party organ
ization. In its onward march the par
ty will soon reach the advanced posi-
tion they have occupied. The whole
party will become progressive, All
occasions for the bolt will then have
disappeared.
What will be the fate of the pro
gressive leaders? Senator La Foil
cite and Cummins, Governor Hadle.
of Missouri and Aldrich of Nebraska
have decided to remain with the Re
publican party. They have refused
to bolt. When the whole Republican
party becomes infused with the pro
gressive spirit, as it certainly will, in
4 ha f,tt,,,.. nil H., -,
commanding position. By remaining
loyal to the party, they retain their
confidence of their associates. They
will be in line for promotion four
years hence.
OF the boilers who already have
gone over to the opposition, Gov. Os-
borne of Michigan is an example, He
recognizes the futility of the new par
ty movement. But he lacks the wis
dom, or maybe, the moral courage to
declare his adherence to the old par
ty organization. He has forfeited his
connection with the Republican party.
His only hope for the future lies with
the Democrats, and from them he will
receive only the welcome commonly
given deserters from the other side.
Gov. johnson of California, Senator
Clapp of Minnesota and Dixon of
Montana, and others who persist in
the bolt will soon be without politicG'
homes. The party movement cannot
last. There is no excuse for its ex-
istence. Progressive Republicans who
followed Senators La Toilette and
Cummins when the progressive move
ment was new will remain with them
in the Republican party. Progressive
Democrats have all they want in the
nomination of Gov. Wilson. The lead,
ers named who are persisting in the
bolt are condemning themselves polit-
ically. They will accomplish nothing
but their own political ruin.-Denver
Republican.