Semi-weekly herald., 1912-08-15

machine bosses to enact direct pri-
maries and other progressive statutes.
His influence was openly on the side
Of the reactionaries. His appointees
were the most active agents of the
opposition. In Wisconsin federal Of
fceholders were lobby agents for the
corporations and spent their time al
most wholly at the state capital dur
ing legislative sessions. | am some
what acquainted with the conditions
which prevailed in northern and west
ern states, where i spoke year after
year in support OF the effort TO es-
tablish progressive Republican gov
ernment, and l know that the same
opposition was encountered in most of
those states. Until little more than
one year ago Roosevelt had not even
expressed himself as friendly to what
had become-while he was in Africa
so widely known as the progressive
Republican movement. Not until about
five months ago did he make his So
called declaration of principles. Short
ly thereafter he abandoned any at
tempt to discuss his principles" Ig-
noring issues, he lured the president
into campaign so bitterly personal
that by the time of the Chicago con-
vention the frenzy and passion arous-
ed subordinated everything TO fierce
scramble to seat delegates and secure
the nomination. And upon this mad
squabble for office between two men
under whose administra lions the Re-
publican party had made the trust,
tariff and special interest records
for which it is most severely criticised,
il is proposed to destroy a sound and
vital progressive movement, which had
already gone far TO nationalist Itself
within great and powerful organi-
zation. A political party is
development of powerful forces work
ing in our social life. Sound ideas
seize upon the human mind. Opinions
ripen into fixed convictions. Masses
of men are drawn together by COM
mon belief and organized abouS clear
ly defined principles. But
what abject folly to seek upon such
basis to destroy a great political
party 100000 strong, with clear,
progressive majority in its ranks,
within which there has been builded
up progressive movement that prom
ises To make the Republican party the
instrument through which government
will be completely restored to the peo-
pie. would in no degree disparage
the good work of the progressive
Democrats. Encouraged by Bryan's
support of progressive principles,
many Democrats in Wisconsin and
other states abandoned their party on
state issues and supported the Re
lublican progressive program. And it
was Bryan's superb leadership and
coui age at Baltimore which nominated
candidate for the presidency who
has made progressive record as gov
ernor of New Jersey. l repeat nd
IN no partisan spirit-that the pro
eressive movement began within The
Republican party. At rapidly advapo-
ed its control, shaping policies of state
ad dninistrations and stamping ios i'm
press upon national legislation as a
distinctly progressive Republican
movement. And upon this fact IN re-
ctnt political history l appeal &c pro
glessiye Republicans everywhere to
msntain their organization within the
Republican party. Tc maintain such
organization blind allegiance tc every
party nomination and to every party
declaration is not essential.
1t seems to me that the highest oh
cation of real progressive Republicans
in every state is to maintain their
organization and continue To fight
within the lines of the Republican
party for progressive principles, poll
cies and candidates. No aid or en-
couragement should be given to a
third party plan to divide the pro-
gressive vote and destroy the progress
sive Republican movement. No break
should be permitted in the progressive
ranks which will endanger the election
of any true progressive Republican
anywhere. Every effort should be put
forth to increase the number of thor
oughgoing progressive Republicans in
the United States senate and the
house of representatives. Progressive
Republicans never had higher call
to greater service.