Evening journal., 1912-01-20
The COMING STORM
By John S. Hamilton.

The writer is one of the growing
number who believe that they can
see unmistakable indications of
coming political storm. Ir fact the
cloud at this time is so much larger
than mans hand and is growing
50 fast and spreading so rapidly that
II promises soon to cover the whole
horizon. No man can tell all the
lowering political heavens portend
ana while many regard the sign as
omlnous there are many more who
believe that behind the threatening
cloud IS the rising sun of a brighter
and better day. The leaders OF this
revolution, for ii is a revolution. are
not appealing to violence or the
sword, nor do they in the last analy-
SIS appear to be self seekers els their
ambitions would have led them in
another direction. They coms insist
ing and asking only for Justice and
at this time il would appear that
their demand will soon be filed
For the student this movement first
manifested itself on the surface i'm
1872, when in spite of the fact that he
mad been beaten four years pre-
viously by Benjamin Harrison, Grover
cleveland was elected by an over
whelming majority carrying states
that had up to that time been con-
sistently Republican since the found
ing Of that party Two years later
at "A Congressional election this re-
suit was reversed even more empha-
tically To the casual or superficial
observer Of political events such
things have but passing interest.
To him however, who reads history
and contemplates it merely is
chronicle of events. which events are
aways the indication Of considerable
movements of the people, such things
a-e of the utmost importa- &C and of
the most vital significance
Grover Cleveland was elected so
overwhelmingly in 1892 by the votes
OF men who had, since the civil war.
lup to thai time been acting with the
Republican party or the Populist
party and who voted for Cleveland
as a protest against what they
thought We're the mischievous tendcn-
cies of the Republican party during
the administration of BENJAMIN Har-
rison. Because of the incompetence of
the Democratic Congress elected
along with Cleveland. two years later
these same men reinforced BY inde-
pendent Democrats and aided by other
Democrats who remained away
from the polls on election day
the Republicans were successful
everywhere outside Of the solid south.
Then came sc and the nomination
of Bryan aud it was the same in 1900
In 1904 it was Parker and the inde-
pendent element the Democratic
party either voted for Roosevelt OF
remained away from the polls alio-
gether. Then there was 1908 when
$500 900 men voted Tor Bryan and a
million and quarra- more than hat
for Taft. It is only by a careful study
aud analysis Of these elections that
the present crisis can be interpreted.
Those who closely observed that
election of 1908 alone know the almost
superhuman efforts that were neces-
sary to defeat Bryan and they also
know that with il all il was only the
belief that William Howard Taft
would carry out certain Of what was
called progressive programs that had
been a part of Bryan's political plat
form from his first appearance and
had the approval in a measure at
least of Roosevelt during his admin
istration that made success possible
unquestionably this progressive move
ment started or was I'm the minds
and hearts Of the people long before
1892. Il was always in their minds
and hearts Overshadowed by other
considerations, but we can only iden-
tiiy it as a cohesive and coherent
force from that time and trace it from
election 20 election up-to-date
II has grown with leaps and bounds
during the present administration
and il is without any question the
, one vital element that has 20 be reck-
oned with at this time. The Repub.
, lican party is fighting for its life and
II IL should estrange the insurgents
and Independents it will not be worth
e the fight On the other hand il the
S Democratic party should offend the
independents within its ranks and by
the same means az the same. tim,
. forego any chance of drawing iron
= this element on the Republican side
il would hardly be worth their Will,
to make nomination. Take il alto.
: gether therefore il would appeal
that the progressive or insurgent
whatever YOU may call him. has il
twenty years grown until he is the
< master of the situation and he il
0 growing all the time.
:. There has been no more interest
;. ing development in the history OF on
- times than this movement which ap
parenily coming out Of the grounl
has been fought every inch of tn
: way by all the most potent and power
q ful forces which up until its appear
u ancc had been thought invinciblc II
- observe II closely and TO recogniz
the difficulties that were to be over
, come IL appears little short of mirac
\ ulous that IL was not destroyed a
soon as it was recognized, but on
comes now an Irresistible and an IN
e destructible force until at this time
" is not a question whether It is q sue
cess, for the real leaders OF this won
derful movement do not measur
& success by victories at the polls Th
y only question is where will it b
satisfied TO stos He is a sanguin