The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-11-15
Battle of PrOgreSsives Just
Begun. Says Colonel.
DECLARES PARTY HERE TO STAY
Coneratuiates New Movement on Feats
Unparalleled In History" Will
Not Rest Until Entire Platform
Is Enacted Into Law.

New York, Nov. 12.-Coonel Theo-
dore Roosevelt made public state
ment In which he congratulated his fol-
lowers in the Progressive ranks on
their accomplishment in bringing about
the crushing defeat OF the Republican
party "since the theft OF the Repub-
lican organization by the Republican
bosses at Chicago last June"
The Progressive leader reiterateS
what he has already said. that the Pro-
gressive party has come TO stay and
that the battle has just begun. At the
same time ne assures the old parties
OF Progressive support any time they
desire to carry into effect policies EN-
bodied in the Progressive platform.
The colonel pronounces the achieve
ments Of the Progressive party as Tit
orally unparalleled in the history of
free government"
Here is the statement in full:
congratulate the Progressives Of the
country-that is, | congratulate those
good men and women who with sincerity
of purpose for the common good have had
the vision to look into the coming years
and see what the future demands from us
who work in this present
What the Progressive party has done
since the theft OF the Republican organi-
zation by the Republican bosses at Chi
cago last June is literally unparalleled In
the history Of free government worked
under representative institutions. Three
months have gone by since some hun
dreds OF earnest men and women gath
cred to found the new Progressive party.
Against Great Combination.
without much money. without any or
ganiEauon, against the wealth OF the
country, against the entire organized po-
litical ability OF the country. against the
bitter hostility Of 30 per cent of the press
of the country. against tho furious oppo-
sition OF every upholder OF special privi-
lege. whether in politics or in business.
and with the channels OF Information to
the public largely choked. the Progressive
party has poiled between four and four
and one-half million votes. has hopelessy
beaten one of the old parties both in the
electoral college and in the popular vote,
has carried several OF the important states
| in the Union and has taken second place
in the nation and either first second
! place in some thirty-seven of the forty
| eight states.
| No task in any way approaching this
has ever before boen performed by any
party in our country. Such feat per-
formed by volunteers hastily brought to-
gether and without any previous cooper,
alton with each other against the trained
veterans of the political arena, those
trained veterans including the entire mer-
cenary forces of politics should be a
source of pride not only TO those who
performed the task but to all believers in
good citizenship and in the capacity Of
Americans for self government.
Not One Man Party.
During the campaign ] said repeatedly
that this was in no shape or way a one
man movement. but a movement for great
principles, a movement which has sprung.
as all healthy movements in our democ-
racy must spring, from the heart and con-
science of the people themselves This
truth must be kept steadily before the
minds of all of US. The Progressive party
has come TO stay II either OF the old par
ties will endeavor to put into legislation
any one of our planks 1t can count upon
our hearty support In 80 doing, but we
will not rest contentsd until the entire
platform is enacted into law and becomes
part Of our political system, national and
state.
1 am proud indeed that the great, good
fortune has been mine to fight shoulder
to shoulder with the men and women who
in the ranks and in various positions OF
leadership have waged this great battle
for social and Industrial Justice. So far
from being over. the battle has Just be-
gun. We will not rest content until every
feature of the Progressive program has
been put into effect, and when this has
been done unquestionably there will have
opened to us new avenues, along which II
will still be duty 10 work for the moral
and economic betterment of our people.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.