South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-07-17
PRINCIPLES AND ExPEDIENCY.

PRINCIPLES AND EXPEDIENC1.
At the eleventh hour, the well laid
plans for the merger Of the republican
and citizens parties were upset We'd
resday night at the q. o. =. mass
meeting. and although there are indi-
cations that at least a majority OF the
central committee is ready now or
Friday or any other time 10 pass the
necessary resolution, it remains to be
seen whether such action will prevent
the placing Of party ticket in the
field.
The revolt led by George NJ. Foun-
tain and backed up by a number Of
others was significant OF the feeling
against the abandonment OF the party
even for the sake OF temporary advan-
tage. At the same hour the mass
meeting was being held. the Hunga-
rian republicans were deciding that
they would stay republicans and sup
port a republican ticket regardless of
what the central committee did.
And the nomination petition OF
VIM. L. Mes for city clerk was for
mally placed on file.
1t would seem that there will be
republican ticket in the field whether
the central committee supports it or
not.
Two reasons for the merger were
prominently urged at the mass meet
ing. one was that a merger ticket
would in some way bring about good
government that there would be no
more politics. that the city would as a
result be cleaned up.
The other. which was urged just as
strongly. was that by the merger they
might be able TO beat the democrats
and that they couldn't beat them un-
less they did it together.
Principles ran hand ia hand with
cxpediency.
1t is small wonder that many of
the men who have been really de-
voted 10 republicanism for many
years, who have worked and sacrificed
for the party stayed away from the
meeting where such a spirit prevailed.
one speaker quoted George Wash
instOn as a man who knew when to
retreat and when TO attack. He
thought the South Bend situation fur
nished a parallel.
But Washington never took off his
buff and blue uniform and donned one
of scarlet. He never quit being an
American to pretend that he was a
Britisher-to wear false cOlors until
he got time and opportunity TO change
Clothes again and knife his enemies.
Washington was an American in de-
feat or success He wasn't an Amer
lean merely when Americanism was
popular and something else when it
wasn't. He wasn't d fair weather
American. The parallel doesn't run
true.
There are many republicans yet in
South Bend who are republicans be-
cause they believe in the principles of
that party. and who are unwilling to
give up those principles simply for
the sake of possible victory this
year, OF even TO help the Tribune get
the city printing.
Here's one thing. If the proposed
merger is solely Tor the sake Of beat
ing the democrats. why not say SO
Why all this hypocriucal talk about
Saving the city and mon partisan
government. Does any one pretend
TO believe that the movement is non
partisan. that it is anything else than
"A rather crude attempt TO disguise the
fact that the merger is a merger.
The democratic party has been split
up at times by the discordant views
Of its members on specific questions.
But the democrats have always been
ready 10 go down fighting for those
principles. The possibility of leading
a forlorn hope never swerved a dem
ocrat from his allegiance. or his
principles.
The democrats never started any
citizens movements TO allow the free
silver" men and the sound money
advocates 10 get together without APP
pearing 10 give up their views.