Devils Lake weekly world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1911-1914, 1913-09-19
THE "DECL1NE AND FALL, OF
THE THIRD PARTY.

1t has been commonly observed that
just as the progressive movement made
it's start in the west, gradually work
ing eastward, so the paralysis Of death
seemed to be creeping over it in the
same geographical course. 1t has re-
NAMED stronger in Maine and Massa-
chusetts, by common observation, than
anywhere else in the union. Maine had
an election Monday, which disclosed
how hollow, however, are progressive
hopes in these last Of its strongholds.
The collapse Of the progressive par
ty in Maine is little short Of pitiful.
Only last November its vote exceeded
that for Taft by nearly two to one.
Monday it's vote was less than half
that cast for the republican nominee
Political history may be searched in
vain for an exhibit Of so rapid disin-
tegrating. There is something uncan-
ny, disquieting, almost gruesome, in
I; such precipitate decline. One Won
ders if the American people have suf-
ticient evenness Of political temper
when they go in such large numbers
/ into party, only to leave it as if some
| one had shouted ''fire.'
The progressive organs asserted vo-
, ciferously that Lawrence was going to
win. and he was candidate of admir-
able qualifications, much like those of
Charles S. Bird here. They surely ex-
pected to retain second place. Maine
laws put many Offices at the disposal
Of the "two leading parties'' the pro-
gressives naturally wanted to be one
of them. But they have been badly
disappointed 1t is safe to say that
they will not again figure seriously in
Pine Tree state politics. They have
gone the way of all the third parties
fthe past.
| The progressive leaders in the dis
trict had put forth every effort that
would help them hold the advantage
they gained last fall. Spellbinders Of
no less renown than ex-senator Bev-
eridge, ex-secretary Garfield, ex-Attor-
ney General Bonaparte, ex-Speaker
[ Walker Of Massachusetts and other
"ex's" Of pomp and circumstance
toured the district from end to end.
The people turned out in crowds and
listened attentively, as they did when
Bryan and Champ Clark made their
whirlwind tours there last week.
| The result in Maine indicates de-
cided reaction against the national ad-
ministration. Peters has a plurality
over the democratic candidate with q
progressive opponent in the field, ma
terially larger than Goodwin's last
year, when there was a truce between
the republicans and progressives, Of
which he was the beneficiary. The OPP
position to the democrats was only
little over so per cent. Today it is in
majority Of 5000 and 1000. This is
due primarily to the tariff. The Maine
verdict is the first response Of the
country to the new Wilson bill, record
ed in advance Of the enactment. The
size Of the total votes exceeding that
on the presidential ballots last year
affords further evidence Of an intense
popular interest in the struggle.
The bearing of this result in Maine
on the Massachusetts situation is clear.
If the progressive party makes cor
responding slump here the republican
candidate for governor will be elected.
This now seems probable. And hence
forth the dwindling of the progressive
forces will proceed rapidly. When che
tide begins to run, and everybody re-
allies that it is running, the effect
of the events Of the campaign is Gu
mulative. It has now become clearly
demonstrated that the progressive is
not to be the opposition party, east
or west, and that the battle Of the fu-
ture lies between the two old parties.
The voters will make up their minds
and express their preference accord
ingly. They will, in SO doing, have