The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-16
That Prendergast Was Tired of
Standing at Armageddon.
MAKES CHARACTERISTIC talk
Democrat Party a Christening
Rod for Republican Leaders.
Not Hard to Lick, He Says,
When the Time Comes.

CaS1On0l 1laSneS OF nuInOE An the aO-
dress to the Progressives made at the
noon meeting by H. ]. Allen. pub
Usher of the Wichita, Kan, Beacon.
Mr.. Allen said:
"Our Republican friends tell us that
we should come back and help them
lick the Democrat party.
ITO hear these leaders talk you
would think that licking the Demo-
cratic party was the chief aim OF free
"And vet tnat task has been per-
formed more often than any other IN
American political history. It has
never been regarded as difficuIt
task. 1t has followed naturally and
invariably in the pathway OF infre-
ouent Democrat victory and Its regu-
lar coming has travelled as swift on the
heels Of opportunity as the constitu-
ton would allow.
garded in America as chastenlng
rod. periodically to be invoked for ma
tional sins OF Republican leaders. A
Democrat administration has been the
penitential period. sack ciotn ana
"The Republican leaders made AFRO
CANT by long control, forgot their
source Of power last June and became
the most solitary objects In PolacAl
life, towit, leaders without anybody TO
"Rather than deliver the Republic
an party over to the Progressive
forces, which held a majority, they
deliberately scuttled the party IN its
last national convention.
s'They made public copfession OF
this fact today by promising the fro-
gressives they will never do It again
Ii the Progressives will Just come
hack and help lick tho Democrats.
Tired of ArmageddOn.
uo,. ~ orr New York leaders, Mr..
Prendergast, who recently landed the
good lob Of comptroller OF New YORK
by aid of Progressive votes, declares
that it is now time to o,,,S &c PACK s.. niss nne
sion SO far as Mr.. Prendergast ts con-
cerned. He says he's tired OF stand
ing at Armageddon, aI-d since the Fro-
gressives have given aim q com1orta-
6le place to sit down, he declares his
intention of taking advantage OF II; ne
advises all Progressives to do likewise
with the characteristic thought
lessness of the great, he forgets that
his New York followers were SO busy
Droviding for his .nfort that they
neglected to provide seats for them
selves. Since Mr.. Prendergast stood
on the platform at Orchestra hall In
this city and professed his never
Welding loyalty to the Progressive
cause nothing has happened to change
the rather accurate description Mr.
pance and Injustice Of the Republican
leaders as represented by the national
committee. These same leaders are
vet in control, more strongly en-
trenched than ever.
"If the Progressives at that hour,
representing through their delegates
in that convention over three-fourths
Of the Republican states in the Union.
could not control the party's princi-
ples and activities, how can Mr. Prem
dergast hope to do 1t now when most
of the Progressives have left the party
and the same standpat control OF the
committee remains?
Keep Marching On.
"Some say that we have converted
the Republican leaders to Progress
sive platform. If in less than twelve
months we have done that let's keep
marching until we have accomplished
the conversion of all men and all par
ties. II we can force an arrogant
standpat leadership to its knees In
one campaign then we've an
effective campaignu of usefulness
spreading in the future. We can force
the Progressive doctrines into all par
ties. we can give them vital express
sion in government. We push for
ward a cause.-the cause Of human
Righteousness in government.
"And here's to that cause and the
wears that have passed,
Here's to the cause, 1t will triumph
at last.
And the end will illuminate the hearts
that have braved
All the years and the fears that the
cause might be saved.
And though what we hoped Tor,
And proudly have CROPPED Tor,
Came not in the fashion we prayed
that it should.
We will gladl.- accept 1t,
And the cause, may God bless 1t,
Will find us all worthy who did what
we could
The State Meeting.
Chicago, Dec. 16.-Representative
members Of the Progressive party from
nearly every county in Illinois. gathered
here today to confer on the party's 8
plans for the future with particular
reference to the elections of next year.
Before the meeting adjourns 1t IL
planned to select a candidate for the
United States senate and to perfect
plans for complete tickets in every
county and in every senatorial and
congressional district next year. The
days program included an executive
session of the state central committee.
a reception to visiting women at the
Progressive club and a rally at night.
The keynote was sounded by Ray
mond Robins, chairman of the state
central committee, who declared
against amalgamation with either OF
the old parties and predicted victory
in the spring elections. This sentiment
was echoed in letter sent by former
Senator A. J. Beveridge OF Indiana
mo amalgamation, no merger. nc
connection Of any kind with any other
party whatever" ran the Beveridge let
ter.