The Washington times., 1913-01-14

nominated by the Republican Convention in Chi
suppose that the platform would have differed
vitality from the platform the Republican party
did put out? That it would have differed in some
respects is probable, but that it would have been
just such platform as the Progressives put out
in their convention is not to be supposed. At the
same time, however, may we not conclude that
the Republican platform that Mr. Roosevelt
would have sanctioned would not have differed
in the great essentials from the one afterward put
out by the Progressives?
Naturally two platforms of antagonistic par
ties are bound to vary, but do those two Platforms
on the chief essentials, vary to such degree that
they could not be harmonized without serious
sacrifice of either?
When people or parties, have become sep
arated, and feeling of bitterness and stubborn
ness has grown up between them, each must ap-
proach the other with spirit of conciliation and
cordiality, and with a willingness to give and take
within reasonable and honorable bounds if any
thing is to be accomplished.
Had the will of the people obtained in the Re-
publican National Convention in Chicago Mr.
Roosevelt would have been nominated as a Re-
publican candidate, as progressive Republican
candidate-the same kind of progressive he was
as President, and always has been. The criminally
bungling stupidity and brutal high-minded dis
honesty of the Republican machine, impudently
and brazenly denying the people the right of their
choice, broke the back of the Republican party
and compelled the formation of new party
But now that the back of the Republican
party has been broken, now that it has been
chastened and rebuked for the crookedness of its
acts under the dominancy of rotten bosses, are we,
as Progressives, to hold the rank and file of the
Republican party, the innocent voters of the Re-
publican party, men who think on all essentials as
we think, responsible for the crimes of the men
in control of the party machinery?
1t we'll not to forget that of the delegates to
the Republican National Convention who fought
for Mr.. Roosevelt in the pre-convention cam
paign, shoulder to shoulder with us of the Pro-
gressive party, very large percentage perhaps
sixty or eighty per cent.-remained in the Repub-
lican party when the split came, and are there yet
These men, for the most part, are progressives,
but for one reason or another, on account of ties
that they were not willing to sever or belief that
greater efficiency could come from the old party
than from new, remained in the old party, bitter
and chagrned as they were at the attitude and acts
Of the convention. The great majority Of these
men, and the great majority of the rank and file of
the Republican voters, are, believe, as progress
sive, as liberal and as earnest for decent govern
ment as are we of the Progressive party. If they
would come over to the Progressive party we
could get what we want-a big, strong, amalga-
mated party in the Progressive party itself.
But will they do so? Seriously do not be-
eve they will, and it is because do not believe
hey will that advocate some way of getting to- !
,ether that would be acceptable to them and
should be acceptable to us.
am calling attention to our relation to the |
Republican party when we, as the progressive ele-
nent in that party, sought to control it-calling
attention to this relation SO that we may not get
alse conception of the difference between what
we should have been~if we had won out in that
convention as progressive Republicans, and what
We are now as out-and-out Progressives in an in
dependent party
If, by some such plan as have suggested, |
We could get together on platform similar to one
hat would have been acceptable to Mr.. RooSe-
Jelt and on which he would have rim as a Re-