Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-09-24
A Historic Question Answered.


One question OF great historical import
ance Is at last tully answered. Ii was
raised by last years split in the republic
can party. Good observers then pre-
dic,ed that 1t might repeat the expert
ence of the old wings and gradually go
out of existence. As first step, IL was
asserted that the new progressive party
would pc rated in Congress and elsew here
as "the minority, and so made the
natural beneficiary of the inevitable re-
action that would in time come against
the dominant democracy.
Col. Roosevelt carried more states than
did the republicans. His party had many
aspects of real minority, and so destined
to be the democracy's future competitor.
But this was not to be. Events have now
progressed far enough to make IL abso-
lutely sure that the republican is TO be the
party OF the opposition. This is not a
three-party country; the sectional char
acter of our politics prevents this. Third
parties invariably dry UP and blow away.
Consignment to this class is accordingly
most important, and TO that class the pro-
gressives, and, not the republicans, are
now consigned. This is question of fact
and not of opinion. 1t is settled by THE
way men vote.
In q series OF contests taking place since
November, 1912, the returns have shown
an undertaking trend sgainst rhe progress
sive party. IL appears 10 have no vitality
apart from the personal candidacy OF Sir.
L. uts faS hA ~
as be did in spring elections in the West,
or write letters urging its members TO
stand firm, as he is repeatedly doing, but
without avail. When his name came
of the ticket and the recollection OF sharp
practices at the original Chicago conven-
tion began to fade from the popular mind,
the handspring OF the progressive move
pieces.
II is entirely logical that Il should be
so. As constituted to-day, the progress
sive party presents two issues. each over
tapping one OF the old parties. These are
protection, in which 1t ove,iaps the re-
publican party, and radical legislation, in
which it oserlaps. the democratic. Any
body who wants the protective policy to
prevail, whether voting In Maine, Massa-
ehusetts or Michigan, can secure that end
much more effectively by supporting the
republican ticket than by marking his
ballot in way that may be misnnder-
stood.
On the other hand, anybody who wants
the initiative and referendum, oid-sge
pensions, municipal distribution OF coal
and eggs, would much better flock with
the democrats. MIR. Waish's platform,
given out on Sunday, contains enough
progressive ideas, II adopted, to double
the burden OF taxation ON Massachusetts
industries, and that is as much as the pro-
gressives are aiming for.
The Maine returns emphasize in strik-
ing way experiences already recorded
over a wide range OF territory. Were the
elections to be held in the third district
to-day, Lawrence's vote would doubtless
be not over half what 1t was on Monday.
Many OF the progressiyes .yho remained
with him did so on the assumption that
this was real party, possessed of Iikeii-
hood of success. Earlier In the season its
leaders had declined to continue ihe truce
of a year ago. as Mr.. Peters pronosed
r. - 80 49, .s.-s-srs
nc mac oneiea 70 10 ino ing primaries
with them and abide by Che results, but
they felt too sure OF their position to share
it with any body.
outyoting the repunhcans year ago by
more than two to one, they felt confident
NJ having things their own wav now. Ana
-. -.
inost oi snoi1 No'e was uouo'isss ponso on
the assumption that they really had a
future. Now that this pretence has been
,.-,,,,s.,s The r.,raa, ,ror, ~. -s,us ,..,u -
eApo'e' 'Ae s''' VIZ De
still more rapid.
Ii is no wonder that personal friends OF