The Washington herald., 1913-11-19
With the Political Procession.
BY +. b. G.

ny n
''The old-fashioned Republicans Of the
United States will not abandon principles
for the sake OF votes" was the emphatic
declaration OF James Wilson, who served
sixteen years in the Cabinets of three
Presidents of the United States.
The utterance, delivered with some emo
ton and also eloquence of the Iowa Sort
followed a discussion of the apparent re-
turn Of Republicans TO the old party
allegiance in recent elections and the
prospect that the renewal Of old party
ties would continue up to 1916 with cheer
ing results. The famous old Secretary of
Agriculture was anxious to indicate that
even IL he sat at a Cabinet table with
Roosevelt and had a high personal re-
gard for that eminent citizen of the re-
public, the Roosevelt Progressive fancIes
were not approved by the Hon. James, Of
Tama, State of Iowa.
I'VE have never gotten over being good
Republicans out in Iowa." added the
rugged old Scotchman, "and we will con-
continue firm in the faith. Recent cleo
tons in other States show a getting back
Of the Democratic tariff will aid wonder
fully not only in Industrial. but in agri-
cultural sections. Bless your life, out in
Iowa the farmers are beginning to realize
that everything they raise has been put
on the free MIST They may have been
placid so far, but when the new Demo-
cratic tariff law is fully in operation and
the farmers not only OF Iowa, but every
other State, begin to appreciate what it
is doing to them, they will raise In their
might as they did in 1894. following the
Wilson bill, and something will happen.
Not only the farmers, but the manufac-
turers will do some thinking, also some
voting"
Although Secretary Wilson is seventy
nine years old, he continues remarkably
robust and vigorous. He displays as
much interest in pending political prob
lens as If he expected to be an active
participate in many more national cam
paigns. AS a member of the Roosevelt
Cabinet for nearly two terms, he makes
no comment on the political wanderings
of a former chief, but is content to de-
clare for adherence to a grand old party
which Roosevelt has deserted. The only
remark in reference to Roosevelt by the
honorable Secretary was the suggestion
that the former President would be more
dangerous in the making of a platform
in an actual Republican convention than
in naming a candidate for President.
This would indicate the Wilson fear
that Roosevelt and his organization may
seek to enter and control the regular
Republican convention, and II not able
to control the nomination would stake
all in the effort to infuse progressive
ideas and fancies into the platform.
That would be a trifie disconcerting to
old and regular Republicans, not to men
tion the joy Of Democrats and the long
headed old Iowa statesman is insistent
that his younger Republican friends
should be as watchful OF the platform
as Of naming a candidate.
When the discussion led to possible
candidates for the regular Republican
nomination Uncle James had no sug-
gestion to make. He lamented a little
that the Republicans have not gone
west of the Mississippi, but was careful
not TO insist upon such a movement next
time. AS a native of Scotland the fine
old man has never been disturbed by
any Presidential ambition and his State
of Iowa has hardly been serious for q
candidate except Allison.
He is vigorous enough to promise an
active part in the campaign of 1916 and
il he is living and well and willing in
that year the Hon. James Wilson, of
Traer, Tama County, will no doubt be
chosen to head the Iowa delegation in
the real Republican convention called TO
name an oldfashioned Republican for
President. When you note the present
vigor of the esteemed citizen you have
no fear but what he will be in the i'm
mediate vicinity not only of the next
national convention but in many pre-
liminary gatherings of Iowa Republicans
in the intervening years. He rejOices
also that a bright young Iowa member,
then Hon. Frank Woods, has been
committee with promise of making the
next House Republican.
The distinguished citizen Of Iowa was
member of Congress the year that
Woods was born and served with the
great Republican leaders who were so
eminent and powerful during the Grant
Later on he came back to the Forty
eighth Congress and with Mckinley, then
new in the business. but taking hold
in a way that promised much for the
future, the older Iowa member and Nc
Kinley became close friends, and years
after, Mckinley recalled that his old
Iowa colleague was a real farmer and
called him to be Secretary of Agriculture.
Wilson served under the speakership of
Blaine and was a great admirer of the
Maine statesman. lamenting too that we
do not have a few more of the Blaine
size in the affairs of the nation at the
present time.
Richard Olney. of Massachusetts,, who
was first Attorney General. then Secre-
tary of State, in the second Cleveland
Cabinet, came to Washington this week
and rather startled the older Democrats
who had almost forgotten the Olney
and power under the last
Democratic administration. While be-