Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1913-12-26
DISTRESSED REPUBLICANS.

The Republican party is represented as
never less formidable as political organi-
cation than it appeared at Washington city |
last week by its National Committee. 1t has
no leaders and it has no principles. 1t needs
moral issue" about as badly as any,
body ever has needed one. 1t needs in
spiratiun. Soup houses must come" is
not an inspiring battle cry. A hope that
he Democratic party will be devastated
by the sight of bread lines in the big cities
this winter touches zero in politics. A
great many of the Republicans assembled
there seemed to think that they are COM
ing back into power through votes of an
electorate pressed by the rigor of hard
times.
1t was curious and interesting to observe
how the sentiment that has existed for
spring convention to enunciate principles
was dissipated after the gathering of Re-
publicans had assembled there. The out
look was too stormy to risk it. Men who
for weeks had been talking in favor Of
holding national convention preliminary
to the Congressional elections next autumn,
changed their minds after talking with
their fellow-committeemen and others, and
voted against convention.
The committee has been judcious in
deciding not to call special convention
next year. 1t is easier to call convention
than it is to do anything with it after you
have got it. A regular convention is slightly
restricted by the need of considering the
main chance. which is the nomination Of
a President, but special convention, with
no heavy duty of this sort to chasten its
emotions and temper its zeal, would degen
ate into mere gabfest, at which exacer
bated feelings would become still furthe
irritated and infiamed, and in which tn,
minority could not be placated by the offe
of the second place on the ticket, or hel(
in control by the imperative party neces
sity of supporting the ticket.
The National Committee, however. die
not quite have the courage of its convic
tons. 1t recognized the danger of con
vention 1t proposed to change the basil
of representation. and thus make the part!
a Northern and White Mans party, bu
it draws back from making its decision
final. 1t is afraid of the rank and file o
the party, and proposes to submit this an
some other changes, such as the adoption
Of State laws, where these affect the choic
of delegates, to a referendum of the voter;
This is safer than convention. becaus
the voters cannot be rounded up in on
hall, and reused to frenzy, like an lndiai
tribe doing a war dance, by the reverbera
tons of its own mutations. But it's goin
TO arouse bitter feeling and animosit
among the Republican voters. The NOR
peaceful way Of making the change woul
have been to assume the power of MAXIM
IL final, leaving those who do not lik
Il TO swear at an accomplished fact il
privacy.
But the change itself is likely to wrec
the G. o. p, however it may be accom-
plished. When the Republican party ha
confessed itself sectional. and frank
thrown the negro overheard, what wi
there be left Of itH The tariff was eettin
to be too heavy five years ago, as is show
by the suggestion Of tariff revision in tn
Republican platform Of 1908. We sc
nothing for the Republicans but to dis
solve. those who are safe and sane joinin
the Democratic party, and the irreconcil
ables nominating whom they please, an
quadrennially standing up 10 be counted.