Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-16

ever the battle may go, let it be said
truly after September s, that not one
Progressive vote was purchased with
money, or by false promises impossi-
BILE of fulfillment, or coerced as will
still be the custom of the old parties.
In other words.-let us be real Pro-
gressives, standing for true manli-
ness and good citizenship in public
as well as in private life
THE Progressive movement is not
new one. Throughout the ages there
has been an increasing demand on the
part Of the masses for a fair chance
in the game of life. The crystaliza-
ton of the demand into a well organ
lied party is but an event in the his
tory of the real progressive movement
"Whenever the burdens Of oppression
have become too heavy it has resulted
in the restless upf1eaval of the masses.
Their weakness has been in their lack
of organization, for even when their
wrongs have been redressed, as the re-
suit of enlightened public sentiment,
or as the result of q moral Hpheaval
among their oppressorS the reform has
been transient.
THE trouble in the past has been that
human rights have been subservient
To property rights. We have placed
material things higher in cur standard
Of living than humanity.
THE greatest moral teacher that this
world ever knew-the Man of CALI
lee-tred to teach us this lesson, and
the conservative element of his day
condemned him to death upon the
cross of shame, all because he taught
a doctrine that we admit, today, was
many years ahead of his time Little
wonder that this man who lived close
to the heart of humanity, and under
stood 1t as no other has ever under
stood it before or since, looked up into
the face of His God ia say, Father
dear, forgive them, they know not
what they do
IF the oppressed of this district, from
whatever cause, can be made to I'M
derstand the real meaning of the Pro-
gressive movement, they Will be with
us to n man.
They try to tell us that the Pro-
gressive party sprang into being
through the dissatisfaction of a few
dsgruntled office seekers in both the
old parties, and that ii is but pass
ing wave That is not true. for as
we have shown it was brought about
by the spirit of unrest among the peo-
Pile and it is an effort on the part of
the masses to SO remodel our machin-
cry of government that human rights
shall be held superior to property
rights.
while | have not had time to fully
1 Il hAf 10
due all of you TO make a brief state
ment Of some of the important points
that will be issues in this campaign.
Perhaps my ideas in regard to labor
and capital are somewhat original if
so, my only apology is that any beau
tiful theory that | might have formu-
lated has been destroyed by practice.
There is almost no form of labor that
| have not at sometime performed. |
know from actual experience just how
much soul force and brain and muscle
and sinew it requires to do days
work
The laborer has right to demand
fair treatment. He is the greatest
factor in the production of wealth. AT
the same time he is not the only ae-
tor. The man who directs and con-
trolls the activities of Others is often
sweating blood for them as he real
ICES how a misiudgamal of his may
ruin the industry upon which an en-
tire community depends. / was never
so free from care as I'M the DAYS when
| carried a dinner pail, for then l was
responsible to but one NANNY nm
ployer. Now | am Responsible To my
many employees. Experiences has taught
me that there must be mutual feel
ing of responsibility.
Il am Interested in the. labor move
ment, and / believe the harsh feeling
that sometimes exists would be en-
tirely eliminated if the labor organiZa
tons would always keep at the head,
those of their membership, who have
the real interest of the laborer at
heart. Under such leadership it could
not fail To prove mutual benefit To
labor and capital. 1t is a calamity
when the honest industrious laborer
stays out of labor organizations, Tor
then they become prey to the ny
sterical control of the agitator.
Business.
"The Progressive party offers a def
mite, practical solution to our business
problems 1t condemns the policy of
the present administration, which If
they succeed in carrying out will strike
the axe at the root of every legitimate
business in this district, utterly de-
stroying it.
For the benefit of those not familiar
with our National platform, we quote
from the contract with the people, our
solution of the present business prob
lens.
1--WE do not fear commercial power
but We insist that it shall be eXercis-
ed openly. under public supervision and
regulation of the most efficient sort
which will preserve its good while
graduating and preventing its evils.
ITO that end we urge the establish
ment of a strong federal administra
tive eommissien, of high standing
which shall maintain permanent active
supert ision over industrial corpora
tons engaged in interstate commerce,
n such If them as are of public i'm
rortance, doing for them what the
government now does for the national
hanks and what is now done for the