The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-22
HARMONY GOES GLnnGERING.

Presumably there has been some real
enthusiasm among the Democrats Oh
thu state over the deliberations OF inc
leaders Of the Progressive party At tneir
recent conferences in Topeka THESE
resulted in the announcement tnat tne
Progressives intend to place fui seate'
congressional and local tickets In the
field for the next election. This pracsi-
callv means that further talk OF mar
monv between the Republicans and the
Proeressives In futile. And no peter
treatment could be accorded the Demo-
Gratis by their political enemies IN
fact. IL the Democrats had been per-
mttted to fix the political situation to
their liking and best advantaee' 'nes
couldn't have done better by them
selves. Their continuance IN power IN
Kansas is q foregone conclusion, I'M
less they get to hghting 80 nerceis
among themselves over a DIVISION %
the spoils that they will develop a real
rupture in their own party, OF carry
their battle axes to the polls Tor use
on each other. And the way the wino
n blowing in the Democratic camp
these days makes such a contingency
not beyond the realms Of possibility
It may be- though, that large num-
her of voters who trained with the
Progressives in the last campaign arc
not DISPOSED to follow their erstwhile
leaders into further battles against the
Republicans. It Is also true tnat
number of heretofore prominent Fro
xressives, who are obsessed with de-
sires to hold public offices, are stln
silent as to their political alignment IN
the immediate future. And 1t might DC
that while the Progressive leaders arc
wildly enthusiastic to wage anotner
battle to the death with the RepuDh-
cans. they are speaking only Tor them
selves and will not be able to rally
sufflcient following to make much OF a
showing in the forthcoming state cam
paien and election. There may be
good deal Of bluff and buster about
their present pretensions.
It IL all very well for them to IN
sist that they are fighting for princi-
pies which they will not give up or
compromise and that they are not IN
the political game for the sake OF hold
ing public Office. This is politics OF
high ideals, and like all high ideals or
the rather unattainable variety. How
do they propose ever to put their prin-
ciples into practice unless they get into
power? And how can they attract any
considerable following If no promises
are held out in the way Of the honors
and emoluments Of public office?
There seemed to be a feeling at the
recent conference that the chances OF
victory at the next election were slight.
that there was nothing really to fight
for except to keep the principles Of the
Progressive faith alive and before the
public with the hope of the ultimate
destruction OF the Republican party
and victories in the dim distant future.
And this being true. there is still good
deal in the Progressive movement that
smacks Of the activities of the dog In
the manager. It's leaders. unable to con-
troll and rule the Republican party are
disposed to ruin or defeat 1t, and not
by attaining q victory for itself. but
by assuring a victory to the common
enemy, the Democrats.
But the Republican party IL rega1n1ne
good deal Of its old vigor as has been
shown by the returns in the recent
elections in various sections Of the
| country. And even in Kansas 1t II
likely to show a strength that will
show the Progressives the futility OF
barking at its heels. 1t is folly fol
the Progressive leaders to insist thai
the Republicans Of Kansas are opposed
to progress. The new party's name
doesn't give it a mortgage on all things
pertaining to political progress; nor d.
some Of the radical principles that Il
fathers necessarily mean progress
They are merely changes. the result.
Of which are matters for conjecture
And they might be changes for thu
worse.