Barton County democrat., 1913-11-28

Gay. Inc dru1Ca6 Is dS IO0VO"O'
Presumably there has been some
zeal enthusiasm among the Demo
Gratis of the state over the delibera-
tioms of the leaders Of the Progres-
sive party at their recent confer
ence i'm Topeka. These resulted in
the announcemnt that the Progressiv-
es intend to place full state, con-
gressional and local tickets in the
field for the, next election. This
practically means that further talk
of harmony between the Republicans
and the Progressives is futile. And
no better treatment could be accord
ed the Democrats by their political
enemies. In fact, If the Democrats
had been permitted to fix the poht-
ical situation to their liking and best
advantage, they could not have
done better by themselves. Their
continuance in power in Kansas is a
foregone conclusion, unless they get
to fighting so fiercely among them
selves over a division of the spoils
that they will develop a real rup-
ture in their own party, or carry bat
tie axes to the polls for use ON each
other.
1t may be, though, that a large
number of voters who trained with
the Progressives in the last cam
paign are not disposed to follow their
erstwhile leaders into further bat.
ties against the Republicans. 1t is
also true that a number Of hereto
fore prominent ProgneSsives who are
Obessed with desires to hold public
offices, are still silent at to their
political alignment in the immediate
future. And it might be that while
the Progressive leaders are wildly en-
thusiasic to wage another battle to
the death with the Republicans, they
are speaking only for themselves and
will not be able to rally a sufficient
number to make much of show.
ing in the forthcoming state cam
paign and election. There may be a
good deal of bluff and bluster about
their present pretentiOns.
1t is all very we'll for them to inr
sist that the are fighting for princi'
pies which they will not give up Oh
compromise and that they are not in
the political game for the sake Of
holding public office. This is politics
Of high ideals, and like all high
ideals of the rather unattatnable va.
rety. How do they propose ever tC
put their principles into practice un-
Less they get into power? And row
can they attract amy considerable fol
lowing if no promises are held out in
the way Of the honOrs and emolu-
ments Of public offices?
There seemed to be a feeling al
the recent conference that the chanc.
es OF victory at the next election
We're 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 ol
the Republican party and victories in
the dim distant future. And this be
ing. true, there is still a good deal
IN the Progressive movement tha,
smacks of the activities Of the dog
in the manager. Its leaders, unablt
to control and rule the Republican
party are disposed to ruin or de
feat it, and not by attaining a vic,
tory for itself, but by assuring q
victory to the common enemy, the
Democrats.
But the Republican party Is re
gaining a 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 it is likely to show such
strength that win show the Pro
greSSiVes the futility Of barking al
its heels. It is folly for the Pro
gressdve leaders to insist that the
Republicans Of Kansas are opposed
/ tn DrOprnSS Tho nau nor4vs, noroe