The Washington times., 1913-03-12

TlOSlcSSlNCspd pdluC ID lllOlC ulSiiiiSt tOaay
than.i was at any time during the campaign.
In the early weeks of the new party'S life, many
men who finally remained in the old organiza-
ton were well-nigh persuaded to join the new.
But the decision finally made to stay where
they were, they naturally proceeded to Justify
themselves in what they had done This was
inevitable the way human nature alwaysdoeS it.
So, with the Republicans we now have
body of men stubbornly opposed 70 the Pro-
gressives. They have so buttreSsed themselves
in their position that they lean backward in
their prejudice against the new party -
On the other hand, the ProgresSives, for the
most part are even more openly hostile to the
Republicans than the Republicans are To them.
When my first article on alnalgamation came
out, Mr.. Bird, the recent Progressive candidate
for Governor of Massachusetts,, said, in letter
to me- that amalgamation, or union with the
Republicans, was simply unthinkable. hope
Mr.. Birds attitude is not representative OF the
entire party. do not believe it is. Certainly in
this utterance he did not voice my views.
Means Brand New Party.
If it were question of the Progressive
party merging with the Republican party,
should take as strong stand against it as Mr..
Bird or any other man anywhere. But for the
Progressives to meet the Republicans halfway,
to meet them on neutral ground in national
conference, with view to forming new party
into which each should merge, would be quite
another matter, and would be free from all the
objections and prejudices that each holds to-
ward the other
! have said much the same thing before,
but so few people understand my proposal
especially so few ProgreSsiveS, who hold to the
idea that my scheme of aInalgamation means
surrendering to the Republican party all the
ground we have fought for and won-that it
is well to repeat it. Of course, mean no sucl,
thing, and no one who will take the pains to
feadmy articles can draw any such conclusion
from them 49, -sT:..4 ~s-'
We have had six or eight weeks of discus
sion of my proposal, which has passed through
the satiIical stage and is now occupying the
serious thought of the voters of all parties, the
Democrats as we'll as others. .
Nothing could be quite SO disturbing to the
Democrats as to see an amalgamation of the
vote that is opposed to. them. This opposing
vote welded into single solid organization
would be the controlling vote in the nation
Naturally, the Democrats are not very keen to
see anything like this happen.
Hold Dosgedly to Their Grip.
BY good many Republicans my sugges.
tion has been cordially received, but the men in
control hold doggedly to the grip they have on
the organization, and to the old party name.
Their present scheme, as it is shading up, is
largely or almost wholly to pre-empt the
ground now occupied by the Progressives, not
for love of reform and better ideals, but to get
into the field where the perSimmons grow. With
political Bosses principles are easily readjusted
to opportunities.
But if, as is not probable, the Republicans
should succeed in reforming themselves within
their own party, casting out the rascalS and
squaring themselves to the preferential pri-
mary, to social justice, to industrial evolution
and to tirst-rate ideals they would be puny
thing in the strife for political supremacy with
out the numerical strength of the Progressives
The Republican name has done its work. Il
does not fit the situation today. 1t cannot be
the emblem of a nationwide party. and any
thing short of nationwide party doesn't
measure up to the requirements of the hour
The economic principles and wider nationasln
of the men composing the Republican partv
would not be less virile and forcefuI under a
new name that made them nationwide in scope
and application. To restrict these by clingins
to a name against which there is an undyinp
prejudice, as there is in the South against the
Republican name, is neither big nor broad no!
intelligent nor patriotic
Mere Name Is Nothing.
A mere name is nothing. The principles
and the heart back of a name are everything.
Tho oppoca anu ,f;|.r