The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-09-25
A CALL TO REPUBLICANS.

baltimore American
There has been much casting around
for a name under which the temporarily
disunited elements of the historic Re-
publican party may reunite and become
again, as it was for half-century, the
party of progressive ideals and con-
structive progress. Congressman-elect
John A. Peters of the Third Maine
district-the Republican who won in the
recent special election-in a letter of
thanks to Congressman Gardner, of
Massachusetts, for assistance in the
preliminary campaign, refers to Mr..
Gardner as the exponent of the new,
liberal Republicanism. Of this liberal
brand of Republicanism which reunited
the party in the Third Maine district
Congressman-elect Peters declares that
it embodies the best ideals of both wings
of the Republican party, and eventually
Twill solidify US into one anthem
ocratic organization.
The qualification in Maine at the Sep
TENDER election was not as complete as
it should have been. But the Maine
Republicans and Progressives realized,
what Republicans and Progressives
everywhere must realize, that the split
in the Republican party meals keeping
in power of minority party so long as
Republicans and Progresslves remain at
cross purposes. The Republican party,
except for the cleavage that was
brought about preceding the last pres
idential election, is not a minority party
nationally. On the contrary, as indicat
ed by last year S election figures, it is
majority party by more than round
million Of voters.
1t should not be necessary to prove to
those who have in the past been Re-
publicans, by citation Of the historic
facts, that the Republican party always
has been party of liberal ideals and
progressive politics. If we go no further
back than the last administration, this
can be demonstrated by the records of
accomplished results. Government
must always be progressive, just as the
civilian Is progressive. But there is the
continuous danger that in the clamor for
too rapid progress or for progress in the
wrong direction government may be
hurried into operative forms that are
entirely unsuited to the developed stage
of the social organization. The Republi-
can party has always stood and most
always stand for sanity in progress.
The term Liberal Republcanism
presents the suggestion Of party atti-
tude toward new ideals OF progress
which should bring together all the
forces which in the past have affiliated
under the name Republican. The two
wings of the Republican party must get
together in common cause in Mary
land, in Maine, in every state of the
Union. The Republican party must get
together in MARYLAND and make the
election which is now less than six weeks
off real contest 10 every county and in
every election precinct of the city.
Who can sincerely think that any
further good can come from an attempt
to establish new party? Persistence
in that attempt can only mean such a
division of the opposition to the Demo
cratic party as will insure the indefinite
continuance of that party in power.
The Democratic party has been in
control of the national government
for only little more than half a
year. The time has been taken up
almost entirely in making over the tariff
in accord with Democratic ideals. How
the country will do business under a
Democratic tariff cannot yet be said
the country is yet doing business under
Republican tariff embodying the pro-
tective principle. But already there
are signs that the proposed tariff policies
of the party in possession are not arous-
ing any expectant hopefulness. If there
is enthusiasm anywhere over the new
tariff, The American has failed to spot
lie IH0 NuulIly WILL VI SOuiSS, dCCSpt
it, and business everywhere will make
an effort to adjust to it.
But the situation already c)nvevs to
Republicans the call to get together.
Liberal Republicanism is to be battle
slogan in the states where elections will
be held in November. By the time the
1914 congressional campaign shapes up
the slogan will be sounding from Maine
to California--from Maryland to Oregon.
But there must be no waiting for next
year. Get together now. Maryland
Republicans and Progressives must get
behind the Liberal Republican ticket
which has been nominated.