Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1914-01-31

10 keeping up the organization of the
Progressive party, because It can not
and will not supplant the Repub
hcan organization. 1t has no vital
principle, and advances no live issue
outside of those of tho Republican
party, upon which it can survive
In every state and congressional cleo.
ton in this country since 1912, with
perhaps one single exception. tho
strength OF tho Progressive party has
dwindled pathetically. In every in.
stance with the one exception noted,
the vote of the party fell off from
that Of 1912 anywhere from forty to
ninety per cent. In all OF these cleo.
tons, the nominees Of the Progressive
party accomplished nothing beyond
and above aiding the Democratic par.
~ and its candidates. For a forcible
lesson along this line, we need not 20
away from home. In the special con.
gressional election recently held in
the first district OF our own state. the
progressive candidate, Mr.. Laughlin
came out very poor third. but he
did succeed in drawing away from
the Republican candidate barei;
enough votes to defeat him and to
elect Mr.. Nicely, the Democrat So II
Will be in the future. If the Progress
siVc organization is maintained In the
stat" ami tn" nation, it mntssucceed in
SO dividing mp the votes OF those who
are opposed to the principles advo.
Gated by the Democratic party. that
the latter may continue in power in
dohnIlely in the nation. AS to the re-
suit III our own state. you surely know
rs 40 the other leaders OF the Third
rarity movement, that it can result IN
nothing else than tho success Of the
Democratic party. With tho mainte.
nance OF Il Third Party organization,
with the candidate in the field, It
means Democratic governor, with
the state government Democratic In
all us branches, including a Demo.
cratic Legislature and six Democratic
congressman and Democratic United
states senator. And because OF what?
not by reason of a division Of the Re-
puDilcan party on any vital issue OF
ponucal principle, but on account OF
row among the leaders and would
De leaders or the party, over the nam.
ing OF party candidate. believe
that II tho Chicago national conven.
tion OF 1912 had been fairly conducted
that Col. Roosevelt would have been
nominated. believe he was the choice
OF a large majority OF the Republican
voters OF the country. For this rea-
son supported him in the general
election and also to rebuke the Re-
publican leaders for the methods used
IN nominating Mr.. Taft. For nv
course in the matter, I have no apol-
ogy to offer. But to go further. I can
not. To do so would be to do violence
10 my political conscience and the
sacrlhce or political principles that I
nave always believed in and adyo-
Gated
In the third and last place, I believe
that 1t is the duty Of every Republican
and every Progressive party man tn
forget past differences and rally under
the ola banner, and thus present
soma 'front.' to the common foe. Ma
chlne methods Of nominating candf-
oates died in the national convention
IN l3l2, just as they died in our own
state convention in 1908. We have
hothlng to fear from ghost Of the
departed; but much to be apprehen-
SlVe about from Democratic control OF
both state and nation. Let US have A
lar open, primary, honestly conduct
ed, III which all Progressive. Repub-
leans and all Old Line Republtcans
can enter with the assurance that they
Will be fairly dealt with and that who
ever receives majority Of the votes
IN the primary will have the united
ana loyal support Of both factions at
the polls. But those who favor tha
democratic party and desire to see
tt succeed, shQuld be manly enough
10 come out irthe open and cast his
'ot with it and fight directly for the
principles it advocates. BY such a
course those who favor that party will
not only have an opportunity to aid
ana assist in the election Of it's can
d1dates, but will no doubt be accorded
tne privilege of having a small share
IN determining who those candidates
will be.
Holding the foregoing views. It will
De pam to you why tender my res.
lGndtlOn as q m 70 H.