Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-10-05
PROGRESSIVE REPUBuCANISM.

The rank and file of the republican
party in Oregon is progressive. Not
in the sense of leaving the old party.
but rather reforming il from within.
But progressive they are. first last
and all the time. So much so indeed
that they prefer a progressive demo-
crat to a reactionary republican.
This republican sentiment was dem
onstrated beyond argument in the
election of Chamberlain, Lane and
West. Notwithstanding the regis
tered vote of the state was over
whelmingly republican, these pro-
gressiye democrats secured a sub
stantial majority at the polls. Rath-
er than an endorsement of democ-
racy, it was a rebuke TO stand-pat
republicanism, and should have been
a lesson to republican leaders. Such
a lesson, indeed, as to restrain stand
pat candidates from entering the
race. So far it seems the lesson has
been little regarded by old-line repub-
lcan politicians. Still they attempt
to force their reactionary ideas on
republican voters by putting forward
candidates out of harmony with pro-
gressive republican sentiment. The
rank and file of the party will not
stand for it. Already they have indi-
Gated that beyond cavil. II was
demonstrated throughout the nation
in the election of a democratic can
gress. and in the party itself by the
most serious party split that has oe-
Cured in the history of this country.
Those who imagine that Roosevelt s
strength in the last election came en-
tirely from his personal popularity
will find themselves disillusioned.
The people are for progressive ideas
and against the Cannon type OF
craftsmanship. and they intend tc
have it exemplified in government
They are adopting practical, not sen.
timental methods to secure il. This
year few progressives registered un'
der the new banner. There was nc
need for it. Determined, as they
were. that reactionary political meth.
ods should cease, they proposed tc
adopt a more practical way. Instead
OF joining an apparent hopeless
cause. for the sake of a name. they
have elected to administer another
rebuke by supporting progressive
democrats, and this they are sure &c
do. Old party lines and prejudices
have vanished before this demand
They will have nothing less than mer
who believe in progressive principles
and will act in harmony with those
ideas, no matter whether the candi.
dacy is under the party banner ot
republican, d" progressive" or dem
ocratic" They are no longer for {
name. they demand the substance
They are no less republican than IL
the past. They stick TO the old ten
cts. They stand for all those prinei
pies that made for the glory OF th'
party in the past. But they also real
iIe that a highbinding band Of politi
cal buccaneers has usurped contro
OF the republican party and debase'
and debauched its principles. so tina
under it's rule the party stands no
for the things that made il great an
poverful-the greatest good to III
greatest number-but for favoritisr
and special privilege. And they ar
determined that one OF two thing
shall transpire: either that contrC
shall be again lodged with leaders
harmony with its original principle
or they will support candidates VII
stand for those principles wherevt
found.