Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-05-08
Thrilling Address of Hon. Ralph
Cole. at The Fifth Congressional
District Get-together Meeting at
Wauseon, April 2Sth, 1914. Ire
futable Reasons Why Republicans
! and Pfogressives Should be One
Party.

Mr.. Chairman:-The reunion of the
Republican and Progressive forces OF
the nation is imperative. Every con-
sideration of national we'll being de-
mands it.
The "Get-together" movement has
sprung from the rank and file, in
spired by the spirit of patriotism and
selfish ambitions cannot destroy it.
1t is the response of the people to
plain mandate of public duty. Let
leaders take notice and "Stand to-
gether or stand aside." The success
of this crusade is as certain as the
triumph of truth. No power can stem
the tides of reunion between these
two mighty and militant forces OF
progress. REUNION is WRITTEN
IN THE NATIONS WILL AND
THE PARTY OF LINCOLN SHALL
BE RESTORED.
What was the cause of war be-
tween these two factors, hitherto
harmonious? We did not disagree
upon the primary questions OF party
faith. On principles of government
and policies of administration, we
were in practical accord. There was
no "irrepressible conflict of opinion"
such as gave birth to the Republican
Party. There was no serious discord
over the national platform of 1912.
In Ohio, the Progressive candidate
for governor, sought the Republican
nomination after the adoption of the
resolutions. He thereby confessed
faith in the Republican principles un-
till the hour of defeat. Fundamental
w we were still members of the same
political family, somewhat torn by
internal strife It's true, but fund
amentally, the same.
We divided upon Questions of party
organization, control and leadership.
We were rent assunder by contro-
versy, not over measures, but men,
by conflict, not over principles, but
personality; by struggle, not over
articles of faith, but rule of organiza-
ton.
/ submit with all candor, that
while such matters may properly
constitute a cause of protest, they
3 are not the material out of which
great political parties are construct
ed. N&
What conditions justify the organi-
.zation of a new political party in this
nation? In the discussion of this
proposition, / ask you to bear. in
mind the important distinction, be-
tween an organized protest and pol
itica1 party. The one designed to be
temporary, and the other permanent;
the one designed to work a reform
! of the party, and the other to work a
reform through the party; the one
designed to accomplish a specific pur-
pose, the ether equipped for all ac-
tivities of political life. Let US be
fair and admit that the national
committee in the Chicago Convention
exercised its powers arbitrarily. 1t
might mitigate the penalty, but not
lessen the offense, by citing notable
nrecedents for its action. The best
thing to do with a bad precedent is
to destroy it and establish new ore
harmony with the principles of
equity and justice Millions of men,
who believed in the principles of the
Republican Party, considered the ac-
ZION of the Committee as unjust and
proceeded to file a most emphatic
protest. It was an organized protest,
a protest of colossal proportions, "a
protest as Emerson said sin cannon
balls'." Now that the protest has
been effective, should the, organiza-
! tion be continued as permanent pol
/. itical party?
In Republic, political parties are
not founded upon personalities
Washington and Hamilton were the
founders of the Federalist Party, not
because of their commanding preson-
alities, but by reason of 4. the prin-
o;v1Iao oF
which they advocated. Jefferson was
the father of Democracy not because
of his impressive personality, but by
reason of the principle of Democracy
which he proclaimed. Lincoln was the
founder Of the Republican party not
because of his sublime personality,
but because he was the flaming
evangel of human freedom, the most
potent agent of Providence in the ap-
plication of the principles embodied
in the Declaration of Independence.
In the earlier stages of civilization,
enduring dynasties could be es-
tablished around great personalities,
for the people had faith in personal
government; but our ancestors re-
jected that. doctrine. They had en-
dured the tyranny of personal rule
{ and sought relief through a govern
ment of law, the Supreme purpose of
the fathers of the Republic was, to
establish on the American continent,
a constitutional government, founded
on freedom, with vitality to enforce
the fundamental rights of man and
coupled with the power of self pres
ervation. In such a government, with
a people so governed, political parties
depend for permanency not on per-
sonalities that pass, but upon prin-