Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-05-13

Lincoln, that all power vested in the
national Constitution and in state Con-
situations, and in all of the republic,
have power and influence so long as
the intelligence and the will of the
people stand back of them and be-
lieve in them.
This is absolutely fundamental in
republic like ours, and so long as we
conduct our cities and our states and
our nation in harmony with this great
fundamental declaration of Abraham
Lincoln, that all power and authority
are derived always frem the people,
so long will we be building our State
and national life in harmony with
those eternal principles that forever go
to crown humanity. For only so long
as national and State life outspeak
and declare the will of the people,
only so long is that nation and State
progressive only SO long as the people
are interested enough in it to put
their minds into the national and
State life, do they grow mentally and
morally.
In the hour when you have sep
arated the Constitution of the nation
or the State from the will of the peo-
ple in the moment when you take
the Constitution beyond the intelli-
gent reach of the people, in that hour
you have separated power from its
source and you let it go on and uld-
mately destroy it. And because some
shibboleth shall suffer in adhering to
these principles, or some party win
that we do not wish to see win, Gen.
tler0an let us he lInafraid.
Hon. Halbert P. Gardner of Port
land, Progressive candidate for Gov
ernor. took the platform. Three
rousing cheers We're extended him as
he came forth to address the people.
He spoke as follows:
The national platform of the Pro-
gressive party embodies and expresses
the best thought of today on the So
cial and economic needs of our coun-
try. The subject matter in each Sec
ton presents in condensed, concise,
straightforward language criticism Of
obsolete, harmful political practices
and methods, and offers remedy. 1t
represents the life work of many noble
men and women on vital matters
which must be given attention if the
spirit of American ideals of govern
ment is to be preserved.
The force of the Progressive move
ment is a patriotic desire to do for
American welfare. Earnest men and
women. fully aware Of the tremen-
dous responsibility and the almost
| endless labor involved in building d
| new party, welcome the struggle.
Men who had long and faithfully
tried to correct the evil in the sys-
tenn of old party organization-men
of unquestioned political experience,
who are thoroughly aware OF the prac-
teal difficulties cheerfully took a
stand with the new party. Such men,
leaders of the new movement, knew
that the desire to do for the people
as whole must find expression
| through a new party. The selfish
system and the perverted management
of the old parties consistently oppose
any attempt at real popular govern
ment The leaders and those who
control the affairs of the old parties
do not believe the people can, or
| should govern themselves. No change
from control of government by the
| few is granted except under compul-
sion.
The strongest indication that our
| ideals will be put in force by law Is
| the pretended and partial adoption
of the Progressive PLATFORM by old
| party organizations. Imitation is
most sincere fattery."
| Political expediency, not American
welfare, controls the action Of old
party leaders. 1t has been their habit
| too long to change.
| The State platform of the Progress
| sive party in Maine follows the high
aim of our National organization. We
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