Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-02-03

VICE.
Addressing the Portland Club last
week, Ex-GOv. William I. COBB OF
Roekland gave one of the most able and
reasonable outlines of the present mixed
condition in political matters that has
come 10 our notice.
The speech Of the former chief execu-
tive of the state was brief, eloquent and
filled with sound reasoning.
81 want to say two things at the out
set" said Mr.. Cobb after the applause
had died down when he was presented.
zone of them is that am Republican.
The second Is that | am going to talk
about politics, politics in its relation to
the state and the nation"
He said il was generally admitted that
there was something wrong with the
Republican party and that this wrong
should be righted. Before We discuss
the remedy for the troubles of the Re-
publican party" said the former Govern
or, sit is well to make good diagnosis
Of the case.
"The time is past when the business
man can afford to be ignorant OF politics
Nowadays he is forced TO take part in
politics in sheer self.defense. Not long
ago, il a business man were asked, he
would say be had no political preference.
But times have changed since then.
Anyone who has taken note of the legis-
lation for the past ten or fifteen years
must admit that laws have been put out
that cannot bu. fetter the Individual lib
critics of which We are proud 10 boast.
t. l. IL. E,r IN
some party, and ii ought to be the Re
publican party.
FACE NEW CONDITIONS.
The speaker said that when the Re
publican party first came into power
shortly after the Civil war, it bad the
men of that time to lead il and the con-
6itions following the great conflict with
which to deal. Now, however, there are
young men in the party who know little
II anything of those conditions. The
party is now facing conditions economic,
social aud political that the early lead
ers of the party could not foresee.
"This country will always be two
party country" said Gov. Cobb. lone
party will be in power aud the other
will be out. There will be sporadic par
ties spring up with some pet plans, but
in the final analysis there will be but
two parties.
"When We were In power, we talked
as II the Republican party had divine
Injunction to govern the country. We
were inclined to look upon the Demo
Gratis as a party that had no constructive
policies. What has happened? The
party that had no constructive power
has placed two laws into effect that are
Of the greatest economic power ever
passed. | refer TO the tariff and curren-
cy laws.
1.-THE Democrats have always believed
In low tariff. Now that they are IN
power they are trying TO carry those
principles into effect. In all justice II
must be said, the Democratic party has
kept faith with the people.
at the Republican party is to be a
party that will make successful Oppo-
nent, then il must have issues 10 which
we thoroughly and honestly believe, and
we can't afford to be divided 10 that OPP
position.
Gov, Cobb declared that ia Progress
siye ticket is put into the field in Sep
TENDER, then the chances for Republi-
can gubernatorisl victory are slim. he
pointed out that II only as many votes
should be thrown by the Progressives In
the state election as were cast In the spe-
cial election 10 the third district, then it
would be easy to defeat the Republican
candidate.
IF we are fair with ourselves and look
the situation fully in the face" he de-
.t~ cd hat "A 4
hope Is in united party.
"The Democrats claim that q low cost
of living, high wages and general pros
perity will follow their policies, and the
foundation for that claim 10 the tariff.
II they are found to be correct in their
claims and we have that, what more can
any patriotic citizen ask? II they sue
coed, the Republican party must seek
new issues or go out of business. / be- |
lieve that that combination cannot re-
suit. I do not believe II Is sound doc |
triue, but no man Is wise enough at this |
day to say that II is impossible. But
until this fact Is demonstrated, the Re-
publicans must stand with an unbroken |
front to the effect that the protective |
tariff must be kept for this country. The
Progressive party is with US in that pro- |
lection.
PRoGREssIvEs WERE SINCERE.
at is not right to find fault with the
Progressives for leaving the Republican
party. There were good reasons In
some cases. The episode at Chicago |
was bu, an episode. The rank and file
Of those who became Progressives were
honest and sincere in their belief. The
Republican party was not alive TO the
big issues Of the day.
"If were asked the apparent cause of
the Ill repute in which the Republican
party is held, would say that it was
the failure of the Republican party to
reduce the tariff, and that the leaders of |
the party had fallen out Of line with the
country and that they were in line with
what we have termed the special inter
ests.
IL you wish to succeed, IL you believe
In Republican policies and Republican
principles, you have got to have the Pro-
gressives. / for one regret that the Re-
publican party has stood still. Well
never succeed unless We stop this abuse
and pounding Of the rank and file Of the
Progressive party and win them back
WIN 10, tucy eAo AtoRuOhSoao ~
heart. Those men who left because of
Mr.. Roosevelt are willing to come back
and be with US as the opponents OF the
Democratic party.
1--WE must make an appeal to the
young men Of the state to come into the
party. You can't get them in by saying
they can't come unless they are stand
patters. II you try to, you'll be on the
outside warming your toes az you have
been. They were Republicans once, and
they are now, for they believe in the pro-
tective tariff IL Mr.. Wilson's principle
10 right, We must have new issues with
which to face tho opposition party.
I'VE have been waiting for someone to
say what other issue there Is than the
tariff. We didn't do what We should
have done at the proper time. We
should keep to the front and help make
these issues. I believe the Republican
party has great future before 1t a. 1t
bad 80 years ago. IL the careful mon, II
the reasonable men were to ask those Of
the other side to come back, believe
they would be reasonable and do so. We
can then place the Republican party
back In power"
National Commissioned Of Education
CLAYTON ID likely to get himself disliked
4