The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-04-16
NICHOLAS COUNTY PROGRESSIVE
HAS GOOD PLAN FOR REUNION

institutions, the cherished results OF
Republican principles and policies. To
which they have been lifelong sdher-
vicious attacks of an incompetent and
disloyal minority party.
Favor Immediate Reunion.
Under existing conditions all these
old Republicans. without exception.
favor immediate reunion: all they
want Is TO get together on a represen-
tative basis. and the writer believes
this can be effected through a union
primary. TO be conducted along lines
mere indicated.
In the application OF this method.
few difficulties will. OF course. b.
encountered. tut they are not insuper-
able.
As a first proposition. both wings
OF the party must be accorded Peace
With honor" and this will necessi-
tate the abdication OF former Repub-
lcan managers repudia.ed by the
progressive wing. The change re-
IN national conventions Is not enough.
The Progressive wing will insist upon
new deal throughout all State
and county organizations. so that the
reunited party may be directly in
touch with the people. and this idea
should be acceptable TO the "regu-
lars. There has long been a grow
ing sentiment among the rank and
file against long incumbency of of.
fee, and no valid objection can be
urged against a new selection of CON-
mitteemen and candidates throughout,
! as basis OF reunion. But this will
be no bar to present office holders
being candidates for reelection.
A second apparent difficulty is IN.
VOWED in the selection OF a party
name. Some will prefer one existing
name or another. and others Will pre-.
Ter the name "Progressive-Reput
can, which has already been used in
several local elections. But this
I question Is entirely sentimental
I not
In this connection II will be inter.
esting TO note the many changes OF
name which have been made in the
| political parties OF the country since
I the organization of our government
Thus the present Republican party
With its cardinal doctrines OF patriot
Ism and loyalty TO American institu
lions; protection TO American indus.
tries; extension OF internal improve.
ments, and the cultivation OF a strong
spirit of nationalism, is the direct
political heir OF the original FEEDER
alist, National Republican" and
I "Whig" parties OF the period before
the Civil War. the present Republi.
can party taking that name in 1856
I While the Democratic party as identi.
he'd by its cardinal doctrines of anti
nationalism. free trade and disloyalty
10 American principles OF govern
ment. is the direct political heir of
the "Anti-Federalist" and "Republi.
can parties of the early DAYS.
In 1896 and 1900. jefferson, the pa.
! iron saint OF modern Democracy. was
the candidate for President OF the
Republican" party OF that day, al
lnnnUh Ill
} posed 10 that OF modern Republican
] ism.
Thus the sentimental attachement
OF some for particular party namt
q Is without foundation. And IL ths
majority of the voters in a union pri
mary should prefer the name PRO
gressive-Republiean or some other
mere would be no inconsistency In
/ adopting IL.
Question Of Platform.
Another question will arise In the
selection OF a platform: but for reor
sanitation purposes, both wings OF
/ the party should find no difficulty In
standing on the Republican platform
OF 1905. OF course, the Progressives
VIII wish eventually TO incorporate IN
| the platform of the reunited part,
{ some ideas which appeared in the Pro
gressiye platform OF 1912, and thi!
! desire should not be unreasonably op
/ posed by the regulars" MANY OF
these progressive ideas are distinct,
meritorious. and can be adopted witt
/ profit. But the time and place 10 con
slider them will be in a national con
Nention. after reorganization. wher
they can be fully debated in a calm
and friendly spirit. For present pur
! poses, the platform of 1908 should
! De satisfactory TO all
The most important question is the
selecton OF medium through which
/ To hold and conduct the proposed pri
. mary. But there Is no real dificulty
mere. Since the Republican party ha.
| Tor sixty years been Loyalty supportsf
[ by both wings. in it's championship
OF american institutions. that party
stands In the relation of Father and
Mother TO both. and there can be
no sound objection TO holding the pro
/ posed primary under such auspices
| provided its representative character
can be assured. and undue influence
/ by former party managers be pre-
vented. With these points settled. n
Is most natural and fitting that sucf
I 2 primary should be conducted through
me agency OF the Republican organi
4 zation. and in West virginia anf
other states where the Progressivs
! committees mot the voters) seem tr
I De opposed to union. this party offers
the only available medium. III ths
various Republican state committees
| VIII take the initiative in a friends
/ and patriotic spirit. and issue calls
Tor statewide primaries TO be held
under their auspices. the writer Il
| convinced that the great mass OF
: frogressives will al once respond.
| Now as 10 the method.
Method Proposed.
LEI tho Efafn com vaFes..