Morris tribune., 1914-11-13
A SWING TO CONSERVATISM

The political pendulum swings from progressive
conservative and conservative progressive and back
and forth Both schools of thought useful degree
and both undesirable when carried to extremes
The whole political thought has been swingi ng to the
progressive for number of years. until the era of the
big wind reached such height that return to the norm
al certain Some evidence of the return notice
able two years ago. this year there pronounced
ment toward the conservative.
The Wadena Pioneer-Journal ably sums up the evid-
of the trend to conservatism makes help
full suggestions for the future:-
'"There is good to believe that some of the
edge off the radical which has been sweep
ing the country for the past six years. Indications that
this not failing The latest is the defeat of
the LaFolete candidates in the recent Wisconsin primary
and the victory of the old line Republicans all along the
line Further indications multiply in all quarters of the
country. California the home of Roosevelt's running
mate Gov Hiram johnson, in which the regular Republi
had their entire organization stolen from them by
trckery showed great preponderance of Republicans
the primary In New York COL Roosevelt himself
has had the misfortune to be fouted by the party
which he supposed to be responsible and of which
he is reckOned the chief oracle In Illinois, despite the
opposition of W. j. Bryan Roger Sullivan nominated
for the United States by 60 900 plurality
holly contested primary fight.
'Of all these the result in Wisconsin the most
tightening In the state Senator LaFollette has been
supreme for many years. and it is evident that the
the state had become tired of his rule for rule it
the rule CT boss intensified It rule which brook.
ed oppostion which declared all in opposition to be
deslrables
''From all these indications the Pioneer Journal
makes the prediction that the time is hand for the
conservative element of the Republican party to
together Republicans, adopt declaration of principles
which will be modelled upon old fashioned Republican lines
and then take stand in independent for the
principles which they hold dearprincipes under which
the United States enjoyed it's greatest prospery-prn-
cipes which just is right today they in the
time of Abraham Lincoln principles which today just
necessary the welfare of the nation they
were. There many such Republicans in Minnesota.
Over rs 900 of them cast their vote for Taft last
many other thousands who that year wandered fom
the fold are sorry for having done
''These Republicans should foregather and resolve
among themselves that their first duty is to Ltake firm
for the principles which they hold dear They
should take this stand without regard future political
personal political preferment Regardless of
the number of votes which they muster they should
make plain to all people that at last they have the
of their convictions and that the rantng of the
professional called progressive reformers no
First of the principles thus to be enunciated should
be rearmaton of belief of constitutional government
No pains should be spared to make it plain that
utterly opposed to legislation which looks ultimate
government of what is known as pure democracy. 1t
SHOULD be their slogan that the people should rule not
that this country should become of initiative and
referendum There should towards the ranks
every should be willing subscribe to the belief
that this is and always should remain country of
sentative form of government.
Another plan which should be equally prominent
would be to the effect that protective tariff which
gives American labor and American labor protection is
necessity for the continued prosperity Of the union This
is issue which is just good and its justice is even
more evident, today. than before
But above all else, it should be made evident that
only those would be welcomed who would be willing to
make the fight for the sake of the principle involved only
Office seekers and popularity chasers should be requested
remain outside Let's have organization made up
men who are willing to fight wholehearedy for what
they believe"