Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-10-01
Progressive View Versus Psrkhurst.

To the Editor of the Kennebec Journal:
We notice the publication of what Mr..
Parkhurst, Chairman of the RePuhle an
State committee, says is established By
An unprecedented analysis OF the votes
cast in Maine at the election held an
Monday, Sept. 14th," and feel it to be the
duty of some Progressive writer to point
out some of the fallacies upon which said
statement is founded. and some of the
erroneous claims and conclusions which
it contains.
Mr. Parkhurst assumes II to be fact
that both. the Republican and Progressive
voters believe in the Republican pr1nci-
pies, and that their present division rests
principally upon the question of Leader
ship rather than differences Of pffnc'-
pies"
What are the 'fprinciplss'' Of the Re-
publican party? What, indeed. but the
principles of the leaders of that party!
The men who control the Republican
party. prate OF the principles Of thas
party, and expect men to revere 1t be-
cause IT came Of noble ancestry. and
because it's early steps were guided ana
guarded by Lincoln. Phillips, Car
rison and a Summer; and forget that
that their places have been taken BY
Root, Crane. a Barnes and Penrose !:
whose spirit today animates and controls
the acts of the party. as did the sp,rit 9 o.
And so II is very easy to see that the
question of leadership is also the dues-
| ton of principle, ana that they are one
| and inseparable.
Men do not gather figs of thistles'' /;
neither does pure water flow from an
| impure fountain. The leaders OF the he
publican party carry its principles in
their hearts, and while they may IN pres.
emit alarm hide the eloven foot, 1t would
quickly reappear once they we're safely
again in the saddle.
The use which Mr.. Parkhurst makes Of
the selected figures Of previous elections.
he comfort which
he appears to derive from their perusai,
reminds me Of a baby sucking sweet
ened rag. 1t pacines him for the moment.
but he will end up with no nourisnhent
and a stomach full of wind.
The figures which Mr.. Parkburst gives
serve to befog rather than to ei2rfy the
subject. The 1896 votes which eiectea
Plaisted in 1910 showed the measure q
disgust and the strength of the Rebellion
of men who had become disguised with
the Republican machine. the supporters
of which machine, and their lineal de-
the custodians OF Republican principles"
| in the State OF Maine.
The fact that a perusal Of the election
returns of this State for the last 90 years,
jority dwindled from more than 1000
down TO defeat (and that too before the
Progressive party was ever fnought OF
can make man think that og eligSnat-
ing the Progressive party the Repupiieana
hover and prestige, shows q Political
blindness that Is beyond telr.
If it were possible for the Rspubheans
to destroy the Progressive paTV ana
leave the Democrats. party - the only
opponent OF the Republican ns%chlne, 1t
would result IN making Maine perma-
nently Democratic. -.
The Republican party Is poor old
blind Samson grown corrupt with years;
who prefers to pull down TIE pillars Of
the temple upon frisnA ana toe Y 70 Gan
not be permitted to Lead Vicious ife'
and this he asks men Go assist MIN U az
ing in order to save them fyon tAe pepo-
crats-'A plague on both your houses
Mr.. Parkhurst says: THOSE VINO pc
lieve in Republican pfdpciples SHOULD eeS
together" and we think they shonid !;
but we deny that the "rdnciples' o9 the
Republican party are TIE Yrlnclples o.
the Progressive party. He iiheWlee says:
1T (the election) ALSO estaplishss the fact
enjoys the confidence and support OF the
party membership
This statement or Chairman Parkhurst
Ii wholly erroReous. IN the recent acc
ton the men who call themselves fTo-
Observation-Disclosures aud "Rooaevelt-
Republicans for the tirge being apan-
doned all that they fought for In 1919 and
saw only the rum question; and rnae
through a colored glass.
Notwithstanding the claim at the Be-
publicans that the Republican party. IL
party, Mr.. Parkhurst In an unkuArded
moment says. ''rhs Republican party
needs not only the assistance of the vot-
ing strength Of those who acted with the
Progressives will give to It, bat 90 Fell
the leaven OF progressive ideas and pro-