The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-04-14

ing. The Republican party in West
Virginia faces aFcrists just as grave
and just as definite as that which, as
sailed it in 1872 But IL faces an OPP
portunitY Just as definite and Just az
promising as the crisis is grave. II
the Republicans Of West Virginia VIII
meet properly the conditions which
now confront the party, crisis can be
turned into victory, and rehabiltta=
tion made complete
In this work much depends upon
the coming state convention, and
Just as much upon the spirit Of the
local conventions which VIII raise the
state convention delegates. II the
Republicans, In state convention as
semhled, will grasp the opportunity.
which will there present itself; n
they will sheW proper recognition of
existing conditions; if they will show
proper regard for the signs OF the.
times; IL they viii, as a majority Of
those who still call themselves Re-
publtcans desire to do. make Just ana
proper concessions, and no unFeason-
able concessions at that, the Repup4i-
can party in West Virginia will renew
its youth, it's strength viii be restored
and it will continue the progressive
legislative and administrative infu-
ence in the state Of West Virginia.
Notwithstanding the attitude OF
those who declare that there can o9
no compromise, no middle graund OF
mutual agreement reached by n4utu i
concession, it is well known that
ninety per cent OF those who call
themselves Progressives, however
great or however slight per centage
of the Republican party of 1912 this
may represent. are, willing and even
anxious to return to the party fold,
upon terms which to them may seem
just and honorable. And If the Re-
publican organization, as 1t will be
in the coming state con-
vention, and as ii Will be created by
the people at home il, the local dele
gate conventions, shall rise to this
situation with generous and DlC1- OF
lie purposes. ii can lay the foundation
for Il :ci.lon so nearly complete as
To !esHe little to be desired.
The Progressiyes and the Republic
cans were as one on matters of state
purport in 1919. They supported the
same candidates and held common
heritage in the Republican state Fiat
form, !, document as progressive as
has ever been put forward by pos
litical party in any state.
The majority OF the Progressiyes
are today awaiting definite official ac-
tion on the part Of the Republicans,
and if. Lhis action shall be in accord
with what they consider reasonable
and Just treatment, and III II encom-
passes the COHCSpsAOHS W men LIE
Progressivess might reasonably de-
mund, in view of their strength, the
beg inning of the end of strife will
have been reached in West Virginia,
and West Virginia viii have shown
the other states the way to peace and
reunion.
This the Republican party can do
without any sacrifice of its dignity or
mutiIation of its principles. 1t will
represent merely a transition which
will bring the party into harmony
with itself, leaving off the few tenets
that the times have outgrown, and
taking on the tenets that the new
times demand.
The Democrats of West Virginia
will not be found over enthusiastic
this year. The Office seekers will be
active, and fractional strife win run
high. But there will be little enthus-
iasm among the masses. Repu bill
can opportunity beckons, in spite of
conditions which. at first blush, may
unpromfsing, The Democrats
will be weakened by strife within
their own ranks. But this will not be
all. When confronted with the as
given the people in 1912
that Democratic tariff would cut the
cost of living in half, they cannot ex-
plain why their panacea has failed,
though forced to admit that it has
failed utterly.