The Washington herald., 1914-08-09
VANISHING PRoGREss1vEs.
News of the Party's Collapse Com
ing from Ali Sides.

Almost as suddenly as the war crisis
has startled an unprepared world comes
news from all sides Of the collapse Of
the Progressive party. More than 100
men who voted its ticket in 1872 met in
indianapolis to announce their return 20
the Republican fold. Some Of them have
been leaders In the new organization
which was to regenerate America, but
are now ready to renew their old allie
glance The reasons for their detection
no longer exist, they stated in their
explanation to the press: The organ
lied protest against methods and men.
but not against principles. was effec-
tuaI. The purpose Of the third party
is accomplished" In their view IL dies
victorious. The Republican state chair
man jubilantly exclaimed that the Pro-
gressive rank and file are with US heart
and soul in support Of the party Of pro-
lection"
When a few Louisiana sugar Democrats
placed private gain above party prin-
cipIe and boIted to the Progressives. Col
Roosevelt sent them kilograms Of con-
graduation on their high-minded action.
II Is safe to say that he will be as
silent about this detection in Indiana
as he has been in regard TO the similar
Signs from other States. OF these there
have been so many as to furnish a par
after all those glowing assertions that
the Progressives never. never would COM
promise. In the old days, no one used
to be more sensitive political barom-
eter than the colonel: ii IA not beyond
the range Of possibility that his bril-
liant stroke of matchmaking on Human
was FASTENED by a recognition that be-
fore so very long he may have little or
nothing left to trade with. The disin-
NJ h. IN
must have been particularly trying 20
him. for. like Indiana and California,
Massachusetts was a banner State. But
when Mr.. Charles S Bird refused to be
a candidate for governor for the third
time. the life seemed 20 go out Of the
party. 1t has lost its Boston newspa-
| per; its candidate, Joseph Walker. Is a
weak leader. II only because he did not
| leave the Republican party until he had
association with II. Worst OF all. the
handful Of rich men who have financed
the Progressives have withdrawn their
support. 50 thar the manager. after a
futile struggle TO raise a war fund
Of 5000. have been compelled TO settle
their debts at 80 cents on the dollar
rather an interesting position for a party
Of social justice 10 occupy.
Here in New York the colo -Iels nomi-
nation Of Human has not gone 80 well
as appeared al hrst. II the ex-senator
seems to have the lead, neither District
Attorney Whitman nor Job Hedges. who
! is very popular in certain upstate cOUn-
I ties. gives any sign Of withdrawing
| There is some talk Of a compromise can
didate upon whom all three could agree
evidence Of this being the attempt to
induce Senator Root TO run. The truth
is that conscientious Progressives are
shocked not only by the colOneTs vote
face. but by his open bossing Of the
whole party. Chairman Bird suIks in
his tent There is little enthusiasm left.
II the truth be told: and il will be
amusing TO see how rapidly the rank and
file will now return TO the Republican
bandwaEOn. Mr.. RoOsevelt's maneuyers
TO capture the Republican nomination in
1916 are certain to be the chief interest
remaining in the party. Its existence
will always be quoted as the most re-
popularity and political power in or
history. for the rest IL bids fair 70 go
the way Of all our other th!rG-Tarty
movements before two years more have
passed All Of this vii, justify the 20
sit!on Of those who held from the first
that no new party can come into b-.ns
without some one compelling moral or
economic issue: that a program OF all
the virtues. attractive as il may be
does not afford a sound political basis.
at least when coupled with the fortunes
Of an ambitious self-seeker without con-
sistency or fixed prinCiple.-New York
Evening Post.