New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-13
Progressive RepubIicanism.

MI President. when we plead for
progressive Republican party We do not
plead for fances, for distractions. but
for nothing more and nothing less than
the sincere and courageous adjustment
and application of sound principles of
government to the Industrial and eco
nomic conditions of to-day to the end
that this may not become a government
of the few. of the rich and OF the strong,
but remain still and always p govern
ment Of the people by the people and for
the people.
When our party put the interstate
commerce act upon the statute books this
was denounced as socialism and unwork-
able. When il put the rebate act among
our laws il was decried as visionary and
impracticable When it enacted a pure
food law II was criticised AS the last step
in paternalism. When the Sherman anti
trust law was put upon the books il was
pronounced by great lawyers as unen-
forceable, or If enforceable, unconstitu-
tional.
When the party enacted postal say
ings bank law and a parcels post law
these were regarded as further evidence
Of reckless and headstrOng paternalism
When the child labor bureau was created
a solemn plea went up for the integrity
Of the family and against the rude inter-
ference OF the state with family ties.
"Now. sir. we ask for nothing more and
will be reconciled with nothing less than
the free, full expression and the full flow
of opinion. i'm party organization and
party affairs among It's voters and MEM
bers. 10 the end that this great code OF
humane and progressive laws, OF wise and
permanent institutions. may be extended,
that the work may go on until political
freedom shall be at the beginning and
Industrial freedom AT the end OF the party
story. until monopoly. ten thousand times
worse than. black slavery. shall under
stand that between II and republican in
situations there is eternal war-MeXican
war. where all the captured are slain
without the benefit OF clergy.
Finally sir. the party faces the future
not in pessimism and despair. but with
an unfaltering faith in republican inst-
tutions. and the judgment and wisdom
OF the people as from time TO time, with
brave and patient step. they measure up
10 the work When YOU reach down into
the hearts OF the millions OF Republican
voters. men and women whose devotion
and foresight and patriotism have made
this marvellous history OF the last fifty
wears. YOU will lind written there these
broad and hopeful convictions. which are
bound in the end 10 have sway bound I'm
the end 10 direct the party. and the soon
or all who doubt or hold back understand
this and stand out OF the line OF fire the
better Tor all concerned"
J. Van Nechten Olcott president OF the
Republican club. who presided. read this
letter which Robert 7. Lincoln. sent to
Henry Birrell. the clubs secretary. in
response 10 an invitation 10 the dinner:
II express again my deep appreciation
Of the many times repeated invitation OF
the Republican club to attend its annual
dinner in commomoration OF my fathers
birthday For the reasons which | have
80 often given. ! must refrain from &C
ceptng II. and expressing in person the
gratitude feel 70 all the members for
using this particular occasion To indicate
their LOYALTY 10 our republican institu
tiors. whose preservation was the great
object OF my fathers life a