Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1914-02-15

they are forms that have proved unsuc-
cessful in history not any more
likely 10 prevent abuses because they
REQUIRE three times as much political
actyity from the people as does the
representative system.
Another difficulty the republican
which prevail today are SO different
from those which prevailed in the
carly part of the republic that rights
and duties may change, due TO the
present greater intcrdcpcHdence of
one class on another; and that needed
colloctiviSt legislation may somewhat
qualify the right of liberty, contract
and even Of property Such lcgisla
tive or il may be- constitutional
changes may be properly called pro
lrossile, as adapted to new condi-
lions and supplying new wants; but
an these can be effected without sub
stautial impairment Of individual
rights. or of their security and pro-
lection bv an independent Judiciary
and their preservation against the uu-
iust aaeresslon of majority or
minority p'uralit of the electorate.
When the Republicans Come Back.
These pftuciplss should form the
platform of Tho republican party in
the years and decades to come. II
.hcv do. and if the party conducts a
,amuai.n Of education from one cleC-
ton to anothCr, ana is not damtcd by
tcrcat or apparent popular distrust--
if it continues to tell the people the
truth and does not pursue tn" plan
II faWnuG or fllttery-it viii ulu-
mat,N succeed with them, and by
their will the heresies that now threat
IN The cause Of popular government
VIII be stamped out. Such a policy
IN the end will be the highest COM
rlimcnt the party can pay To the in
tClligeuce Of the American people, and
the strongest evidence Of its conf
dcnce IN the wisdom and honesty Of
their ultimate Judgment, and Of its
faith in popular government.
We can stand temporary defeat
office Is not essential to oar party's
existence; but If we cOncede the prin-
Cip'es that arc essential to the main
tcnance OF our present government;
If We seem to yield 10 any sOclalistic
proposition; if we abate a jot Of our
firmness with reference to the inde-
penderce Of the judiciary, and If we
accept as our leaders men who are
not sound in regard to these things
we shall destroy our power for use
fulness and our right to exist.
II will be said however. that our
mission, thus described, is negative
ara defensive only and that the flu
turc Of a successful party should be
affirmative and constructive. The re
publican party in the past can hardly
be criticised rs a party Of mere mega
ton, and yet its platform in 1850 WAS
negative and defensive In the same
sense. II was resistance TO the slave
power and preservation Of the union.
The life Of the country was threat
ened and the party's mission was 70
save what had been handed down to
us by our fathers. From 1868 to 1876
It's chief mission was to save the coun-
try from dishonorable reputation
threatened By the advocates OF She
issue Of fiat money. In 1896 lis chief
mission was TO prevent the scaling Of
debts ana the destruction OF national
credit threatened by the advocates OF
the free coinage of silver.
The highest function and service OF
the party has been TO save the oountry
from tho dangerous policies ~ the
opposition party. This is not 90 say
that there are not many constructive
tasks to which, when It is again eiven
the responsibility OF power, IL must
and will devote itself what he's cor
SANITY distinguished the party from
it, opponent has been its capacity to
do practical things and to work real
oId safe progress
w. must direct our energies toward
tic amendment Of the present bank
ing and currency act that shall fur
niah an elastic medium automatically
adjusting itself to the needs OF busi-
ness, without giving too arbitrary con-
trol TO the government: wise sys-
TEN for conservation of our national
resources; the reform ~ judicial pro-
cedurC eliminating its delays and re
dncinr its cost: the greater supervl-
sion Of the business Of and issue Of
securities by corporations in interstate
business, and the continued enforce
mont OF the antitrust law; laws pro-
viding worhmen's compensation for
Interstate railroad companies and reg.
ulstlng the relations between them
and their employees, to prevent strikes.
so far rs possible, and TO secure safety
Ia operation for the public and the
employes: the taking Of all local fed
eral offices and all but department
heads and under-seeretaries out OF
politics by putting them in the classl.
fled service; the Improvement OF riv-