Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1914-02-11

Harry Holmes, long a leader of Re-
publicans In Writ county, and well
known editor, who had been desig-
mated as member for Writ of the
progressive state executive commit
tee, and who was a Progressive lead
er In the campaign of 1912, recent
ly received letter from Joseph Hand
Ian. OF Wheeling, advising him of the
Forthcoming Progressive conference in
Parkersburg, and asking him to attend
and to give report of the condition
OF the Progressive party in Writ
Mr.. Handlan, who is state chairman
OF the Progressives, assumed that Mr.
Holmes and other members of the
committee, who had been Republicans,
and who had supported Col. Roosevelt
In 1912 through the Progressive or
ganization, had abandoned the Repub-
hcan party permanently.
A Ringing Answer.
Mr.. Holmes has given to the Dis
patch-News an answer to Mr.. Handlan,
In an open letter, which he declares
states his own position, and the posi-
ton of ninety per cent of the Progress
sives in Writ county, who he says had
never any thought of permanently
quitting the Republican party. Mr.
Holmes letter is a ringing answer 1t
is a virile political document and
profound discussion of the recent rup-
ture. He declares that the purpose of
the Progressive movement had been
served and he advises all of his asso-
ciates to unite under a common stand
ard and to support those principles
which have made the party and the
country great. His letter in full fol
lows:
January 81, 1914.
Hon. Joseph Handlan,
Chairman State Progressive Com,
Wheeling, w. Va.
Dear Sir:
/ beg TO acknowledge the receipt OF
your communication of the 10th
inst, advising me of the meeting of
the executive committee of the Pro-
gressive party, to be held in Parkers-
burg during the last week Of the pres
ent month, in which communication
you request me TO furnish you with
report of conditions generally in my
county, and particularly as to what
has been done toward local organiza-
ton, and to give my views as to can
didates for congress from this con-
gressional district, ETC.
In reply permit me to say that / es-
TEEN and appreciate your frank, open
letter. and will endeavor to be equally
frank and open in my answer.
In the first place, 1 conceive it my
duty TO tender my resignation as
member of the executive committee OF
the Progressive party from Writ coun-
ty, and ask that the same be accepted
| feel compelled to take this course
because ] am not in sympathy with
the Progressive party movement as a
separate and permanent party organi-
cation and never have been; nor do
| believe that any considerable num-
Der OF the voters in this county who
took part in the movement and sup
ported Col Roosevelt in the last cam
paign are in sympathy with such
course. For my part, / am a Republic
an In principle and always have been.
From knowledge and intimate ac-
quaintance with the followers and
supporters of Col. Roosevelt, in this
country, it is safe TO say that at least
ninety per cent Of them feel Just as I
do about IL. When they voted for Col.
Roosevelt, they did it, not because
they had left the Republican party.
nor because they had permanently
cast their lot with another party but
they did IL to rebuke the methods en-
ployed in the Chicago convention to
dominate Mr.. Taft. IL was only a
means to an end for the accomplish
ment Of purpose. That purpose has
been accomplished, the chastisement
has been administered and now they
are content TO return to the Republic
an party, the party OF real material
progress, with so many glorious
achievements to its credit during the
last fifty years. The voters who make
up the so-called Progressive party as
well as those who followed the for.
tunes Of Col. Roosevelt in the last cleo.
ton, are now. and we're then, Repub-
licans in principle and believe in the
fundamental doctrine Of the Republic
an party as firmly as they ever did
They have not changed their political
faith nor their political creed. To do
so would be 20 admit that they have
always been wrong II would not only
be such an admission on the part of
the masses VINO supported Col. Roose-
welt, and those who still cling to the
idea that they should keep the ofgani-
zation Of the Progressive party, but it
seems to me that IL would be an ad.
mission that Col Roosevelt and the
other leaders Of this organization have
not only been wrong heretofore in
their advocacy Of Republican princi
pies, but have acted in bad faith by
so doing
In 1904, Col. Roosevelt accepted the
$500 L.. g. rrnnlInrA - Ahn hnr..I-