Daily Kennebec journal., 1914-02-14

from its exalted station among the
great political factors of modern
times, and 1t means, moreover, that
no man or class Of men can wreck or
destroy it. If every assumed leader
and every committeeman of the party
from ocean shore to ocean shore
should resign tonight and announce
| that the hour of dissolution was at
| hand. before the sun had set upon an
other day the rank and file would
| seize the banner where it fell and
straightway entrust it to loyal
hands"
Mr.. Borah contended that all who
sought honor and place at the hands
of the last convention of the party in
Chicago would have been glad to
have utilized the party as party
had the results been satisfactory, and
that those who afterward left the
party had expressed no doubt of the
wisdom of its established policies, or
the integrity and purpose and pro-
gressive bent of it's membership, or
as TO the efficiency of the party as an
instrument for progressive legislation
and administration.
THE fact that they were there seek
ing honors at its disposal proved con-
clusively that they were in accord
with its principle, had faith in its
policies, and relied upon it as an in
strumentality of progressive advance
ment," said Mr. Borah. ITO suppose
otherwise would be to charge them
with duplicity and insincerity,
charge which / would be the last to
make"
Mr.. Rorah said he had been one of
those who entertained the opinion,
after the Chicago convention, that
"the majority of the voters were one
way and the organization another"
Sincere men differed, he said, as to
the policy best TO pursue.
There has never been a time when
the machinery of the party was so
completely subject to the direction of
the voters. OF course this will be de-
MED by those who would destroy the
party whether 1t does right or wheth-
erl it does wrong, but it will not be
denied by those who investigate and
sincerely want to see the party re-
organized and re-established, and
made to do the service of the people
in this country as it performed that
service in its best days"
Il do not want a platform or expe-
diency. a platform adopted in Tor
NAL manner even If it reads right,
said Mr.. Borah. Il want to know where
the Republican party in fact stanas
and is going to stand on these great
issues. In moot convention you
could never know. l want To see
downright fight where there IS some
thing more than paper and ink ana
sounding phrases at issue, an aoso-
Lutte contest where the people take
mart so that when the results is re-
corded we will have the real sehu-
ment and the real convictions Oh Tue
party. and knowing them we can
square ourselves for the future.
want either the inspiration of Loai OF
the conclusiveness of Waterloo.
" do not want a platform drawn
h,, hosses or even by anointed lead
ers. weeks in advance OF the coIieeh-
ton. and carried like stuccoeo anu
perfumed Egyptian mummy 10 'he
place of meeting with which 10 con
i,,re the multitude for another season.
bu, a living, breathing platform, Voic-
ing the purposes and hopes oil men |
and women who have rubbed agalns.
the realities of life and the aetual
conditions of today. I made up NY
mind long since that If at any time
have to abandon the name whieh 'iie
sainted Lincoln chose with when 10
coniure the hosts of freedom and pro-
press. if / must finally give ever the
nro,d memories which cluster apoue
those davs it will be after the MAJOR,
ty of the party has so spoken anu
mon questions of policy in eon.es,
that no one will ever misunoers'ahu
and at a time when there can Dc no
mistake as to the issues.
.Tbe next Republican nationai coh-
yeption will be in the hands ana uh-
aar the control of the voters OF the
marty those who believe in the he-
nublican party, who respect It's traui-
t,ons and have helped to make us
history. am not one of those VINO
believe that the Republican party mas
made no mistakes, but l am one oi
those who have no doubt that under
q fu,l and, free expression of the vo-
= a n0WeTIul