Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-12-08
Mr.. Browns Objections.

Elsewhere in this issue or the Demo-
crat is a letter from our good friend II.
G.. Brown of West Paris, who expresses
the sentiment that he is still proud TO be
a Progressive. Knowing him as We do,
we know that if he believed the Progress
sive party was right, he would be Pro-
gressive il there wasn't another one in
the country. 1t is that steadfast devo-
ton to what he believes is right that has
made Mr.. Brown universally respected
in the community, alike by those who
agree and those who disagree with him.
MIR. Brown calls the Democrat to &C
count for saying what it did regarding
Progressive prospects, and says we gloat
ed over the seeming wane of the Pro-
was not at all in the nature of gloating,
or even argument. IL was cold state
ment OF fact as to the probability, de-
duced from the election returns of the
past two years, that the Progressive
party will not again figure as consider
able factor in a general election. This
conclusion is unacceptable by the unprej-
udiced observer, whatever his political
views may be.
Mr.. Brown calls attention to the
"msny wailiugs of the Republican speak
ers and papers for the Progressives to
come back" None of those "wailings"
can be laid to the front column of the
Democrat Our stand in that matter has
been some like that of Gsmsliel Of old,
namely: If there was really necessity
and demand for new party to serve as
the instrument of progress, IL would be
e 49, sak h,,N hA
ment was without necessity, it would
come to nsught; therefore the question
might as well be fairly tried out. The
trial has progressed far enough to show
that the country at large sees no neces-
sity for another party, but depends upon
the Republican party 70 carry out the
principles which are the essentials OF its
policy.
But now Mr.. Brown puts up a bard
proposition. He goes back two genera
tions in the history of the Democrat, and
he finds that there were giants in those
DAYS. He asks us TO write an editorial
combining the graceful phrasing of that
old school gentleman, George F. Emery,
the direct and powerful moral appeal OF
DR.. Brown, aud the treucbsnt and some
times vitriolic style of Gen. Perry. We
shall not attempt IL. He asks Us to ex-
plain how these progressive principles
are to be established by the election OF
certain men whose names have become
familiar in our political life. We shall
not go into that. We believe in trusting
the people. The fact that certain men,
who have been made the special targets
of the most violent abuse bestowed upon
anybody in public life in this twentieth
century, have been continued in their
positions of service by the votes of the
people, need not alarm any real believer
In republican institutions. Only in one
newspaper sanctum near the banks OF
the Androscoggin did 1t cause gloom
dense and impenetrsble, pierced not by
a single ray Of hope for the future Of our
country.
II the Republican party, through its
representatives in public places, fails to
stand for policies that are truly progress
sive, il will doubtless meet the fate il
will deserve at the hands of the people.
At present the vote of the people indi-
Gates that it still holds its place as one
Of the two great parties Of the country
We do nevertheless believe that the
Progressives have done a real service,
and we can not express that thought bet
ter than In the words Of the following
paragraph from recent editorial In the
Portland Press:
1.-THE Progressive ideas, or many OF
them, make strong appeal TO thousands
of intelligent and sincere men. These
ideas must be recognized by the party
which wonld incorporate these former
Progressive voters 10 its ranks. The
more radical ideas will be modified oil
discarded altogether, but many remain
which must be given recognition. Ths
men who support them and who believe
in them will never affiliate themselves
with any party which does not show q
disposition to accept some of them with
sincerity. The Progressive party may
have passed into history, but it has
quickened the political conscience anG
has, in its way, performed notable ser
vice to the country"