Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-04-10

should be consolidated, the Republican
State Committee in entire good faith,
with a high conception of their duty,
propose to the Progressive leaders a
conference with a view to harmonic
ing differences and getting together
under one banner. To the man on
the street this looks like the sensible
thing to do. 1t is what is usually done
when people disagree. Nobody knows
whether even combatants can agree
till they try. Through the influence
of President Roosevelt even Russia
and Japan got together at Portsmouth
when it looked impossible. Our
proposition for even conference was
hastily and scornfully rejected. One
is at loss to know why, especially
when the difference between us was so
slight. Since then by their ques-
tionable position on prohibition and
constitutional amendment they have
widened the breach. l will not say
they have done it purposely, but their
leaders are too astute not to know
that we can't follow in those paths
if they mean what they appear to.
Whatever purpose may animate the
leaders in keeping up their separate
ing to get together. the fact remains
that the voters will accomplish what
the leaders refuse. The people, who
haven't office holding in mind, will get
down to fundamentals and accomplish
their purpose with the best instrument
at hand. What is a party anyhow?
Is it the few men who for the moment
are in office and in position of leader
IL. - g -,,Hlr
and file Of voters who think alike on
fundamental questions? A party
could lose very office holder and lead
err and remain a party just the same.
Without the rank and file there is no
party. Here is where lies the safety
of the Commonwealth We are mere
ly the representatives of a great party.
We are delegated to formulate the
principles which it holds. In doing
so we express the wishes of our con-
stituents. No party could remain sta
tionary if it wanted it. The constant
change in membership and conditions
prevent. A short time ago an eminent
statesman--a member of our party
put this question to the census au-
thorities. What percentage of the
men who voted for president in 1912
voted in 1896? They called in life
insurance and other experts and after
a months investigation, answered 81
per cent The new blood in a party
will take care of any tendency to
stagnation. Viewing the Republican
party from any standpoint--its his
tory, its membership or its declared
principles--it is now the steadily ad-
vancing, red blooded. fighting party of
sound liberal principles. The rank
and file of the Progressive party are
just the same, and therefore will be
with us In fact, they are of us. 1t
makes no difference whether man is
a Roosevelt Republican or Taft Re-
publican. he is a Republican just the
same II our liberal Republicanism
appeals to him-as it must-he will
stay with us. Eliminate the more
than double position on the constitu-
ton and liquor questions taken by
the ProgressiVes from their platform
and there is no fundamental difference
between us. 1t is a question of which
group to join if opposing the Demo-
Gratis. That Roosevelt Republicans
are not necessarily anti Republicans
now, and that the voters are turning
to present day Republicanism as the
best exponent of their views is shown
by the following comparative figures
in important elections held in 1913 and
1914 in which there have been three
candidates.