New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-15

Gratis. The Democrats won IN 1907 ana III
1856, but not again for a quarter OF cen
tury. and when they came back there was
not left leader Of consequence VINO hao
contributed to the cowardice OF the oos'
The Wings did not win another election;
they simply melted into nothing, and there
was born the Republican party, controlled
and led by men who were willing to face
slavery and tell the truth, to talk honest
words, as did Lincoln and Seward, to look
the truth in the face, not skulk or run.
If the Republican party is now to place
all principle at one side, If it is now TO at
tempt to compromise, to collect all ele-
ments and factions by facing-all-ways
course, 1t is just conceivable that 1t may
win another election, but it is morally GER
tain that 1t will not endure, that it will
presently be driven into outer darkness
and be abandoned by a generation which
is coming on the political field, desires
leadership, is willing to stand for princl-
pies and for true doctrines and feels for
the old Republican party no allegiance
founded on resentment or tradition.
The Republican party cannot endure as
a mere catch-all of opposition TO Mr.. VIII
son or to Democratic candidates. 1t can
not exist merely as a mysterious agent of
prosperity and exponent OF the capacity
to rule" 1t cannot endure or permanently
hold power if it has nothing to offer the
people of the United States but the mis-
takes of Mr.. Wilson and the old phrases
and campaign cries Of 1896. 1t began its
life az the party Of moral indignation and
national purpose, 1t will end 1t, and end 1t
ingloriously, II it chooses now TO be merely
the party Of material welfare and to rest
its claims solely upon the mistakes Of an
opponent who has wholly adopted the
same gospel and is seeking to steal the
"full dinner pail' and the business as
usual" notices of the Republicans, with
some measure Of success.
All over the world change has begun
and will march rapidly forward hence
forth. The Great War is going to make
over the lives and the ideas, the ideals and
the aspirations of men of all nations-and
of our own nation quite as much as of any
other. The world is never going to be
again the world Of 1914. The Bourbons
Of France, of Europe, imagined that when
Napoleon was gone and the Revolution put
i'm a straitiacket at Vienna it would be
possible to go back to all that was before
1888. They tried it, and in France they
lasted fifteen years.
New ideas, new men, new spirit ana
new vision are coming out OF the great
and the great sacrifices OF the
present war SO far we have escaped the
suffering, but we have also escaped the
lessons and the ennobling influence of self
sacrifice and devotion. We have too read
lily listened to the voices that taught us
that prosperity, not principle, counted and
that peace at any price was not an un-
worthy gospel. We have fancied that we
were better than those who were dying for
the same ideas that our fathers and grand
lHIilcIS IOuBnI anu tilcu IOi anu NliAO AMY
has led US far from American ideals.
Such state of mind will not endure
and cannot endure. This country will re-
turn to it's work and undertake its part in
the general moral reconstruction OF the
world. 1t is already becoming impatient
Of those leaders who would have il believe
that comfort, prosperity and material wei
fare are above all other things and beyond
all else to be desired. There is a moral
fernent in this country that cannot be mis-
taken. 1t is new, it derives from the great
European struggle, but it has its relation
to the Progressive rebellion of 1912, which
was also a protest against shams and in
veracities.
In this situation could there be anything
more contemplate, more provocative of
indignation and wrath, than little group
Of selfish politicians, already discredited
by past defeat and public castigation, sit
ting down together solemnly in the ma
sional capital and planning to get back TO
power by avoiding every semblance of
courage or principle. by pandering to the
passions of half dozen mutually autipa-
thetic factions and seeking TO harness to
their own cart every present popular emo
tion without taking fra ground or honest
stard on any issue whatsoever?
The people Of this country are to-day
mighty little interested in any political
party Thcy have little faith, confidence
liking for politicians, and no sentimental
attachment to the machines these poll
t.cians operate under different names but
in the same spirit. They are asking for
leadership; they are demanding that prin.
c;ples and policies shall be proclaimed and
adopted by men who have the honesty &c
champion them and the courage to fight
for them. If the eminent gentlemen who
ere now assembled in Washington are un
able to perceive this fact, then they anC
their party will suffer equally. If they
1900 Lawn - tbav will NOT lparp thnu