Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-16
ESTABLISHED 1925
Tuesday, November IS, 1915.
Il Depends on You, Prosressives.


The Lewiston Journal. official organ
Of the Progressive party, gives promi-
nence to the announcement b. hon.
George W. Heselton Of Gardiner, and
a!s. ~ it's editor, Frank L. Dingley OF
Aab.rn, nov on a trip to the Pacific
cast, that the Progressive party in
Maine is dead Mr.. Heselton de-
dared. he is reported, that the party
doel not simply face death as
pol. .ical organization. but is practi-
cai!y dead" From Los Angeles F. L.
Dingley is quoted as saying that the
Progressive party as such. is out OF
commission"
Mr. Heselion says that 70 per cent
81 The Progressives will go to the Re
publican party and 80 per cent TO the
Democratic. lie believes that every
voter should take part in the prim-
a. "a next June and help 10 select the
otz- candidates. He acknowledges
hat he was for time in favor OF the
progressives refusing TO participate in
tie primaries, but he has changed his
mind.
A wise man changes his mind. we
congratulate Mr.. Hese!ton upon his
wisdom, and we honor him for being
big enough to frankly ADVISE those
vno look to his leadership and re-
@pect his political sagacity. 1t Is
ohviouslv. the only sane sensible and
morally safe course for Progressives to
take-to step in with the most pro-
sressive element Of the Republican
party and with them take possession
II the Grand Old Party. This is the
PSYCHOLOGICAL moment for them TO
mould tbs, action Of the Republican
party. Now they can name its candi-
dates and write its platforms, for
every man. Of any party, who reads
between the lines, knows that a strong
element of the Republican party tnen
who could not bring themselves 10
turn away from the party with all its
history and tradition and all it had
meant to them) are more progressive
today than the Progressives them
selves For many months these men
have foreseen the inevita bic and have
impatiently awaited this hour when
they could again lock arms with their
be nf ~
old Republican party all that the most
hopeful and sincere Progressives had
hoped for their own-even more, for
the name in itself. carrying the most
remarkable history Of any party in
any land, is name that will never
die and must go on as the shaper Of
American destin;es.
So far from the suggestion of any
plan Of prescription or punishment
against former Progressives. as hint
ed by Mr. Heselton, the absolute con-
trary is manifest. With the aid OF
these former Progressives the most
progressive men Of the Republican
party realize that they can control
every action Of the party from this
hour. They welcome these former
Progressivss with open arms.
Just how unwise and petty would
be refusal Of these Progressives to
participate in the primaries, we need
not attempt to set forth. Suffice it to
say that ii would seem like childish
pouting like biting off ones own nose
TO ospite ones face. We know whereof
we speak when we say that the rank
and file of the Progressive party are
made up Of men of too broad mind to
indulge in any such folly. even had
they been so advised by some of their
leaders However, we are glad that
such men as Mr.. Heselton are wisely
counseling the right and sensible
course. 1t clears the political atmos-
straint felt by Republicans who
wished to urge Progressive brothers
TO act with them for effective control
of the party to which the people look
for constructive legislation and most
intelligent Interpretation of the public
desires and needs. There will be no
reprisaIs or Il told you sos from the
real brain and heart of the Republican
party. Let scoffers and sore heads
rant, leave bitterness out. Let the
men who have the interests Of the ma
ton at heart stand together and make
the most and best Of the present OPP
portunity, for the time has come when
we can reap the benefits of the revo-
rufinp NJ 1919