South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-03-17
TASK FOR THE WILSON CLUE.

lASh TUX I'LL. " lLSON CLUB.
Democrats should not overlook the
meeting OF the Wilson club at Ameri-
can hall. Thursday night. Dale Crit
tenberger auditor OF state is down
for an address. along with other
speakers. Some echoes from the re-
cent state assembly will also. doubt
less. be in evidence. The purpose is
TO get the party together locally re-
Nive action. and prepare for future
emergencies.
The Indiana democracy has a great
g opportunity for entarging its member
ship just now. It's fate in that partic-
ular is In IT'S own hands South Bend
and St Joseph county will need TO
contribute their snare 10 the under
taking If there is TO be any success.
NWe refer 10 what Pres't Wilson had to
say in his indianapolis address with
regard to the party throwing itself
open for reception OF the great indie
pendent vote of the country: a vote
which. sure as the world, will control
II the elections of the future for the
party that holds the largest measure
OF public confidence and offers the
most that is in Keeping with indie
pendent ideals
That democrat is blind who cannot
recognize the vote TO which the presi-
dent referred. The recent legislature
recognized it. and despite the opposi-'
ion Of a certain reactionary element,
he democratic majority went ahead
and did much. which, when under
stood. will commend the party TO In
3 diana voters quite as the president
would have it commended. The dem
ocratic party has nothing to be
ashamed of in the line Of progressive
legislation enacted since the state was
wrested from the republicans II has
Z certainly outdone the republicans by
several spans, for any equal period.
rhe party need not expect TO satisfy
she republicans but it should be able
to convince its own members of its
good work, and the open-minded, in
dependent voter, is always good
listener
Neither are the independent voters
ordinarily reactionary Having left
one party for another more suited 10
their Independent progressive thought.
they are not likely TO go back, despite
he vanishing of their new party home,
unless 10 return should promise a
more acceptable place for them. They
I are likely 10 vote where the PROBABLE
tiles are strongest, OF their ideals be-
ing realized. They are progressive
thinkers first and such "A thing as a re-
dictionary progressive is difficult To
imagine.
The main point of which is that the
ST. Joseph County Wilson club should
not be permitted TO become anything
but a Wilson club.-Wilson demo-
cratic. of course,-this in reality as
we'll as in name. The organization
ear be made of great lasting value TO
the party If u proceeds as a move
ment 20 uphold the president. To pop
ularize his ideals. and advance the
cause Of democracy along lines for
which he has set the pace. the party
q will need have but little fear Of the
independent vote, but if il merely pro-
eeds 10 lumber the presidents coat
tails with its presence. and figures on
=! mis- being able 10 carry the party 10
renewed victory in spite OF itself. that
IS a different matter The Indiana
democracy was never in better shape
han IL is today. with the splendid ad-
nance of the past two administrations
rCsh in the public memory. Ii needs.
however. not 20 become weary in we'll
doing. and not 10 grow disheartened
from hearing and re-hearing the nu-
nerous walls of the opposition. II IT
will move ahead. and not get scared,
continuing its progressive course, the
srepubiican party will be just as far
0from victory i'm Indiana in 1916 as il
WAS in 1914. despite its hambuOyant
assurances 20 the contrary.