Gilpin observer., 1915-08-26
WITHOUT AN ISSUE

In all the controversy among the
Progressive leaders as to whether tie
third-term party should hold together
or disband, none of them presents an
issue that could by any possibility
keep a political organization alive.
William Allen White does not hes
itate to admit that to-day the Ameri-
can people are not interested in any
plan for social justice" which means
that they are not interested in the
Progressive platform and the Roose-
welt platitudes. In respect to live
no worse off than the Republicans,
but both are as badly Off as am OPP
position could well be the year before
presidential campaign.
In spite of Penrose and Perkins,
no successful campaign can be waged
on the tariff. That question can be
revived only by a change in econo-
mic conditions. TIE country has been
taught to measure tariffs not by prin-
ciples but by prosperity. So long as
there is prosperity the standpat Re-
publicans and their Progressive al
lies can talk higher tariff until they
are all black in the face without
stirring the emotions of single vot-
er.
AS for trusts, they too are out
of the way as partisan issue. Big
Business for the most part has as
cepted the popular Interpretation of
the Sherman law and is conforming
to the statute. The crusading days as
well as the exploiting days are past,
and the enforcement of the Anti
Trust Law is now part of the routine
Of the department of justice.
The currency and banking question
has been disposed of by an act that
has not only withstood the test of a
world war but has placed the United
States in a position of unparalleled
financial strength. 1t has proved it.
self not only the most important but
the most effective piece of financial
legislation put on the statute books
in fifty years.
Where, then, is an issue to be
found? In Mexico? Mexico is a sore
spot, but it may be healed before the
next presidential campaign. Whether
healed or not, it is not big enough
for a national election when the in
terest and the imagination of the
American people are absorbed by the
nf b1rn, hictn
Mexico is so completely overshad-
owed by Europe that no political par
ty would make rapid progress by
Transforming the situation to the
south of the Rio Grande into a par
tisan matter. AS for the presidents
neutrality policy; it has displeased no,
body except the proGermans, Theo-
dore Roosevelt and certain profess
sional friends of Great Britain and
France. The great mass of the
American people rig tly regard 1t as
one of the crowning achievements of
American craftsmanship.
What remains? Preparedness for
national defense? That might be a
very serious issue if the Wilson Ad-
ministration neglected its plain and
patriotic duty during the coming ses-
sion of congress. but all the evidence
at hand goes to show that both the
president and his advisers are prepar
ing to deal with this question in the
sane but vigorous manner which the
country has a right TO expect There
is a broad middle ground between un-
preparedness and militarism, and 1t
Is inconceivable that this middle
ground will net be occupied and held
by the president.
At present the opposition to Mr..
Wilson is sadly destitute of issues.
the poverty of the Republicans being
no less wretched thf N the poverty of
the Progressives. That is why there
is no discussion of principles at tie
Bull Moose inquest. a hearty and hu-
man desire to obtain the offices that
other people are holding may be
strong enough to sustain a party or
ganization. 1t may be strong enough
to tempt third-party leaders who can
see no hope for themselves in going
II alone. But national campaign
requires something more for It's sue.
cess than an appetite for power and
mi trT m, ,Da