New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-29
SAVING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
Mr. Henry A. Wise Party of Vision and
Service Teaching Us to Make Our Alhusm Practicable
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor Of The 1Hbune.
Sir: On November IS, year ago, went
before the Union League Club and suggested
that immediate steps be taken to reconcile
the Republican and Progressive parties. !
said that unless this we're done promptly, and
Colonel Roosevelt made the candidate OF both,
the Republican party would 20 down to defeat
i'm the ensuing election. Shortly thereafter
the movement took root, and as convention
time approached complete reconciliation Of
the two parties seemed possible, with Colonel
Roosevelt as their joint candidate.
When, however, the convention was about
to meet at Chicago it appeared that the Re
publicans wished support, not cooperation;
that they were determined to nominate can
didate of their own, regardless of the wishes
Of the rank and file Of either party or OF the
political or national requirements Of the sit
uation.
/ thereupon wired the chairman OF the ke-
publican National Committee in advocacy OF
union and tho joint selection OF Colonei
Roosevelt saying, among other things:
81 am certain that at this critical hour the
American people will refuse to swap leaders
unless the leader offered them has already
proved himself in action more fit than the
present one to deal with grave issues OF the
kind which now confront us. This is no time
for experiment The Republican party must
offer the best it has, or it assuredly will go
down in defeat. No substitute for the best,
however his selection may seem to satisfy
internal party requirements, can possibly in
duce the country to follow that substitute
in these hazardous times. The nation to-day
is thinking of men, not OF parties
When it became evident that Mr.. Hughes
would be selected, in disregard OF the great
need for united effort upon the part OF ali
non Democratic elements, and | had become
convinced that failure of the campaign would
result il his nomination should occur, | ap-
pealed to Mr. Hughes to save the situation,
saying:
"On February 10 last, in reply to letter
of mine dealing with the subject OF prepared
ness, you said that neither actively nor tao
lily were you a candidate for Office. Having
accepted this at the time as your firm refusal
to enter the Presidential contest. and belieY-
ing still that your decision then expressed is
unaterable feel at liberty now 10 address
you publicly, as one American to another,
WIN the utmost lIdHhutSo upOh o. hoSNNA ~
the gravest national Importance.
During the coming week at Chicago there
will be chosen a leader upon whom may fall
the enormous responsibilities of having to
safeguard this nation through the dangerous
times ahead and Of preserving It's posses
sions and it's rights. Upon the wisdom, the
strength, the experience and the courage of
this leader may turn--for better or worse
the whole future of our history, possibility
which makes of his selection matter of the
gravest historic concern. That to none but
the very ablest, the most practised and COM
petent, the biggest man that we have, ma
tionally and internationally speaking, should
be given this trust, is so true as to be be-
yond dispute. 1t is equally true that it is the
patriotic duty of every person, regardless of
all other considerations, to see so far as in
him lies that for this trust no lesser man
is chosen.
at is because Of the foregoing, and Of my
firm belief in your high patriotism and un-
selfish devotion to your ideals, as we'll as my
knowledge of the influence which you WELD,
that appeal to you now in this hour of our
national jeopardy to render our country a
great service, by directing your following to
the support Of Theodore Roosevelt, who
alone among all citizens embodes the quail
ties needed to reestablish our strength and
our position of honor and security among
nations"
However, notwithstanding all the clear signs
of danger which were evident, the nomination
was rendered Mr.. Hughes-who accepted it,
ran, and has now been defeated.
The foregoing has been recited with but a
single purpose: TO make clear the lesson
which the American People has again read
the Republican party, and to point out the
only path which can restore that party TO ma
tional usefulness and power, fallen as it is
into the hands of men who have neither the
vision, the courage nor the CUTS to plan
and do the big work of the nation. 1t Is be-
grea. constructive plans of domestic and
foreign purport to offer the people, and had
thrust aside the man of the hour, that the
people were not willing to trust and follow
them.
The American People demands service Of
it's political parties. Service Of one kind from
the party In power, and service Of another
kind from the party out Of power Hitherto
the party out Of power has sat pat, being
content to trust to the errors of the other>to
be returned. Errors enough, and sufficiently
grave ones, the Administration has in its rec
ord but the baldest exhibition of these has
failed to dislodge it. Something else was
lacking and needed. What was it? A better
programme.
The Republican party had lain fallow; 1t