New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-01-11
Gathering Committeeman
Say Country Needs
Their Party.
PERKINS AND COLBY
SOUND KEYNOTE
Democrats and Republicans
Condemned for Failure to
Meet Crisis.

Progressive National Committee ar
rived here to-day for the meeting to-
morrow, when the time and place or
the Progressive National Convention
is 10 be determined.
George W. Perkins, ono Of the early
arrivals. outlined the purpose OF the
meeting. THE national committee will
decide on the place and time OF the
convention. There will certainly be
national convention and national
ticket Will be nominated by the Pro-
grcssive party"
The general opinion OF the commit
teemen was that the convention would
be held in Chicago during the week OF
June :. when the Republican National
Convention il in session here.
Colonel Cecil Lyon, Progressive Ma
tional Committeeman from Texas. gave
his oninion on the coming campaign In
these words: ar the Republicans do
not nominate Theodore Roosevelt
Woodrow Wilson will be reelected
President of the United States"
"Our Country" Fires Colby.
Speaking on "Our Country" at the
banquet given BY Mr.. Perkins TO the
national committeeman tonight, Balm
bridge Colby, Of New York, reviewed
the actions and words Of famous Amer
leans in critical times and contrasted
them with the present
From the beginning Of its political
existence our country has been the
champion OF the most advanced ideas
Of natural right and justice" said Mr..
Colby.
"Has the true voice Of our country
yet been heard as to the unwarned
sinking of defenceless merchantmen,
the wanton Staying Of women and chill
dren at sea, the trampling down Of ma
tional life. the interruption Of our le-
Ultimate neutral commerce. the viola
ton of solemn treaties. the substitution
Of frightfulness for faith?
Better than q third or a fourth or a
fifth note from our State Department,
each excelling its predecessor IN
rhetorical finish and dislectical refine
ment. are. it seems 10 me, such rugged
words "a were spoken by Grant at Fort
Donelson: 40 terms except uncondl-
tional and immediate surrender can be
accepted. propose TO move upon your
works Immediately
Better, say. in tone and substance
is the policy reflected in the famous
message sent from the Treasury De-
partment on January %, 1861. signed
by John A. Dix. Secretary OF the Treas
ury Of the United States:
"'If any one attempts to haul down
the American flag, shoot him on the
spot
"lu these days OF storm and stress.
or trial and doubt, it is well to conjure
these figures from our mighty past
Let us lift up our eyes unto them as
to the hills whence cometh our
strength
Party to Live. Says Perkins.
Mr.. Perkins answered what he termed
the persistent charge that our leaders
have abandoned their cause by point
inc 10 the fact that at the meeting to
morrow practically every sta,e Will be
rcDrcscutcd by "a national committee
man from the Progressive party All
uith the determined purpose 10 serve
their country's interests.
"As is always the case IN great moral
struggles" Mr.. Perkins said, "we have
had many discourage but now OIL
the eve Of the meeting of our national
committee am sure ! voice the sentl-
meut of every man present and the
thousands Of loyal men and women
whom he represents when ! say that
We arc glad VIC engaged in the strug
glc; that we have accomplished vast
deal Of good for our country, and, God
willing, will accomplish a vast deal
more
THE Democratic party has utterly
tailed IN vision, in courage, IN patriot
ISM. At its hands we are now enjoy
ing prosperity through accident and
preparing for adversely through neg
lect At it's hands our national honor
is sulied at home and degraded abroad.
THE leaders of the Republican party
are speechless i'm our country's great
crisis. Only few days ago they met
at Washington, just as Congress was
converting for one of the most impor-
tant sessions in the history Of our
country, and the men who claim to
represent the great. old. time -honored
Republican party-the men who claim
TO represent the hundreds of thousands
Of patriotic, forward-looking members
Of that party apparently could not
think Of thing TO say to the counry.
The course we take must be con-
structive. not destructive. And when
We announce the result OF our deiib-
erations. whatever it may be, we must
announce II in no uncertain manner,
and after we have announced il we
must be prepared to bask It up 20 the
very last trench