New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-05-11
A PLEA FOR UNION
Republicans and Progressives Should Join
Hands to Rescue the Nation.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: As the time for holding the Repub.
licsn convention approaches the more in
porant appears the responsibility that will
rest upon the delegates selected 70 attend H.
Four year, ago, out Of incidents that never
should have arisen, was born new psrty
conceived in passion, representing no sea-
soned agitation, and resting upon no grea,
exigency.
Upon what may be designated as the basic
features Of organized democracy, no funds.
mental differences existed between the Re-
publican party and this new born attribute,
and it can be said in all truth that collect
lively they had the numerical backing Of the
citizenship of the country on every important
and vital question that concerned either the
domestic or foreign policies Of this republi.
The consequences Of this lamentabe po-
liticsl blunder have caused the United States,
under the whitening dominion Of party
whipped into a not altogether pleased &C.
quiesence by its recognized head, TO sink
sef-respect and forfeit the esteem formerly
entertained By alien government including
our unfortunate tropical neighbor across the
Rio Grande.
Designedly that wing Of the Republics
party for the last four years known as Pro.
gressive has called its convention 20 be held
at time contemporaneous with the Repub-
lican convention.
There should be held but one nominating
convention in Chicago. for the very cogert
reason that the Republican party and th,
so-called Progressive party have but one real
adversary, the Democratic party, whose a..
tempts to justify the expectations Of It's I'D
herents and the hopes OF its opponents in
dealing with the many perplexing problems
that have confronted the Administration
have degenerated into a painful exhibition Of
incompetency and weakness.
The restoration of the domestic affairs o.
the country 20 condition OF economic sta
blity, and the placing OF our foreign rels-
tons upon a basis Of at least passing re-
spect not only call for but demand the
effort OF every citizen vino places the dignity
and welfare OF his country above party e1-
pediency.
In mechanics there is device attached to
steam engines called a governor, the object
of which is TO prevent the engine from racing
The Progressive party Esy have performed
service in becoming the governor to the Re
publican party. II so, its service 20 the
country as a separate and distinct entity j.
over, and reliance should again be placed IN
the Republican party, as, since the birth OF
parties, every administration has written It's
own history in legislation best calculated 70
promote good government
Moreover, the public are not interested 10
past differences or present discussions pro-
ceedng from the factional strife OF family
quarrel and il is Of no consequence TO the
great army OF supporters Of Republican pr.n-
ciples whether those differences are reauy
deep seated or represent merely the ser-
monious vaporngs OF party leaders. The prob
lem now is whether this republic shall O.
represented 0y real American or b. maj
who has publicly stated that his judgments
are assisted by the comments OF an alea
press. and who in the last eighteen months
has boxed the compass" on every impor,an'
question that has forced his opinion.
Many sections OF the country coincide VIA
the recently expressed editorial view OF inc
New York Tribune, that Theodore RooseveN
10 thdt man, even WINE CohieSs"s '"S'
more natural choice would lie elsewhere
high order OF patriotic purpose.
In balancing the claims and availability OF
candidates, delegates should see TO II that the
choice falls upon, first, thoroughoreo
American; second. a man Of Presidential CO.
pacity third. OF magnetic and forceful per.
sonality; and finally. candidate able TO lesa
the fight against Democratic incompeteney'
in massed formation TO victory, for the i'm
pending conflict will not be trench wsrfars.
FRED ID. STANLEY.
Alamosa. Col. May ,. 1916.