EQUALITY IN TEE UNITED STATES 549 



concern long in the field, it possesses certain substantial advantages which a new 

 party can only painfully acquire. There is a legitimate place for a party that 

 champions the interests of property within reasonable bounds. The differences 

 between the Eepublican and the Progressive parties on the tariff and the trusts 

 are by no means insuperable. 



On the other hand, it is vulnerable in three respects. It distrusts the people, 

 it has not identified itself closely enough with their interests, and it is on too inti- 

 mate terms with those who participate in politics for private gain, three weaknesses 

 that led to the downfall of the Federalist party. Its future depends on its 

 ability to overcome these weaknesses and on the mis takes of its adversaries. The 

 fact that the Democratic party managed to live down its associations with 

 slavery and its highly questionable record during the Civil War indicates that the 

 future of the Eepublican party is by no means hopeless. Competition normally 

 leads even a conservative party to make a bid for popular favor, and but for the 

 disposition of many of the Eepublican leaders to bank upon the mistakes of their 

 opponents rather than upon setting their own house in order, one might confidently 

 predict a field of future usefulness. The party has often profited by such mis- 

 takes in the past, but it is always poor strategy to rely upon the shortsightedness 

 of one's opponents for success in any game. Sobered by the responsibility of 

 power, the Democratic leaders may not be as obliging in the future as they have 

 often been in the past, or the Socialist and Progressive parties may profit by their 

 mistakes. If the Democracy rises to the occasion, it may be given a long lease of 

 power. The schism in the Eepublican party is a more serious matter than many 

 of its leaders realize. Fundamentally, it is not the work of a lot of ' ' soreheads ' ' 

 or of Mr. Eoosevelt, but the natural consequence of its own conduct. 



