The Progressives made a fight and appealed to the ideals of the American people, without money and without organization, while the Republicans had money, organization and appealed to the pocketbooks of the people.
The Progressives did not lose. No one can lose fighting for what is right. I am not surprised at the outcome. The people voted for reactionary policies and for what they believed would mean material gain to themselves. The exposure of corruption here in Washington apparently made no impression upon them.
The Progressives advocate and believe in the rule of the majority, and the majority has spoken in no unmistakable terms. We all wish President Coolidge and General Dawes a successful tenure of office, and it is the duty of the Progressives to help make it such. I shall endeavor to carry out the wishes of the people as expressed at the polls.
Source: "'Not Surprised,' Says Wheeler" New York Times, November 6, 1924, p. 5.
Burton K. Wheeler, Statement on the Results of the Presidential Election Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/node/345998