The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-06-18
PARTY LINES GONE
DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN
NATIONAL cHAiRMEN UNITE
IN AN APPEAL.
FOR MAKING OF new ARMY
Urge All Committeeman to Continue
to Work Together for the Common
Cause Of Democracy and Liberty
Against Despotism.
BY EDWARD q. CLARK.

Washington.-Last fall in the heat
of the political campaign, Vance Nc
Cormick, chairman Of the Democratic
national committee, and William H.
Wilcox, chairman Of the Republican
national committee, engaged in COM
nunicatiOns to the public Of diametri-
cally opposite character. The one was
urging support of the Democratic
ticket on the ground that only the cleo
ton Of Woodrow Wilson "could save
the country" and the other was do
ing the same thing in behalf Of
Charles r. Hughes, whose election he
was quite convinced was the only way
ito save the country"
Today things are different. The ma
ton is at war with a despotic mon
archy seemingly bent on destroying the
liberties of the world. Perhaps for
the first time in political history the
chairmen of the national committees
of two great political parties have
joined in a common document of ap-
peal to the American people to stand
by the cause Of the country and to
help in every way possible to make the
course of the United States in war
smooth, and effective to the end Of
victory.
Newspaper correspondents in the
city of Washington for the first time
in their lives received in the mail a
few days before registration day,
joint communication from the head
quarters of the Republican and of the
Democratic national committees. 1t
was patriotic appeal concerning It.
self largely with registration day, but
1t is known that the chairman Of the
great political committees are to con-
tinue their work together through the
days of the raising and the drilling of
the new army and through all the days
that are to come until the war hap
PLY is ended with victory for their
country.
Almost a Political Epoch.
While registration day has passed,
the appeal which the two chairmen of
the great political parties have made
holds its interest and probably will
continue to hold 1t because 1t marks
an event that almost rises to the dig
nifty of an epoch in political history.
Here is the explanatory statement
accompanying the appeal:
"The chairmen of the Republican
and the Democratic national commit
tees have united in a call to the party
committeeman throughout the country
appealing to them to do everything
that Is feasible and possible to help
in the work of registration day. They
do this because of the fact that such
committeeman are experienced In the
work Of registration and canvassing,
and therefore are in position to be
of practical assistance to the officials
conducting the registration"
Plans have been made to continue,
wherever it is possible, the co-opera-
ton of Democratic and Republican
committeeman throughout the United
States in all proper work to expedite
the campaign which the republic Is
making against autocracy. In the ap-
peal which the committeeman have
made, attention was called to the non
partisan character Of the support in
congress for the law under which the
new national army is to be raised.
Both Parties Cooperate.
These are the words used:
'The congressional enactment under
which this registration is conducted,
was supported by the members Of
both houses of congress affiliated with
both Of the great political parties.
Party lines were not drawn during the
consideration Of the great measure.
Men of both parties supported it and
both parties should now cooperate in
aiding the government in the success
full administration Of it. Men Of both
parties can be Of great service In max
ing the coming registration COM
plete success"
Last winter at one of the great din
ners, given by noted dining club,
Vance Mccormick, chairman Of the
Democratic national committee, and
William r. Wilcox, chairman Of the
Republican national committee, each
in company with higher officials Of his
committee met, and In their behalf
pledge of patriotic cooperation in sup
port Of country seemingly about to
enter into hostilities was made. The
president of the United States was
present and so we're many Of the high
er officials of government. The scene
was an inspiring one.
War came and today the chieftains
of the two great party committees
with their followings are working
hand in hand to further the cause of
democratic principles.
There are several volunteer organi-
cations working in Washington in be.
half of the proper conduct of war.
Many of the members have given up
temporarily all their other business
Connections, have sacrificed salaries,
and in some cases have put their own
concerns in jeopardy In order to labor
for the cause of country for no award
except that Of sense of duty done.
Democrats and Republicans alike are
engaged in this volunteer effort.