Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-15
Where Are the Leaders,?

The lack of leadership in congress is one of
the most omnous signs of the times
Where are the statesmen, for whom the repub-
lie has never before lacked when they were
needed Where are the men of courage and
ability, who in every other national crisis have
been Our sure reliance in the national parliament?
Instead of Patrick Henrys, we have ilibuster-
ing La Follettes. Instead Of Daniel Websters.
we have gunl-shoed Bill Stones. Instead of
Charles Summers, we have Gronnas misrepresent-
ing their constituents. Instead Of Henry Clays
we have Nose Clapps and Works
What would Patrick Henry, for example, have
said and done in the present emergency? Can
have set congress afame for patriotic defense OF
our rights?
And there were giants in the congresses of
recent history--Blaine and Reed Conkling and
Garfield, Edmunds and Allison, Randall and Car
Isle, Bayard and Thurman, Sherman and Win
dom. Ramsey and Davis, Chandler and Teller,
and many another.
What has led to the degeneracy Of the con-
crosses of today? What has turned to water the
blood that once ran in the veins of our public
men' What has palsied their arms and atrophied
their minds'
Is 1t the insidious influence of the direct pri-
mary, which keeps them kneeling with their ears
close to the ground, to catch the first far-off
vibrations of popular feelingi
Iertain 1t Is that congress is now deathly
afraid OF the cars" 1t dares take no important
action, till the country has been heard from. 1t
evades the responsibilities confded to it as
representative body of picked men.
Members OF congress used to do things be-
cause they thought those things right or desir-
able for the country Now they are chiefly con-
cerned as to whether what they do will be popu-
lar. They have no courage of their convictions
ii, indeed. they have any convictions.
=, This paralysis OF the will, this suspension of
the Judgment, extends to other men entrusted
with high official responsibility The president
himself though he has at last set his feet in the
path. OF honor and right, is over-cautious. He
thrilled the nation when he sent Bernstorff home
He had the country behind him when after much
waiting and delaying, he announced the policy
OF armed neutrality. But the public is becoming
restive while he backs and fills over the question
Of armng merchantmen-one day concluding
he has the power to do so, and the next whelmed
with doubts as to his authority.
So confirmed has become the habit of congress
to wonder, before it takes any stand what the
people will say, that favorite method of effect
ing its action nowadays is to start lombard
ment of postcards, letters and kilograms. Thus
a false public opinion Is often stimulated. Those
directly interested are easily prodded into help
ing such a campaign along. But the great silent
majority expect congress to legislate on its
own motion and on its own judgment. Seldom
does the real public become vocal unless goaded
into hot indignation as it was by the reasonable
hlibuster of the 'wilful twelve" Then there is
an outburst that sends the senate scurryng for
cover behind new cloture rule.
What America needs now most of all is real,
constructive, courageous leadership-in the presi-
dency, in the cabinet, in congress-.