The diamond drill., 1917-09-08
NEW PARTY ALIGNMENT.

great war re-align the people OF this
nation in parties Observing ones
think that they discern the approach
OF conditions that spell such change
The Civil War, with the agitation that
preceded II, re-aligned the parties At
that time. The old whig party went
out OF existence with the passage OF
the Clay Compromise Bill and the
subsequent death OF Webster and Clay.
The Republican party took the place
that the Whig party had occupied
that OF supporter of the theory OF loose
construction OF the constitution.
The issues that were made promin-
ent by that struggle have passed or
are rapidly passing into history. The
two great parties had arrived at about
the same position in regard to one
another that existed at the time OF the
EZRA of good feeling" and again fol-
lowing the Mexican war Disintegra-
tion had set in and factional differ
enoes overshadowed what is left Of
party policies.
The contests that came to the ma
tion after the periods mentioned serv-
ed to bring new issues to the front
and to rebuild political thought. The
present moment seems to be prolific
of similar action. New issues are
coming up. issues that a few years
ago were not dreamed of-will they
be ephemeral or will they continue 70
stir up the political thought OF the
nation that's the question
Almost all OF our new issues eman-
ate from the old contention about the
right Of the minority to nullify the
action OF the majority Seyenty-fve
years ago it was the question OF the
right OF the state to nullify to-day II
is the right Of the individual to 40 set
at naught. Coupled with this is the
question Of the right and position OF
the alien in our civil life? Has he the
right to be with us and not Of US; to
exist independent OF our laws and
customs?
Take our conogress today. Neither
party as party adheres to one limo
Of policy Both parties contain men
yes, mea trusted with leadership
who advocate measures contrary to
The decision OF the country as ex-
pressed by the majority. Neither party
to-day can solldfy It's ranks back Of
tile president on any one proposition
concerning the very great question be-
fore us-the war and its prosecution.
Party lines are forgotten to-day ex-
ceptng by very few dyed -iu-tho-
partisans After President Wilson
the democrat party is at sea for men
to lead il and behind Wilson it is
about as dependable as a rope Of sand
The Republican party. shot to pieces
by the internal contention. has
no man excepting Roosevelt that can
even approach leadership In this
chaos, lines are being drawn that
surely will bring great changes 20
party creeds and alignment IL. indeed.
IL doesn't create an entirely new party
built on the paramount issue Of
the present day-the continuance ia
America of real and rational DEM
ocracy
The immense influence Of Labor
today and it's growing importance as "a
supporting hand OF government both
in this country and England is sigul-
hcant Socialism, which has sprung
into such prominence across the wa
ter, will certainly seek greater pow
er and thinking people turn their at
tentiou to the soberer minds Of the
labor world 70 form the anchor OF ra-
tionalism necessary TO hold a middle
course. The autocracy OF wealth as
well as the autooraoy OF rank and
power will certainly have to change
its ways as a result OF this great
struggle that is lmpoverishing the
world. The next decade holds momen-
tous issues 70 be settled and one won
ders what the agencies will be thru
which a settlement will be accom-
plished Will Il be the parties as
they exist at present or will We see
a new deal, one designed for the i'm.
mediate work in hand