South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-20
IN RE ARNISTICE OF PARTIES
AT NEXT CONGRESSIONAL
ELECTIONS.


The approach OF the next general
elections at which all congressman
and many senators must be candi-
dates If they desire reelection 70 Of
fee, is a matter of vital concern 10
every American. These elections will
not occur until NOvem Der of next
year, yet, as you are aware, in the
majority of cases these representa-
tives Of the people are really elected
at the primaries, or by selection in a
party conventions the nominees
OF the political party that happens
TO be strongest in their respective
/ localities.
Many Of these primaries will oc-
cur next spring and there is hard
~ congressman in office today who
is not already preparing for the
coming campaign. 1 mention these
facts simply for the purpose of en-
phasizing the timeliness of the sug-
! gestion contained in this communi-
cation.
Since the last congressional cleo
tons the president of this nation,
/ seeking to uphold the honor of this
country and realizing that the time
had come when the United States
/ Of America must do its share in
making the world safe for democ-
racy. called upon congress to declare
war. first upon Germany and then
later, upon her principal ally, Aus
! tria- Hungary.
With but few exceptions every
member Of congress and the senate
7 \ 4
declaring war upon Germany and
Austria Hungary. Every member of
] congress and many of the senators
who during his supreme crisis in the
nations life. disregarded all party
issues and stood by the president in
his dealings with the nations that
are now our enemies, will, in the
near future, be compelled 10 go be-
fore their constituents and seek
reelection.
In our former wars practically
the only serious concern of the ma
ton was the military situation, but
at the present time, in my opinion,
the defeat of any considerable num-
| Ler Of these men will be seized upon
/ by the autocracies at Berlin and
Vienna and possibly in Russia and
: published as proof that the presi-
dent and congress acted contrary to
the wishes of the people of the Unit
! ed states.
Such allegations spread broadcast
/ throughout these enemy countries,
would afford encouragement and
4 comfort TO their military and civil
, armies and kindle hopes that inter-
nal political troubles in the United
! States might eventually result in
] this nation withdrawing from the
conflict with aims unaccomplished.
/ Such encouragement would only
tend to prolong the war and thus
! increase the toll in human blood
and money that we, the people Of
/ this nation, will have TO pay for
victory for the principles for which
We are fighting.
Agents OF our enemies, even now,
may be preparing TO take advantage
/ of our ever-present national and
! local party issues and with their un-
/ limited supplies of money seek to
/ bring about the defeat of a sub
| stantial number of those members
! Of congress and the senate who
! loyalty stood by the president in his
/ declaration and prosecution of the
war.
These congressman forgot that
/ they were republicans. democrats
! progressives or members of any
other political parties when Pres't
/ Wilson asked them to do their part
in upholding the honor Of the ma
/ ton. Why should not the people for
! get for a time that they themselves
/ are republicans. democrats, pro-
/ gressives, socialists. or prohibition
/ lists. and join next year in re-elect-
! ing these men? Such a united ma
| tional vote of confidence will serve
as notice 10 the nations Of the
| world. our allies as we'll as our
enemies. that the citizens of this
great republic stand as one man
behind the president and our &C
credited representatives at Washing
ton in the prosecution OF the strug-
/ gle 70 a glorious end.
Let the great national parties sub
merge for time all those issues
which have been paramount in the
| past and which undoubtedly will
be Of similar potency IN the future.
Let an armistice be declared so that
no advantage or comfort will be
! given to the enemies of this nation.
Let every one of these loyal repre-
! sentatives of the people be support
ed for the nomination for office on
all party tickets and let US one and
all discourage any opposition 10
them no matter from what source.
As far as war is concerned we have
no political parties. The great battle
cry of all loyal citizens is stand by
the president"
Everyone can be a patriot and
help i'm crystallizing this sentiment
for unity Of parties that is making
itself evident here and there
throughout the nation. II thought
ful consideration leads TO the belief
that such a course is patriotic and
wise, everyone should use all the
influence at their command in secur-
ing the adoption OF such a policy
by the national and state committee
OF the various political parties? II
Is by no means as unsurmountabIe
a problem as some Of the war prob
lens We have in a measure already