The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-01-28

Editor Muscular: desire to call your
attention to the enclosed clipping
and ask your consideration of it by
questions:
Observation-Disclosures President Marsh
all says, II regard H. as unfortunate
that an election must be held to Sc
1ect senators and representatives.
wish the coming elections could in
some way be avoided"
Senator Wadsworth, Republican,
New York, declares, I'VE can not af-
ford to expend any energy whatever
On political battles. We are not won
dering in the least what the congress
elections of 1918 may or may not re-
fleet of the feeling Of the country"
Here is staged the first scene Of the
last act in the evolution of democracy
for export only. When u Progressive
member Of congress predicted last
summer that efforts would be made
to call off the 1918 elections. simple
minded believers in Wilson democracy
regarded the prophecy as n pro-Ger-
man Islander on the government.
Now Wilson's vice president eXplic-
lilly wishes that the coming cleo
tons could in some way be avoided"
Vice President Marshall is Demo-
Crat, and speaks with some authority
for his party. But this is not a mere
party measure to prevent the people
from again thanking the Almighty for
the Democratic party.
Republican Senator Wadsworth
whose term does not expire until 1921
and who has therefore no personal
fear of the peoples verdict. also de-
plores the necessity OF consulting the
voters regarding our war for foreign
democracy.
Tho first act of Democracy at war
was the muzzling OF the fundamentally
democratic newspapers and speakers.
The second was the fusion between
the old parties to avoid disaster at the
polls to the militarIsts
The final act to be attempted seems
to be to abolish the elections and per-
petuatc the dominion of the pro-war
minority over the pacifist majority of
the American people.
Why should Democratic and Rcpub-
very basis of free institutions?
Who breads the potency of a free
mans vote Vice President Marshall,
who wants to shirk a fiEht-~in n po-
litical battle, Senator Wadsworth
New York. who fears a forecast OF
conErsssional elections in 1918? Not
the Socialists.
who secs pro German Islander in
avoiding test on any senator's cleo
ton or collection. A Democratic Of
ficer who wants to blame or thank the
Almighty for any boon or disaster that
is brought upon the people by the
people? The clericals. apparently. who
wants military ascendancy in the
United States made higher than in
dnstrial government? The perpetual
money power while it can last Who
wants loggcrheads in the majority at
the next fcrcndum--doubtful and
dubious politicians. Who muzzled and
censored Socialism to his discontinue?
Madden and Burleson. Who will ac-
topt vote of the people by the people
Tor the people on LincolR's terms
Not an ahtocracy. not n militariSt, not
| II banker not Wall street. What would
| be done by those at the head Of our
government il n peace referendum
| should be called for by n majority of
the citizens? They would very likely
| establish martial law. Free institu-
tons might perish by political fusion.
| Would you council that kind OF Il start
with the sure prospect of civil war?
| Tho clements are here and ready to
make it more interesting than downing
| the kaiser. "GNAT."