The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-08-23
BEING A FREE
PEOPLE

One of the things this war is being
fought for at least 80 far as the
United States is concerned, is to ex-
tend free government, to enlarge the
worlds map of free thought and free
action. That means additional popu-
lar governments. Our leaders in
Washington on various occasions
have stated that to be the object
OF Americas entrance into and prose-
cution Of the war, altho in different
terms.
We cannot have popular govern
ment without freedom of action at
the polls, the only place free people
have of selecting their administra-
tors. If presidents and congresses
were chosen for us, or If our state
officers were selected from without
In other words, If there were dicta-
ton to the people instead of action
by the people-we would no longer
enjoy q popular form of government.
In the selection there are avenues
opened thru political parties, repre-
senting on political matters opposite
views on certain policies. Thru these
parties the people select, first in the
primaries and then in the general
election, their servants. The division
Is necessary in such a form Of gov
eminent as ours. A one-idea, a one
thought, central controlling force
would be tantamount to autocracy.
The fact that there are changes in
administrations reflects the freedom
OF the people Of this country and the
untramelled exercise of their, right.
On many things the people unite
as In carrying on this war and in
standing squarely behind the federal
authorities on all matters affecting |
the war and consideration of which |
is measured by American patriotism |
but on this one thing of politics
they divide, not bitterly, not. dis
ruptingly, but in a manner that con-
stitutes a safety valve. on the engine
of republic.
Any attempt, therefore, to mingle
partisanship and patriotism, to at
tempt to aTogate to one party a
maximum of patriotism and to set
the opposite party in separate class,
merely because it is for the time.
being the minority party, would be
resented by all thinking men and /,
women and no American leader
would for moment encourage such )
> proposal.
In this war none can tell as the
boys march down the street or as !,
hey charge the enemy who is :.
Republican and who is a Democrat y
There is no division there. There -
8 only one objective. They stand q
to shoulder to attain it.
Az hnYnn oh
'osition to divide the war along po- n
ltical lines. Our boys, like those :,
eft behind, are united for freedom, =,
or civilization-united against y,
rute force, against barbarous ~
oyalty. On the war we all stand -.
8 one, but in our choice for the ~
arious Offices, we exercise not only ~ =,
he privilege but the wisdom of ",
.merican citizens in denoting a az az
ealthful division as rejecting in w
ividual and party views. Any other '"
purse would constitute an entering
edge to rend asunder popular gov %
-nment. w
There is no difference in the
yalty of Republican or Democratic
here is no measure of support one ha
ill give his government and those do
andling the war that the other will TO
1t give. There Is no Republican Ia,
fusing to go to war because we an
I've a Democratic administration. an
lere is no Democrat going to war Of
erely because we have a Demo- In
attic administration. They have he,
ne and are going because America tn,
at war and because they are red
oOded Americans! ha,
That is the spirit all over the land. at
erefore, no party, no faction, no MIA
IN would dare attempt to capitalize der
y war for partison purposes. Such bv
course would disgust every think mi
, voter and cause sharp reaction Ha,
d rebuke. tho
Tree people Will not toierate tnat see
= VI lhlns. lney kho" their see
Nv at home and abroad