Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-09
ny ALFRED Ii. WILLIAMS.

All loyal American citizens arc eager
10 stand by the President" as directed
by the popular slogan. In Washiugt IN
strong. straight and influential men
are considering how to stand by him
TO secure the best results for the
country.
Those who look beneath the surface
see plainly increasing rcstlcssncss in
Congress. Nobody doubts tho perfect
loyalty TO the common cause Of the
overwhelming majority OF Senate ana
House. OF both parties. Nobody doubts
the sincerity OF the desire OF those ma.
loritics, to cooperate with tho I'resi-
dent. Growing minorities insist that
prefer OF Jealous corporation mus.
not be taken to mean submission to
dictatiOn. They demand that Congress
shall be consulted, not directed. that II
be inspired To action. by confidence IN
sea" OF being confronted with inn
penctraolc rcticencc and chilled with
silence. This Is Il present condition
and II real fact. Facts have the habit.
sometimes unpleasant. OF demandine
recognition and conditions must bL
taken as guides for action.
The White House is crowded with
coHundrums lacking attendant an
swcrs. Both houses of Congress are
peopled with living and anxious in.
tcrrogntion points, met daily with re-
nation which does noe inform. The
pending question Is whether tho Prcsi-
d"nt can be helped most effectively
by clear, uninstakabie warning Of dan
ger or revolt or by leaving him to 20
on III the path he has chosen Per
maps Congress, as whole, deserves liz.
dorisive and cynically contcinp,uous
opinion expressed so freely and fro
qucntly by many ncwspupcrs ",
may believe II TO he an usscmblag.
OF !oca! politicians containing some
few tall figures OF brains. courage nud
broad patriotism. Ne may conccle
that IL wastes much time digui,ie>
friHolit'cs and maEnticH little thingg
we may confess that II has Invited did.
trust. We may choose TO think Of the
!hIuirinc member ~ the bright and
hlttcr Ens!ishwoman described an IN
terrogation point when asked what IL
was by POPE. misshapen poet, who had
anEered her-"A little crooked thing
that asks questions" II we do all
this we must accept the truth iha;
Congress T. the most direct rcprcsen-
tative OF the people and a co.ordinu,y
part Of the government !. ~ tcsDon-
sihle TO III. public for the legislation
n enacts the new laws II creates and
the changes II makes in old laws c,,n
OF these unanswered Interrogation
points knows that Ia district or state
lie must face. this summer and fan
thousands OF other INTERPRETATION
points, all clanorous. each owner of ,
ballot which, may determine his po-
litlca! rate lie mus. answer why this
Was done, what is the meaning OF thai.
what the purpose OF 'tuther. II he
confesses that he used tn. vote in
trusted to him by his constituents lack
ing understanding OF its results he in
v!teS tho final disaster Of dismissal 10,
confessed imbcciiity and unfa!thfuI-
ness. II he halts and stumb!cs in at.
tempt at explanation he must endure
the keen and scornful and hnghtin.
cross examination OF the opposition
Congress is convinced that the people
OF the country are with the President;
practically solid In approval! o. his
policies and methods and In confidence