The diamond drill., 1918-07-06
Il HAVE BEEN COMMANDED
TO RUN FOR SENATOR
Henry Ford
Henry Ford.


the government OF Germany In his
own hands is something for every
citizen Of Michigan 10 read, mark,
learn, and inwardly digest In the
present state OF our politics AS king
OF Prussia, Wilhelm appoints IL mem
bers OF the bundesrath--the nearest
equivalent Germany has to the United
States senate. Three more members
are Also selected from Prussian ter
ritory. The total membership is 5S,
all OF whom are appointed by heredit-
ary princes. With 20 members, IL OF
them appointed directly by its king.
Prussia also enjoys the constitutional
privilege OF vetoing all measures re-
lating to the army, navy. customs, ex-
else and collection OF revenue; and
her hold on that extraordinary con-
stItutional privilege is riveted in the
provision that changes In the consti-
tuition can be blocked by the votes of
only IA members of the bundesrath.
Thus the kaiser, In his capacity as
king OF Prussia. runs the bundesrath,
and the bundesrath runs the reich
stag; and 1t is to prevent the kaiser
from extending his system OF political
slavery to the whole civilized world
that America is fighting him today. II
Is the noblest mission OF the United
States in this war. a mission as mob
ly worded by our president, to make
the world safe democracy"
Woodrow Wilson's Democracy.
To attain the strength and efficiency
essential TO victory we have thought
It wise TO grant the executive head OF
our government almost plenary pow
ers. 1t has been argued that some
OF these powers belonged to the
calef executive in time OF war with
out congressional action; but in ac-
cordance with the spirit OF true dem
ocracy, which America represents, the
president insisted on consulting the
country through congress, even when
mis- power to act without such con-
sultation may have been assured. He
even stopped the passage of a bill to
transfer trial for sedition from the
civi. courts to military courts, giving
as his reason that the measure was
mot only unconstitutional, but that in
character it would put us nearly upon
tho level OF the very people we are
fighting and affecting TO despise."
He Is quite evidently determined to
press back Prussianism at every
point. at home as well as abroad. But
how are we to explain his attempt TO
name a United States senator from
Michigan instead of leaving that TO
the people OF Michigan, to whom as a
'oyaI and self-governing people it be-
longs, and to no other?
There Is an essential difference, OF
course. between the methods OF Will
helm II and Woodrow Wilson, Will
helm says: II hereby name the Duke
OF Hassenpfeffer a member of the
bundesrath. What are you going to
do about it,"
Whereas Woodrow Wilson simply
says: my personal selection for
United States senator from Michigan
is Henry Ford You may choose an
other, but he will not look nearly as
good to me-"
And yet we doubt If the action Of
Wilhelm III himself could be more Of
fensive to the people of free Ameri-
can commonwealth, practised in civil
liberty and jealous Of it, than the ac-
ton of Woodrow Wilson in this case.
Henry Ford's Democracy.
Ii IS not unreasonable to suppose
that the president, under the hourly
pressure OF vast international as well
as national problems, has taken the
easiest way out OF some party ques-
tions by o. king what the party man
ayers do. as he did in the case of
Michigan. and 50 conserving his in
tellectual powers for more portentous
events That may be what he meant
when he told congress that politics
Is adjourned" far as the White
House at least is concerned.
But unfortunately his candidate in
Michigan doesn't understand II that
way, Mr.. Ford speaks as II there
was no difference between the con-
stitutional authority OF Woodrow
Wilson and Wilhelm III. Following
his astonishing announcement that he
had decided to run for the senate "at
the earnest request OF the president
OF the United States" Mr.. Ford pro
claims:
have been commanded TO run FOL