Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-10-26


which they are dedicated, IL there
is sent to Washington this fail
a Congress which at heart OPP
poses itself?
1t evidently means something
quite deep and overwhelming, but
as to the consequences of the cleo
ton OF Congress which will be con-
trolled by the Republican sentiment
OF the country, the United States
and its allies will have no fear. Nor
will there be any question anywhere
as to the patriotic devotion of the
Republican statesmen to the great
principles to which the United States
has dedicated its men and its re-
sources of every sort.
President Wilson has weakened
himself in his partisan appeal for
support of Democrats and instead of
helping Democratic candidates for
Congress he has probably given i'm
petus TO the demands of the people
generally for an unfettered, free
and intelligent expression of the
public mind through the legislative
branch of the government. Instead
Of such an appeal. the President
in view of the consistent and able
support of Republican leaders in
Congress and out-should have call
ed into counsel with him those
men of. the opposite political faith
who have shown by their works and
by their frequent appeals to their
countrymen, the breadth and sin
cerity OF their patriotism and 10y
atty.
Since the President himself has
reconvened the politics which he
had previously adjourned. he may
expect Republicans to take him At
his word. They will be justified in
giving him such an answer as will
demonstrate for all time the de-
termination of the American people
10 have hand in their own govern
ment. Again we are impelled TO sug-
gest that while we are getting rid of
one kind of an autocracy we should
be careful that we do not encourage
another sort in this country.
Similar appeals were made in
New Hampshire, Wisconsin and
elsewhere and the answer came back
promptly in a way that was not TO
the liking of the Democratic attempt
TO use the war for partisan political
purposes.
1t is obvious that the Presidents
real purpose in seeking the election
of a Democratic Congress is not that
he fears lack of support during the
war, but that he will not be able to
shape legislation along Democratic
lines during the reconstruction per-
iod after the war. This is the milk in
the cocoanut and it is the. reason
why the people of the United States
should pay absolutely no attention 10
his plea, for il is a matter of historic
record that the policies OF the Demo-
cratic party have proved destructive
to business and oppressive to labor
during every period in which that
party has been in power. Every
Democratic administration - Will
sons first term not eXcepted-has
been marked by the wreck of indus
try and ruin OF countless individuals.
Mills have been closed and bread
lines heightened. The soup house
has replaced the restaurant. 1t was
so in Cleveland's day; it was so in
the Wilson administration before the
war came along with its big orders
from Europe; il will be so again If
a Democratic Congress is left to
shape the affairs of the nation after
the war.
five listened TO the President none
but Democrats would be elected TO
the next House and Senate. What an
absurdity this would be in a govern
ment in which the minority power
is always useful as a balance wheel.
II we in Pennsylvania hearkened to
the White House plea. we should
turn Democratic over night, al
though an overwhelming majority Of
our voters do not believe in the doc
trines of Democracy. We are asked
to cast our ballots against the die
tates OF our own consciences. We
shall not do it for the President nor
for anybody. else. Mr.. Wilson's plea
is illogical, ill-timed and thoroughly
out of tune with his own professions.
II is a mere subterfuge TO use the
war in an effort TO bolster up the
waning powers OF Democracy. and is
Of a President of Nhe
United States.