The Redwood gazette., 1918-01-30

portunitv and some Of the Democrats do not |
hesitate to state that the Republicans are trying
to throw monkey wrench into the machinery
whenever the foreman of the works is off his
guard
We do not pretend to know what the truth is
and having heard and read many truthful"
political speeches that owed their claim to dis
tinction to their clever lodging Of the truth, we
are ready to make quite liberal discount in mat
ters of this kind.
Personally we believe that these statements
of charges and counter charges, in the Record,
are greatly inflated We believe that the mem
bers of Congress are too big, too patriotic, to
play politics at this time.
We are going to believe this in spite of what
they say about themselves.
The man or the party that plays for political
advantage at this time that is to say, uses the
siuation that now confronts the country as an
opportunity for selfish ends, is not patrotc-
we could put it much more strongly and be JUS
titled.
It would be shame were Congress playing
politics when the common people Of the country
are Loyalty making and meeting all sacrlhces
that the situation requires of them.
Nothing could more effectively disorganize the
country and destroy the morale OF the people,
than to find that the men in power, the men at
the head of things, using their positions
and the advantages that they offer, IN the IN
terests of party politics-even in the remotest
degree
In these days the common people are not par
tisan.
They are not partisan in their local politics
and thew believe, with the faith of an enthusi-
asst, that there should be no such thing as par
tv in the prosecution of this war.
In matters that are vital to the welfare of the
nation at this time, that is to say, in matters
that effect the prosecution Of the war; to be pro-
party is not any better than being pro-enemy
| Just now, all that we need is an American
party.
| Effective prosecution of the war and an hon
est administration of public affairs is the main
thing at this time
| To the end that both these may be accom-
plished every loyal American should do his ut
most.
The war is not going to last forever and when
| it is over it will be time enough to talk about
party politics.
There are many things that need adjusting IN
our national and state affairs, many things OF the
utmost Importance, but these can wait
When the war is there is going to be
much adjusting in this world and that will be
the time to agtate for the changes that are
wanted.
We are going to be in a better shape to do
it then The people of this nation are dong a
lot of sober. serious thinking at this time and
thew will be better prepared than ever to deal
with the political and economic problems that
confront them when the is over.
It was Abraham Lincoln who said to his crit
les, in the dark days of the civil war; that his
only thought and aim to "save the Union
sTo save the Union" is not "a bad slogan al
this time
If we do not work on that principle the chances
, are that these other things will not matter much
Before we try to adjust party and pontca
difficulties within these United States let us
make sure that going to have countr!
Ibv that name to adjust things in
When the town that you live in is on fire yol
have nothing but contempt for the man Wht
raises the issue of rivalry between streets Of
nlavs upon the prejudices of local factions
| What then have you to say to these larger
factions. called parties, that raise the issue Of
political advantage in an hour when the mine
and the torpedo and the cannon are planted a
the door of the nation?
There is more than one kind of disloyalty.
The fool who makes light of the cause of his
country and who refuses to lend the aid tha
there is in his power to lend, is treated with the
contempt that he deserves, and in many instances
there is visited upon him the just punishment
that he has merited But is not the offense Of
the fool trife, when compared with the Tar
reaching act of the man "higher up" who take:
advantage of the situation for the purpose Of
making political capital out of it?
The profteerng crook and the political trick
ster are far greater enemies of the country thar
, are the irresponsible, braying asses that occa
sionally break forth in thoughtless words of sedl
), ton.
It is loyalty in the higher, the deeper, th
! fundamental things that is paramount
) Thank God that there is no longer South O.
a North in this country. Would that we coul'
' saw at this time that there is Democrat, nj
Republican, no Socialist
In their time and place these all serve thei
, purpose But today is not the time, nor is Amer
r ca of the present, the place, for any of them
5 AS soon as this war is over, we, who belon'
4 | to parties-and the few to whom parties belon!