South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-12-14

N1 votes
Every political party has is fun
rights under the constitution AS
the electors decide. so shall the /
unatter be settled. The men they I
return 70 parliament in majority
viii be the mon from whom the
government or the country VIII be
formed: and as long as that gov
eminent IS loyal 20 the constitution
al system under which II has, In a
free democracy. obtained power, fl /
is the duty OF all citizens 10 assist
in the ordinary non-party national
business OF administration.
Rights and Duties.
Those who do not like the gov
eminent OF the day have the freest
right OF political opposition in and
out OF parliament, but they have no
right 20 obstruot or hamper the ad-
ministration Of the state. Everyone
has his rights. and everyone has
got 20 do his duty. This is well and
clearly understood The British
constitution does not belong TO any
particular set OF people in this
country. but to the whole nation.
and II Will be found 20 work obed-
iently and faithfully. however, the
ration may decide
The suggestion that a labor gov
ernment would not find the means
OF carrying on the administration OF
the affairs OF the British empire at
home and abroad is utterly un-
worthy OF the spirit OF British pub
lie life. Admirals, generals diplo-
natists. civil servants would be
bound 20 lend their aid, and their
loyal aid, within the limits OF the
constitution. The kings govern
ment must be carried on.
Trade Union Conservatism.
Nevertheless, the accession to
office OF the labor party while that
partv Is still organized as class
party and before IL has acquired
- sufficient experience and elements
- responsibility, and before it has
ID clearly thought-out scheme Of
practical action, would be an unde-
riabIe injury 20 the country, and
would involve the labor party itself
in little less than a disaster.
The first and the greatest OF the
"a labor government after II had TAX
on office would be the immense diff
ference between its practice and it,
principles.
strength of Such Government
The main strength and foundation
Of such a government could only
be the trade unions OF the country.
The ordinary trade unionist work
ing man has a great deal Of natural
conservatism about him. He is a
strong individualist in all his per
soual affairs. He IS a sturdy pa
xtriot and nationalist, as was SC
abundantIy proved throughout the
war. He is not in the least cosmo-
po!itan IN his outlook. He share:
to the full our insular prejudices
against foreigners. He has not we
by any means forgotten what the
Germans did in the war. He shares
also the average BritOn's dislike
and distrust OF government manage
ment and state control.
Trade union politics are essential
Iv class politics Their unconsciou
bias ia far more towards the syndi
callstic than towards the socialist,
solution OF industrial problems
Trade unionists, moreover, are
privileged class, who enjoy wage
higher than those OF the great mas
OF the working people.
The New Bourgeois
II all the income OF the countr.
were divided up equally among it
population, most trade uniOnist
would ind their weekly wages sub
stantially reduced. In fact, tn
trade unionist is really a bourgeois
With a bourgeois outlook strongl
tinctured with radicalism, and wit
bourgeois interests to defend.
II "a for these reasons that IN
trade unionists, while supplying tn
main motive power TO the laoo
movement. have always been
ssabilizing force IN British nations
life.
Even more f. al this true OF IN
responsible leaders OF the trade IN
ion movement They are essential
IL Rsn OF moderation occupied
advancing the interests OF thei
class and OF their union withou
isopardizing the fortunes Of thei
country. Some OF them have re
Gently had charge OF great depart
raeats OF state. and others are SIT
IN office This has been a very grea
advantage from every point OF view
and every effort should be made b
those who wish 20 see our countr
a true commonwealth, 20 repeat
continue and extend the experiment
No class must have the monopol
u governing the British state n
class must be excluded from II.
The continuance OF a capitals
state OF society IS only justiaabIe 4
proof positive can be given. not onl,
IN government. but IN every spher
OF life and action. that the road 4
open up 20 the very summit for nat
ural abilities and high character.
"Crazy Doctrines"
But the principles and platform
II q labor government, and still
more the propaganda by which {
would be carried into power. ar
amazingly different from the view