Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-01
ANTI-LEAGUE REPUBLICANS
UNTRUE TO PARTY IDEALS S
Shipwreck Ahead if Traditional Policy
Of Construction Is Abandoned Through
Plotting Of Insensate Politicians

Of Construction Is Abandoned Through
Plotting Of Irsensate Politicians
DARTISANSHIP that dcsccnds to mere
scolding has long been VIGOROUSLY
Improbable in American politics. WHIT
ened with the bones Of failure Is the
sterile path which the Democratic party
for many years pursued IN support OF
that policy Aside from harmful posi-
biliticS to the nation. sheer selfish poltI-
cal interests arc Sorrily served thereby.
The Democratic donkey was no hazy
symbol. 1t very vividly typifod a spirit
of fatuOuS obstimaCy, 80 stupidity unrca-
soning as to be absurd. From LincoIns
to the end of Arthur's administration Re
publican constructive measures abctted IN
the most efficient fashion the natural
growth of the united nation.
If the opposition derived enjoyment
from being "sorc,' that emotion marked
the limit of its satisfaction. There were
no material rewards, for common scold
is not an ingratiating figure,
The scene was rc-cnactcd when Re-
publican enterprise freed Cuba, .'csCuCd
Porto Rico and the Philippines, invested
the United States with world power dis
tinction, ably supported American indus
tries, espoused tho valid doctrine of rcci-
procity and nobly championcd the code of
"opendoor' justice in the Far East.
There are excellent reasons in vcrifica-
ton of tho statement that this country is
NORMALLY Republican" 1t can. however
only remain so in case the party itself is
normal, healthy in its Endorsement of its
traditional constructive creed.
A departure from this policy, such as is
eXemplified in opposition to the league of
nations-a subject altogether unsuitable
for partisan capitalization-is decidedly
sign of illness. Since the nation was
formed it has never discussed a topic less
fitted for factional pickering.
Democrats, who may champion the idea
solely from the party angle, interpret it
as enormously as those Republicans who
oppose it because it happens to have the
support Of the present administration.
lntrnsically, the conception lies out
side the ordinary domain of partisan
DOllllNN' II "dH " give II uIlllIldIc u reality
that the United States, despite distinc-
tions of party lines, went to war to end
war. Peace and the ideal of maintaining
it with justice and in cooperation with
the rest of civilization was the aim of
no particular party when, after repeated
provocation, we took up arms in 1917
1t is the foundation of permanent
which Iarnpt orio
wishes to see laid today. Scrupulous eX-
animation of the groundwork of the
structure as provided for in the league
pact is the part of progressive patriotic
idealism. But blindly derogatory argu.
ment, obviously advanced because at a
time when the assembled nations seek tc
establish the bonds of mutual security
Woodrow Wilson happens to be President
of the United States, contains elements
of the gravest political error.
1t echoes of the futile donkey brayinl
of yore.
1t is reminiscent of the diatribes of the
Parker Democrats against the admirable
administration of Theodore Roosevelt
Devoid of sound constructive measures t.
advance, those shallow partisans STUN
bled into only one thing which wa
deep-ther grave. The triumph of con
structive Republcanism in 1904 was on,
of the greatest on record.
1t is open to no dispute that the Repub
lican sentiment of the country has beel
undergoing a new development during
the second administration of Mr.. Wilson
The congressional elections were con
elusive proof.
But the power recently acquired will
| have to be wisely used if the most popu
| lar of American parties is to resum
| fully its honorable role of broad-minde,
benefcence. And this means that tn
| sharpest lines should be drawn betweeI
issues which the Republicans ought t
indorse in opposition to laundering Demo
Gratis and the monumental issue int
which the injection of political spleen i
folly.
Mincing matters will only make ther
worse. The senatorial "round-robin" no
only displayed the most heartless disre
gard of the lessons of the war, but it wa
as palpable a display of insincerity, in
spired by political passions, as America
| history has ever revealed.
Republicans, smarting because thei
party has been, out of power, may sui
scribe in a spirit of resentment to tn
sentiments voiced by the Lodges, tn
Poindexters, the Borahs and the Shel
mans. But thousands upon thousands Q
other members of distinguished polit
cal party must, if they think for an in
slant, tingle with shame at all this ignt
Bile maneuvering. This strategy" is il
sane politics, for with Americans in thei
present mood concerning war the leagu
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