New-York tribune., 1919-05-12
Parhsanship

partisan than national causes-ls more
concerned about promoting the interests
of political party than about creating
a public opinion which will integrate
Americans and make all proud sharers
in the satisfaction which the country
may we'll feel in the great position it has
achieved.
This slipping down to low level is
shown by the attack which The Times
sees fit to make on Senator Lodge be-
cause he is unwilling blindly to follow
orders and refuses to be false to Che obli
cations he assumed when he took his
oath of office. Senators have a respon-
sibility specifically laid on them by the
Constitution; are guardians of their own
honor and custodians of the interests of
a remote future; are protectors of the
very essence of democratic institutions,
and they may not substitute any judg-
ment save that Of the people, duly ascer-
taned and recorded, for their own. Yet
because they are true, not false, they are
the objects Of gross assault.
They are accused of being animated by
narrow partisanship. No evidence, or
even probable justification, is adduced,
yet the accusation is made. Senators
may we'll smile in the presence of the in
dictment Early in March, when they
signed the Senatorial statement, they
were similarly assailed. High authority
declared they possessed "pygmy" minds,
and, taking the cue, the partisan press
was filled with belittlements and asper-
sion of motive. Now it is admitted by
their former critics that they were right.
Indeed, the basis of the new demands
and the new campaign of abuse is that
their advice was taken. Those who thus
confess to error of past views may hard
ly claim impeccability for present ones.
Instead of striking it's objective, the
charge is boomerang that returns to
hit those launching it. Measures, you
describe yourselves. AS to war ques-
tions there is and has been little part-
sanship among the American people.
Practically all have joined in-Demo-
erats,. Republicans, even the great body
of Socialists. The man or newspaper
that raises the cry of partisanship SLAM
ders the great body Of his fellow citizens.
Not the least glorious feature Of the
last two years has been the spirit which
kept in check those sneahngly willing
to capitalize the war to a party's ad-
vantage. II In volunteers, in tax pay
ing, in bond buying, in all the multiform
activities in which men and women Of
all classes and sections threw them
selves some states did more than others
this was due to non political causes and
influences Few persons anywhere were
party-conscious.
The merit of keeping partisanship out
is chiefly due to the men whose patriot
ism is now sought to be drawn into cues
ton. When the war came, entailing
common responsibilities, the suggestion
was made that here, as in other coun-
tries, the government should become a
coalition one. The Administration saw
fit to reject the proposal. 1t preferred
to function through party agencies. The
decision made it mere difficult to keep
partisanship down, but it was accepted,
and Mr.. Lodge and his associates were
able to induce their colleagues to outdo
the Presidents party friends in support
OF the Administration. Grants of au-
thority and resources were placed with
the President such as had never been in
trusted to the most illustrious of his
predecessors. Failures were condoned,
mistakes were not emphasized, to avoid
embarrassing the Administration. This
record is known to all fair-minded Amer
leans
The Administration made an open
partisan appeal when, on the advice of
Burieson, 1t issued its extraordinary pre-
election proclamation. But this having
met ths rebuke it richly deserved, parti-
sanship was again sent to the rear.
row the powerful newspaper organs
Of the Administration seem dissatisfied
With this condition and raise partisan
cries. They are sufficiently versed in
politics and know the probable consc-
auence OF trying to make questions
saixed by the general course of the Pres.
dent party ones.
As TO such matters, all men should
ignore parties and be simply free Amer.
igans, remembering tfat the zass<. quick