Milford chronicle., 1920-03-05
AN ELDER STATESMAN
lFrom Harvey's Weeklyl

Mr. Elihu Roots address at the convention of New
York State Republicans immeasurably instructive and
inspiring to the members of that party and will doubtless
serve certainly should indicate very largely their
policy and issues in the forthcoming national campaign
Republicans could have sounder counsel than that
which he gave them likely to them par
ty advantage more certain to be of patriotic ad
vantage the nation 1t is, however something
than party call to action that the speech deserves
attention In making it Mr.. Root he is well cap
able of doing, above the of party politician that
of Elder Statesman of the nation like of those
Japanese from whom have borrowed this phrase who
having filled the highest Offices of state and having fur
ther offices to seek to FILL give Of the fulness of their
experience and the rpeness their judgment gem
eral good of the nation.
We should indeed regret be compelled think that
upon of the chief points in his admirable address
there many Americans any party who disagreed
with Mr.. Root Take for example one which he him
self regarded perhaps the important of ALL the
need Of getting back to republican gov
ernment and ending the dictatorship which created
order to carry on the The fact that did create
virtual dictatorship is ndsputable to dissent from
Mr. Roots urging would be to say that should prac-
cally abandon repubcanism for dictatorship course
by republican and repubcanism reference is intended
to the political party for which and which Mr.. Root
speaking but rather the national principle
publican which the ideal the Revolu-
ton Nor is to be disputed that he said, it is not
in human nature to relinqush readily power poss
essed 10 tlat II TePT0aoh &c condemn the
President It is merely suggest most ftingly and most
considerably that the power which conferred the spe-
cal dictatorship should take the prompt initiative
Withdrawing it, and not wait voluntary renuncia-
ton of it.
Again turning to entirely different phase of affairs
Mr. Root emphasized the point that while of course we
should not attempt to abolish the right strike we should
by law restrain the exercise of that right within limits
where it will not conflict with the superior right of the
community to selfpreservaon It impossible to con-
eeive any thoughtful and loyal American dissenting
from that Judgment since the alternative would
sst the right of strike for tie destruction
of the community state and nation OF course the very
existence Of community state nation predcates
preme right of sefpreservatOn In the assertion that
right the community hesitates the rights
of capital of property insisting the owner of prop
erty shall arbitrarily relinqush his title a part of
it whenever the community for own purposes
If it is lawful to to You shall surrender GER
tain part of your property, of your income for the
common good is less lawful just and equitable
to say You shall surrender certain part your free
dom of action for the public good
Such counsel this is profitable to the nation It Is
not merely Republican party counsel and doctrine It is
patriotic American counsel doctrine which should
form part Of the creed OF every party worthy to parc
pate in American politics The that some places it
reflects adversely upon the President is an indication of
the distance to which he has departed from sound Amer
lean republicansm. We shall whether the party of
which he the dictator so far sutfy itself
to prefer his personal doctrines the principles upon
which this nation founded to which hitherto all
Important statesmen Of all parties have Loyalty adhered
70 dictatorship in time Of peace class domination at
ny time, no entangng obligation toward any alien Pow
rs Those not be the doctrines President Wilson
ut they the fixed principles the indomitabe res
luton of the American nation