South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-06-06
THE NATIONAL CONVENTIONS.

lI1E INA IOINEhL CONVENTIONS.
THIS week the party that was first led to victory
by Abraham Lincoln will meet in Chicago TO
nominate its national ticket and concoct platform
upon which it will hope to ride to victory again
Under the American system. which has in effect
evolved into government by parties It is an occa-
sion of great Importance; likewise that other
tonal convention to be held two weeks hence at
San Francisco. The president of the United
States will quite unquestionaby be nominated at
or the other of these conventions If the nom
nations we'll made If fit men, we'll and
good. but If sometimes happens they are
born in iniquity and bred in SIM" after
the that both parties have candidates bid
ding for the high honOr,-well it is not for us to
prophecy.
Plainly enough, however just at this time de-
mocracy-meaning democracy in the broad, non
partisan sense,-is suffering in America from tn
same reaction and unrest is business labor, So
cety generally. including the schools and church
Human selhshness with sort OF surer-egotism
always imagining the public wrapped up in the
private good. half the nation grabbed and I'M
less the electorate watches with wde-open eyes,
these conventions quite prone execute
mortgage the other half. 1t Will be we'll for the
people home study these convention perform
ances and study them seriously; and, not only the
performances, but. WELL the declarations prin-
ciples
That what contemplated by the fathers
OF the republic in founding It upon the consent
OF the governed" They anticipated intelligent
consent Parties formed as nucleus OF modified
intelligence tending particular Parties.
theoretically at least anticipate that their adherens
in accord with their line Of thought. Partisan
ship proper. is dogmatic OF course. but rather
courts adherence its dogmas after thoughtful
consideration, than the result of inheritance
participation in chasing the band.
We will have more Of an ideal America and less
OF a hypocritical democracy-f the time ever comes
when political parties become patriotic and in
stead OF making of their campaign a mere race for
Office, a real race for governmental uplft and pop
ular welfare. Out of the two national conventions
will come every conceivable appeal, 10 popular pre-
judice individual impulse. special interests that
the propagandists IN charge of the platform making
capable of-so long as according their guess.
those appeals are constructed as to catch more
votes than they drive away. II is among the saving
graces OF democracy that some men do thnk-even
some OF the socially" considered rabble. which
casts the most OF the votes.-and where thought is
you generally find a two-edged sword. quite like
~ TO one way another when II IS really after
the truth: a thing OF which patforIn-nakers are
sometimes conscious.
There room this country for two poticai
parties and third be useful. in pointing
out 10 them the way The country would not be safe
without at least two parties-if there going to
be parties all. and perhaps they indispensable.
They should. however, try to serve the country.
gardess OF which is IN power and the people should
be patriotic enough TO resent any partsanship that
dares seek to block public service. Accordingly
would encourage readers to follow the
ton reports OF the coming weeks and follow them
closely It is the beginning OF great quadrennie
campaign OF education and poppycock Get your
mental fanning-mill ready and do what you to
separate the wheat from the char. There will be
considerable OF both and badly mixed.