The St. Joseph observer., 1920-11-20
MUST HAVE No POLITICAL
SAHOTNGE


result definitely known. Gov. Cox was
asked Tor statement and this .s what
Le said--a statement which should go
to the heart of every good citizen
cit IS my hope and firm belief that
the democracy Of the nation Will not
attempt political sabotage. The coun-
try has seen quite enough of that.
We ar" lu tho midst Of an emergency,
and th- nation 5 every resource should
coordinate IL behalf Of the things
that are helpful"
Sucu a statement is as salutnry and
refreshing as cool breeze at the end
Of y torrid day-for these United
state, have indeed seen enough OF
political sabotage, which has sprung
from the spirit OF partisanship Ia is
least lovely aspect. 1t has been in
evidence for almost two years, care
les pf its effect upon the government
of our country, upon the peaceful fu-
tune of the world, upon stability and
respect Tor public authority at home,
II only it could discredit President
wilson, bring his administration and
democratic party into direpute, and
so contribute toward its defeat in the
presidential election.
Ii was political sabotage that
wrecked the peace treaty, that con-
ver..i pro-league republicans into
league wrrckers that destroyed the
prestige and leadership OF the United
States as n great moral influence in
the world. that led a republican con-
gress TO disregard President Wilson's
urgent recommendations for tax re-
form and the amelioration of war
time conditions. and that directed and
incitcd savage and merciless personal
assaults upon a sick man in the White
House. II was political sabotage that
encouraged and profitcd by racial and
sectarian prejudice, that organized
American citizens into European
groups. and that mobilized all the
preJudices and hatreds and grievances
growing out Of the war and directed
them against tho government at
Washington.
The New York Evening Post quotes
a member OF the administration 10
tAes. words:
u can honestly soy that | wish
Harding coed luck. know what a
terrible task he Is going to have try
ing 20 please everybody. l know the
bitterness Of the attacks that will be
made on him, just as they have been
made on our president. I know that
no mans days in the White house
can bee free from the pain Of unfair
criticism. We did blunder, I know,
we Of this administration. But we
tried to blunder forward. When I
got back ou the bleachers and watch
the new game, I think l shall bo
bit more charitable than they have
been toward us"
Though the temptation 10 forget It
sometimes is unfortunately over
powariug, We are all Americans be-
fore wo are partisans The interest
OF all II us in the welfare Of our
country in its honor and usefulness
and Righteousness, Is incalculably
greater than our interest In a political
party. The fury OF partisanship
that lashrs into a tempest hatred Of
the president Of the United States,
dsrespeot for the government dls-
table as It is profoundly harmful. To
the extent that It succeeds it palsles
the power oc government and I'm
pedcs or blocks utterly its efforts for
needed accomplishment.
Few il any American presidents
have been confronted with such II
series Of tremendous duties and stag
Euring tasks as has Woodrow Wilson.
In peace as In war his pathway, from
beginning TO end. was strewn with
thorns. In T,ace and in war his ef-
forts were untiriRg and they we're at
tended with success that will endure.
Ills reward was that his country made
those thorns into a crown and Jabbcd
St down upon his forehead.
Enormous as were Wilson's diff
culties, heartbrcaking as were lis
tasks and duties, those OF Warren O..
Harding will hardly bo less. In his
efforts. and those Of his chosen and
elected advisers. 10 cope with the Ie-
sponsibIlities that confront them. this
paper sincerely hopes they will be
accorded at least fair play.
Every democrat who is a good citi-
zen Will take TO heart the patriotic
advice OF the party's leader: 1T is
my hope and firm belief that tho
democracy Of tho nation will not at