The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-06-27

not observed, or at least fail to ex-
ert alarm. until their unesca pa bic
consequences appear. That Is the
situation at the, moment. AS q
nation we have approached the
point where final decision must be
made. Whether we are In fact TO
agree to the conversion of the re-
public into a pure democracy, 1T
whether we are to retrace our steps
and once again take position and
begin to function as a republic. We
have Woodrow Wilson to thank for
forcing the decision but not to con-
denim as the author OF our degenera-
ton, assuming II to be such.
Tho Chicago Demonstration.
The Chicago convention did much
10 impress this fact on the minds OF
all keen observers OF current history
and students of political economy.
And the lesson was driven home by
the incongruities resulting from q
clash OF the pure democracy idea
with the representative theory in
the manner OF constitutionlng a
national convention.
1t may be that the primary meth
cd OF electing delegates to a national
convention Is desirable, or Ii may
be that the caucus and convention
method Is most desired. There il
ample room for division on that
point, ana division is certain to
occur between those who differ as
TO which is the most desira BILE, a
pure democracy or ubl!c, But
on one point all must agree and
all who attended the Chicago con-
vention do agree-the two methods
cannot be successfully employed.
one or the other must give way.
There can be no refusal to ac-
cept the premise that the convention
OF representative government, JUST
as the primary Is a legitimate child
OF pure democracy. Manifestly the
people can not directly select the
delegates who are to nominate a
ticket and present the platform OF
legislative promises on which the
ticket seeks the suffrage OF the
electors. Consequently they select
representatives for the purpose
They may or may not instruct those
delegates with respect TO cektain
matters OF great import. But in
any event the representatives thus
chosen are expected to act as units
In the clearing house OF the party
where compromise Is not only al
ways essential but is of the very
essence rof representative govern
ment.
The Beauty OF Representative
Government.
The writer Is one that sees in the
forced compromise between various
leaders and sections that has come
to be characteristic OF national con-
ventions no less than OF county or
state conventions, not only one OF
lhe beauties OF the representative
system of conducting government,
nut the sheet anchor OF represent
ative government. We hear much
OF the boss in politics, and Of the
"old guard" In conventions. But
II Is OF the very nature OF the two
systems that a dictator cannot exist
under the representative system: he
comes, when at ALL as result Of
birth or the outgrowth OF a pure
democracy.
The give and take OF the repre-
sentative system, the necessity for
compromise, the forced accomodu,
tion of conflicting elements, sections
ana purposes, operates TO season the |
whole with reason and to act az
cooling chamber on the temper or
men.
All this is lacking in the direct |
pr primary process.
The Chicago convention was dead |
locked from its very inception. |
why? Because portion OF the |
delegates had been elected by direct |
received their instructions |
on one point alone In that manner, |
and no man could say with certainty |