The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1920-02-05
1920 and THE DOLLAR MARK.

Hank back to the summer Of 1872.
something less than eight years ago.
(How time tiieS). 1t is to the RooSe-
Welt Progressive convention of that
wear that we turn and it Is the half
religious and intensive reform spirit
manifested by former Republicans and
Democrats that we would recall. The
enthusiasm and devotion of crusade
is in the faces Of those delegates.
1T will pass" remarked Il man Of
wide experience and high standing in
the financial world 1t Is Il great
movement. but it will sub>ide. 1t is
only little business fighting big bust
hess and they will get together again
in time"
And in time the prophecy was full
filed. The great leader returned to
his old party and went down with it
in defeat. The Progressive platform
was adopted in great measure by the
Democratic party and. in truth. the
new planks were no strangers among
the old boards.
Big business did not return to power
Four years Of the Wilson adminiStr;t-
ton had shaken its hold upon political
and even financial control. The wal
came. and the hand of the Government
was greatly strengthened. Big bust
hess was even forced to pay big taxes
During war times even wealth is pa
triotic. but long before the war ended
big business began its campaign for re
turn to pOwer-or for "a return t.
sane government" 1t all means thu
same thing in the concluding chapter
Of a long story.
The campaign of big business tool
the form Of a fight on radicalism.
endeavored to spread terror Of Rolshev
ism with the object of promoting con
sentative reaction from the trend to
ward Democracy that had during re
cent years taken financial control on
of Wall Street and landed it In tn
Treasury Department ut Washington
Big business could not move the con
troll of finance back to Wall Street II
New York City. but it hoped and still
hopes to recapture the Treasury De
partment and the general government
ut Washington and once more make
subject to Wall Street control.
! ii.
And so there is Il widespread agiti
ton that has gotten Il responsive sci
timent among large numbers Of peopl
for a business man for President an
for a business administration Of til
Government. 1t is movement tina
decries the old parties and claims
premium for efficiency. 1t is nov
ment for return to earth In business
politics. craftsmanship and even su;
: yestS the placing Of the churches on
!, workaGay. conlnon-Sense basis in $yl
pathy with successful business and c
Ordinated government.
| 1t is popular movement alrea(
and it has even now made such hea
l way that the friends Of free COVER
ment and free institutions will do we
) to Join in the movement for ratiOns
| ism Ill business. government iNi llIo
ality-for sound business and orsa
!. lied morality are good things for Del
ocracy as well as for big business
1 only Democracy must control. And Il
r organized power of Seltishness til
2 would grasp all good Instruments I
D evil ends must lie defeated on its ov
t chosen battlefield this year. or else t
e gains Of the past years are to he ma
: as though such liberal reforms new
r had been. Democracy must put for
a business Democrat for President.
IS 1t would be useless to deny that p,
< tyiSm is diScredited for the time bel
|. among the people Of the United Stat
e The old parties will not pass away. L
: the one that draws nearest to the III
II spirit of liberalism and organized co
:! mon sense will doubtless win in
o presidential election this year. The
y is already multitude Of candidat
e Both parties are offered soldiers. be
- with and without war records: stat
b men who never guided state a
II statesmen who have Invariably gott
e the ship of state among the rocks ;
x also to the front in the bidding. re;l
to do better next time. And some h;