The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-07-01
THE TORCH BEARyi, or CIVILIZATION.

This is because oursfs government by parties
In very general Way the electors OF America
are divided between two great parties When
one half cheers the other half groans That ia
custom nor is there anything reprohcrsible or
dangerous in the practice.
Just now the other half tx holding ts CON
vention the shores of the Pacific where the
gives constant benedction II not absolu-
tion And some pray while others icor This
is our national life functionins-a feature OF
It that creates the utmost astonishment In the
minds OF foreign politicians; but also a feature
that distinguishes America from all else In the
world and is in fact Its chief glory.
At Chicago there gathered the ablest states
men and purest patriots Of at least half the
citizenship OF the republic. Though they may
have been at times more concerned with selfish
details than would have had them; though
their practices were not above reproach they
were Americans, and they did seek. flrt of all
the good of the republic II convention
of the peoples representatives for the purpose
OF formulating a governmental proposal for the
welfare of the union.
At San Francisco a similar convention is be-
ing held and with similar object in view. The
remaining statesmen and patriots OF the nation
are therefore gathered to make up their offer
ing TO the electors of America. Thus tho great
parties will presently place before the electors
of the great nation two sets of officials offered
platform OF governmental proposals and
ask for a decision between the two.
Nothing like that in government has ever
before existed on the face Of tho earth II is
the most glorious scheme OF self government
In fact that hot-forged from the brain
OF man And the genius OF tho whole idea
centers in the almost divine fact that both
parties are themselves governed by and are
sworn TO everlastnEly respect and uphold the
supreme sovereign which is not individual
but written document called the constitution
THIS sovereign is neither elected does
1t reign by accident Of birth. II has been set
up by the people themselves for their protection
and their discipline II guarantees liberty TO its
subjects, defense of them against one another
and against the aggressions Of all the world;
It protects the minority against the majority
and the majority against the minority. 1t does
everything that the most absolute monarch
OF all time ever capable Of doing and saves
the people harmless against that most danger.
Gus flaw in benevolent monarchical system, sue
. cession. And above all, over all-the supreme
\ advantage OF the entire system,---it makes the
American people the perfect masters OF their
own destlny IN any CIlslS Nnhl may come "
them.
So that SO long as both great parties are
committed to the constitution and sworn 10 pre-
serve Il with fidelity our domestic political df-
ferences are Of no vast and vital concern,
Can g be hat there has at last, after nearly
hundred and fifty years OF perfect union
come among us some who would indeed barter
the constitution. mortgage the right OF the peo-
pie TO decide in their own fashion where their
true interests lay in future crisis, and thrust
She nation into a foreign association which woult
operate to make it n dependency II not ou'
nation certainly an association OF nations
every one OF which is incapable Of understand
ing the magnificent spirit OF liberty and free
dom II has enjoyed?
That is the one great danger at Frisco !
the emocratic party runs true to the patriots o
! it's past pledges anew its tealty to the con
stitution and does homage 10 the aspiration
4 OF America then what else It does will be withi
. its rights and will not threaten the republic,
But II 1t does not do this; II IT does In fac
i make decision which in effect subverts the re
q public and lowers the coors that have flow
7 proudly over the battlements OF freedom for
long II in the slightest degree It taints Its actor
( with disoyalty, II must take it's place anon
the enemies OF the republic and outside III
psle OF every Americans fair consideration.