Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-11-20
SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 20. 1870.
Establishing n state OF Mind

D ERHAPS the public manifests too great
easernesS Ill expecting Senator Harding
50 soon ailer ms election to submit 10 it
details of policies to be applied in govern
mental functioning To restore the country to
normalcy. Comments of the press upon his
FAILURE to define policy, except in the
barest outlines of platitudnous utterancc in
Inc only two formal public addresses he has
made since his election, are indicative of
the disappointment with which these ad-
dresses have been received
However in the light of influences which
contributed TO the overwhelming victory
which he won at the polls. one of which was
a wcll-nigh universal desire TO have the gov
eminent withdraw from too much inter
meddlinS with private business the Senator
IN the utterances TO which he has given OK
preston, seems TO he endcavoring 10 bring
the people around TO that state Of mind
which will enable them 10 appreciate his
position in trying to make the public man
date III In with the, as vet undetermined
policies OF his administrations To Tho work
ing of the details OF these time and though,
and counsel are eXpcdient and the nearly
Tour months 10 intervene before his inau-
gura;ion is none too much 10 be consumed
IN the preparation OF this working program
for the future
lhder the teachings OF that schoo, OF
political thought witch bias had domi-
mating influence iii Public affairs in recent
years, the people have come to expect too
much AT the hands of the government They
have ceased 10 regard highly the sound ad-
monition OF Thomas jefferson. that that
I government is best which governs least
They have encouraged the contrary princi-
pie. and III So doing brought upon them
selves the very evils against which they re-
VOTED al the polls and determined to end
I by eHectlng 4 change of party adminst ra-
fion. Senator Harding invited their conf
dence by promising 4 change OF policy. lie
recognizes the difficulties he has to face il,
erecting return TO true governmental
functioning, while at the same time at
tempting to influence that return 10 nor
malcy, meaning dtfused prosperity, which
he has promised will be the fruits of his adj
ministraion.
Hence, his insistence as Il basic prepara-
tion for the work ahead that the pcopIe
hold fast TO the old-time virtues OF Ihrift.
honesty and common sense. and become
self-reiant in graphing with the probleIns
ahead, and not expect too much OF the gov
ernment. There ale certain fundamen-
2 tails" he reminds them which are ever
lasting. Neither our own nor the worlds
NSalgation Is 10 be worked out through any
patent nostrnm, through any miracle OF
craftsmanship, through any government
panacea. Government is but the agency TO
administer collective, organized public ser
vice. The greater task is that OF the Amcri-
Gan people themselves II is for them, un-
der government leadership, 10 meet the
great test"
That may smack of tie platitudinous. but
1 Slf -
truths that need 10 be impressed. II is
necessary that the people take them TO heart
and make up their minds TO apply them il
they hope to reap the fruits OF their expcc-
Station III the choice OF now administration
Under capable government leadership they
may be assisted in the work TO which they
address their free energies. but. after all.
tho dynamics OF the achieving power must
Proceed from themselves