The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-08-13

; ; s: s:::. e; 81 :; Gas IL
the demonstration gives pictur-
esque setting. In the presence OF
delegates from Eufope and Asia. It
calls attention to the lf-hearted
nature Of our belief in peace, to the
hollowness of our belief in freedom.
A letter just received gives me q
gentle scolding for making what II
calls a false prophecy, meaning my
statement last winter that the Ad-
ministration could be trusted to
carry out its promise to take up
these cases IN a few weeks.
Believes in Fair Play.
Maybe It was a mistaken course
of action on my part, and yet i can
not willingly give up the belief that
IL Is wise to trust people as long as
1t is in any way possible.
The same letter genoralizes a bit.
II thinks 1 over-praise the able steps
taken by the Administration, say as
little as possible about the errors and
thereby make myself unduly respon-
sible for the outcome of it's policies.
On that point I am not lying awake
nights. The very fact that l was an
enthusiastic supporter OF Mr.. Wilson
and that my heart Ia always with
the liberals against the conservatives.
makes II the more incumbent on me
to be scrupulously fair, even gener-
GUS, when a huge majority OF the
American people has In an election
decided against my views and put
into power the gro APPS that / do not
naturally think with.
The party system seems to be the
best device for popular government
that we have been able to think up.
yet 1t is full OF meanness and ex.
aggeration, of false claims and vim
dictive opposition.
Real Test TO Come.
The honeymoon that every admin.
istration enjoys for a little while is
not without its justification. II is
a sort OF sense Of fair play, abstain
ing as far as possible from inter
ference while the new wielders OF
power show in what manner they
mean to carry out the promises of
platform and campaign and also
while we see how the people like
what they have chosen.
Commonly the political situation
is such that the President can make
a few pleasant speeches and play a
little golf, or go fishing. during his
first summer. while Senators and
Congressman go home and tell their
constituents what great men they
are. 1t is not, therefore, until the
winter following inauguration that
serious troubles begin. Congress is
then on the Presidents hands. all
the offices have been filled and the
country is looking eYpectantly to see
the magical performances promised
by the best minds.
Mr.. Harding's administration had
no such ten months breathing spell.
Congress had to sit right down and
give us tariff that would give every
body high duties without exports in
terfering with foreign trade.
It had to get rid OF unpopular taxes
and find others that people would
welcome as infants are supposed to
welcome soothing syrup.
Mr.. Harding had to show the differ
ence between Wilson's usurpation Of
the powers Of Congress and his own
reluctant assumption Of leadership.
Many Difficult Problems.
He had to show Just how the United
States was going to exhibit world
leadership in international escape
iioih tic dlteI-WdI Hless, WITHOUT nav
ing his throat cut either by the ir-
reconcilables or by those leading Re-
publicans who had told the public that
the best way to get league was to
elect Harding.
have no excuse to offer for the
Debs case or other similar cases. I
admit freely that they have been han
died with singular lack Of political
sense. Instead of being disposed of as
VIII Hays disposed of his cases, they
have been kept alive to cause an over
growing trouble and to give an ever
mounting impression of weakness and
Of bad faith.
have been gentle about II, not be-
cause have any tolerance in my heart
for cruelty. self-righteousness and the
oppression Of free thought, but because
the Administration is confronted by
such enormous difficulties that we
should all do our part to help It.
Besides, when the real drive is made,
next November, II there is not action
before then, there will be much more
popular backing than there would have
been at any earlier date.