The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1921-09-09
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national conscience is lower than
individual conscience and that
the peace of the world is theat-
ened by the fact that the stand
ard of nations is lower than that
of individuals. This might be
true of absolute monarchies but
where do we get the notion in
republics. We elect our own
representatives and if they low
er the national standards they
are our representatives and we
have the privilege of recalling
them at their election. If we
ere 9M u9q4 pe4u9s9IdoJs!W 9Ie
answerable if we are Indifferent
and let the matter rest. There
is no question but that we are
more particular about our own
individual actions than we are
of that indefinite thing called
the state; but, if we are the
state, then we cannot let the
state decline and ourselves stand
still. 1t is quite probable that
nations do not measure up to the
best individuals in it, neither do
they descend to the worst, so it
may be that the state and the
average individual may be about
on the same standard.
Some folk are fussing because
the disarmament conference is
to be held behind closed doors.
Newspapers and magazines
brought considerable pressure to
bear that the sessions might be
brought before the public each
day. 1t is a nice little dream to
have open covenants openly
arrived at" but somehow they
don't work out. We were going
to have something of the sort at
the Peace Conference in Paris
but President Wilson found when
he arrived in Paris that phrase
making and treaty making were
two different propositions. This
conference in many ways will
resemble a treaty making con-
ference, although it is not call
ed by such a name. Delicate
questions and national sensitive
spots will be touched upon and
we all know that such matters
cannot be discussed openly and
get anywhere. The Conference
will get further in a short time
with decent secrecy than it would
by talking eternally for the pub
lie. The public will probably get
a gist of what is going on for
even closed doors have
peep-holes and cracks.
The editor Of the London Spec
tator has an article on the COM
ing conference in Washington
and it is distinctly compliment
tary to the President, pointing
out that he is just the type of a
man to make a success of the con-
ference, sane and steady, looking
for a square deal and without
frills. The Spectator says "All
that is really necessary to say
about him is that he can be
trusted to manage the confer
ence wisely and without passion
or prejudice" President Hard
ing does not swallow every bit
of taffy that is handed to him :
and then look for more but he
must feel that this article of the
Spectator is a distinct compi-
ment and that the feeling, if it {
reflects English feeling, will be a
distinct asset to the success of
the coming conference.
Everywhere we hear that j
dyes do not hold their !
color like the foreign dyes and ]
it is certain that there is no
certainty about fast colors these :
days. But there may be some {
other explanation than American
dyes. The Associated Advertis-
ing Clubs of the World have :
made a thorough examination 7
INTO the subject and their de- ]
,ision is that this opinion of the :
nferiority of American dyes is
he result Of a very efficient r
propaganda. Propaganda is e
-ery handy word but there is a 2
OF Of poor dye getting over
lere wherever it comes from. I
Marconi thinks he has a mes o
age from Mars. via wireless. a
he only way to receive the >
Jews is with an open mind be- \