The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1922-11-24

We are copying a very sane edi.
torial from the Miami Herald or
the subject of a "Ihird Party" ano
its chance of success.
Bernard Baruch, W no was recently sug-
gested by an enthusiastic friend as the
head of a third political party, says he sill
not enter into any such undertaking. He
does not see the need of it at the present
time, and is quite content to remain a
democrat. OF course, it is easier to be a
democrat no than it as tao years ago,
but, even so, several million people will
agree with Mr.. Baruch that there is no
crying need of a third party, or if there is
any such need there is no probability that
it could be made to function successfully
This proposal which involves Mr. Ba-
ruch is only one of several along the same
line which have been recently put forth
Senator Borah he of the solemn mein and
caustic tongue, has lately more than
limited that if the republicans did not do
more to his liking he might start new
party or see that one was started.
Another hint has come from the So
called vets. 1t has been suggested that
in every section here one of the old par
ties could not be persuaded to espouse the
cause of national dampness a new party
dedicated to the task of resurrecting John
Barleycorn should be formed This
might not be such a bad idea, as it would
give a gathering ground for those who
think this is a proper political issue, and
would permit the two older parties to di-
vide over the real issues.
The probable success of any third party
is so slight as to offer no ground for hope
that the thing can be put across. The
most spectacular and most nearly success
full movement of this kind of recent years
was that headed by Theodore Roosevelt.
With all the impact of his remarkable per-
sonality, it did not win even temporary
victory and quickly faded out.
Political parties are not made, they are
born. Sometimes conditions arise out of
which parties spring into life and useful
ness. 1t takes more than the discomfort
of a small group, no ever, to give sufficient
impetus to such a movement to insure it
having any permanently There are many
perhaps millions, of people to-
day who are politically Disconnected
They find in neither party that which they
seem to feel as essential to our national
life. There is too great variety of discon-
tent, however, to give conference to polit-
zeal party based simply on the "anti''
feeling.
1t may be true, as so many say, that
there is no great difference between the
parties today. 1t may be true that they
are used simply as the means of getting
jobs and holding them. 1t may be true
that they are piddling over minor issues
and lodging the great matters which |
should be undertaken by them. If this is
all true, it is equally true that the malcon-
tents do not know much more definitely
what they want than do the leaders of the
present parties.
The fact is that we are passing through |
a period of nervousness. We cannot settle |
down to quiet thinking and orderly acting.
We are filled with namelass longing for
that we think we have not, and |
the result is that we have the fdgets. We
will probaly get over the trouble all right |
in time And in the meantime the process
of settling down will not be aided by com
plicating still more a rather unsatisfactory |
political situation.