Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-06-05
A PARTY's RESPONSIBILITY.

The Independent a national magazine notable
for freedom OF utterances carries in recent IT,
sue editorial which is worthy of reproduction
favorable political party. but it indicates
course OF action that all parties need to follow
Because of its significance in New Mexico, the Jour
nal is reprinting it in full:
THE times are out of joint when independent
paper feels called upon to urge its readers to give
vigorous support not TO an individual nor TO a par
ticular measure, but to political party
yet the present time calls for just this. 1t is
easy to find serious faults in the republican party.
Congress especially has fallen far short of expec-
tations But in spite of its faults, the republican
party is the present time the one strong buWark
against certain disastrous tendencies the world over
There are weak and irresponsible men, and there
are strong and stable men, in both parties; but the
democratic party at present led, contains the
seeds of rash experiment and emotional unrest. The
same cannot be said Of the leadership of the repuo-
lican party. Take the administrators stand on the
most important question Of the hour-the recon
struction of Europe. To hold out for principle,
when to compromise might in the long run under
mine the fabric of democracy everywhere, we regard
as wholly admirable; it conforms to the highest
standards of American craftsmanship and deserves
the most effective support that journal can give.
Popular government is trial among all ma
tons and America is the recognized leader in dem
ocratic institutions If system of individualism-
of wholesome competition within the LAWS per-
mitted TO break down; il the present epidemic of
peckng at social traditions-no doubt reflex
OF the Russian experiments not checked, democ-
racy will receive tremendous setback. Now, the
republican party s the present guardian of democ-
racy both because it is in the saddle and because 1t
is opposed-much more than is the democratic party
as now constitued-to any trifling with the funda-
mentas of the existing social order If the republic
can party should now be discredited, the drift
wards government ownership and other socialistia
experiments would be greatly accelerated and there
would be but slight chance OF getting back to the
sort of economic stability to which this country owes
its traditional prosperity and character.
THE election of democratic majority in the
next congress would have another consequence per
haps even more serious 1t would paralyze the adj
ninstration in its dealing with the world questions
which are today of overshadowing importance. The
paralysis caused by want of harmony between con-
gress and the executive is an acknowledged weak
ness of our constitutional system. In ordinary times
this is endurabe 1t is part of the price we pay fol
the benefits of scheme of checks and balances
But at such time this, when the influence o
our country is vital element in weathering world
wide crisis, the parayzing OF our government Woul'
be calamity.
I'VE are not advising our readers to support un
fit candidates but do urge them to spur the lead
ers of the republican party to their best effort
in putting for election next autumn the sronges
candidates that be found. To learn bite
lesson at the polls would be disastrous not only
the party but, as believe, to the world at large
Fortunately, many republican leaders are fun
conscious of the heavy responsibility which rest
with them But they need generous, public-spirite
help Their hands bound unless high minded
capable citizens will consent TO run for office II tn
chance is offered them. Congress is made the sub
ject of mere stand off criticism by the very person
who should themselves aspire to membership in tina
body.
During the war every realized the serious
ness of the personal obligation to do his share i
seeing the country through Now that peace-of
SORTS earth the tendency is TO let politics tax
care of itself. Yet the situation today in this coun
try as in the rest of the world is in the highest de
gree critical. Through the republican party, NOR
than through any other agency, the nation mus
work for recovery
ITO purify and to strengthen the partys influ
ence is the most effective way at this moment
give the right direction to Americas influence upo
the democracy and progress of the world"