Evening journal., 1922-12-30
Go FOr1Uuyd in the Faith
(From the National Republican,.


simism. This pessimism is bred b.
demagogues lusting for power, an
by spokesmen for selfish interest
restive under burdens. the inevita
BILE aftermath of war which thes
interests seek to throw off. The re
dictionary agitators proceed in seem
ing ignorance of the fact that as tn,
result of the unrest they are help
ing to stir up through attacks OF
government. they are likely to b,
relieved not only OF their burdens
but of all their possessions.
The greatest contribution It wouIl
be possible for patriotic men anc
women to make TO their country,
welfare during the next year would
be to get the American people ou
OF the political and economic dumps
and arouse In them a full realization
and active appreciation of theil
blessings and their opportunities.
Never before did there beat
against the foundations of our gov
( ernmental structure so high and
strong a tide OF popular unrest. The
causes OF this unrest are as many
as the waves that rise on the sur
face of a storm tossed sea. Many
of them have little or no real rela-
ton TO government; many are the
consequences Of policies and pro-
grams It is no longer possible "a
| change because they are OF the past.
Many Of those now deeply dissatie-
! fed have views as to the causes and
remedies of evils real and imagined
that are in direct conflict with the
views of as many other malcontents;
the only point OF agreement is a
unity in assault upon the existing
order which, II long continued in its
present vigor and venom. will
threaten the stability of government
and OF society.
No demagogue who Is trying to do
business today believes he has lived
up TO his opportunities unless he has
painted as black a picture as posi-
BILE of existing conditions. Like the
quack medicine vendor operating
under a gasoline torch at the village
street corner, he must make people
believe that they feel an the dread
symptoms OF the diseased for which
he offers a sure remedy at so much
per bottle. The chief crime of the
demagogue against popular govern
ment Is that he constantly seeks to
inject into the veins of the people
the envemoned virus OF pessimism.
Since the days of the Greek democ-
racy the demagogue has taught the
black gospel that whatever Is, is
wrong. that government is an en-
gine of oppression operated by cor
rupt officials for the exploitation of
the people. that he, the demagogue,
is the only honest man in public life
and that the only hope of improve
ment is the promotion OF himself to
some place OF power.
The political adventurer, however,
is not the only preacher of pessinnlsm
in public affairs. The thoughtless
citizen who may have no political
purpose in view. but who, with all
the blessings and opportunities OF
free institutions. feels the pinch of
governmental regulation. reetric-
ton or taxation somewhere, is often
all too ready TO join his voice to
that OF the very agitator who will, :
when opportunity comes, infinitely
multiply the exactions of govern
ment. The conservative citizen who
does not like prohibition and probs-
bly, did nothing TO prevent the adop-
tion Of the constitutional amend
ment which has made it a fixed gov
ernmeptal policy. cries out against |
the federal instrumentalities which /
enforce the law. The substantial /
-.
ioyed and profited by the war willis
Il was on. now shrieks against gov
srnment because the war debts must
be paid through the levying OF taxes
on the only source from which taxes
,an come, namely, private property.
The importing interests cut off
trom their opportunity for iDord-
mate profit by a protective tariff
measure, spread the doctrine that
The new tariff law was framed in
he interests of the rich for the pur-
pose OF robbing the poor. The in
banker and the senti-
mental internationalist accuse the
national government of the most
sordid motives IN refusing to In
7olve the United States in the po-
itical and financial bankruptcy of
Europe. From these and a hundred
,ther sources come the constant out
Try against Congress, against the
President, and against the govern
nent, all based upon the selfish in
erests OF those making these ap-
,eals to the hatred and prejudice
" the people in a republic where
,ublic opinion rules. All of this out
~ Is either purposely or ignorantly
.dding to the general dissatisfac-
ion and unrest which. since the
var, has been easily aroused every
ghere in the world and which in
ONE parts of the world has over
brown government and public or
er and visited untold miseries upon ,
he masses OF the people.
All of these interests unite In
elling the people that they are in
desperate plight. They tell the
eople not only of the trouble they ,
re in now, but of the horrible I
hings that are going to happen to ,
hem unless revolutionary changes /
re quickly effected. They magnify
he abuses and evils and expressions
( the time until they are viewed
nth distorted vision by millions. !
hey tell the farmer that he is I
broke" and about to starve to death Z
{ a time when mortgage foreclos- I
res on farms are vastly fewer than I
hey have been at other periods in '
ur history, and when farm land s
annot be bought in sections of the c
ountry where land is normally pro- {
uctive at twice the prices per acre I
REVEALING during the Cleveland 4
anic OF a quarter century ago-a q
IL a-,r.. 1911 ahn ..n., A...r ..ar.,-L I.