The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-03-26
GIBBS INDICTS u. S. SENATE
ASBACKWARD-LOOKING BODY
Epitomizes Timidity of American Leadership
He Says-People Ready to Follow
Fearless Captains to Heights

exceptions. are not representative
of the best quality in the nation.
socially. intellectually. or in spir-
itual characters. but are profess
sional politicians who think more
of their careers than of national
Needs and duties. =
English People Have Advantage.
In England the mass of people
have this advantage over the
American people. that they can
overturn a government more rap
idly and easily in spite of the power
of the machine. No prime minister
In England can last long IL his
government is out of touch with
public opinion and both the House
of Commons and the hereditary
House OF Lords is composed of men
who are closely representative OF
contemporary ideas and interests,
because of their position in national
life.
In the United States the Pres
ident Is limited in his leadership
by the measure in which the Senate
will support him, and must lag be-
hind his most advanced convictions
and his most brilliant councillors
IL he is not sure of that support.
That is what I have been told by
many pen and women of high In
tellectual standing, and i suppose
there is something in 1t. One must
qualify that indictment Of the
American system of political gov
ernance by the admission which l
think must be made regarding all
national governance at the present
time. We, in all nations, need a
leader who will have the courage
and quality of soul to take his
stand solely upon the support Of
the people to call to them, above the
noise and traffic of the political
arena. careless of political conse-
quences, reckless OF political. or
even physical death, so long as he
| uphclds the truth and follows the
light. ! believe the people. in spite
of political passions and human ig-
norance. are ready to follow such a
lead today and to force any politi-
cal body to keep pace with their
enthusiasm. by their immense pres
sure OF support for a man who
dares 20 lead, who dares to tell
the truth. who does not care for
office. for power, or for popular
ity itself. but is strong in his un-
selfish devotion to a noble purpose.
We are all ready for such a man
but he does not come or-perhaps
we fail to see him in our midst
Is men failed to see Christ.
Hears Diatribes Against Order.
I have listened since my visit to
the United States to more severe
denunciations OF political and So
cisl morality than I should care to
repeat. There Is no Justice In this
country" said one man. Can that
idea before you go home"
Business honor has deteriorated
until it has disappeared" said an.
other man. "Frivolity. immortality
dishonesty. crime. are overwhelm-
ing the old simple virtues OF the
American people" said an American
with whom sat only a few minutes
before writing this article. I should
be a liar IL 1 pretended that I saw
nothing but virtue in the United
States. nothing but high and noble
impulses, nothing but a glorious
type of civilization.
We are living in a time OF transit
ton ir which :he ship OF humanity
| itself has broken loose from its moor
ings There Is a restlessness worrying
in the hearts of men and women. We
are all under the spell of stirring
Impulses, OF some big natural sub
conscious disturbance which Is pre-
pairing for the evolution Of something
new that we cannot forsee or under
stand. In nations and in individuals
the war and tides of thought which
made the war possible. have broken
down old securities, conventions, laws
and contentments. Youth Is touched
by the spirit of revolt. Old age it.
self Is uncertain of its certainties
Is. like youth, full OF doubt. uneasy.
not sure OF the future. 1t Is 1.-The
dangerous age" of the world itself
The people OF the United States,
therefore. are not immune from this
general disease, from its fevers and
heart-breakinGs and insanities. But
l believe that the American people
are in the great mass healthy and
level-headed. and kind. and honest.
which are the virtues most needed
by any people. and the stuff out OF
which leadership can make all its
wants. 1t is leadership which lags
behind the mass mind in the world
today in all countries. I am passion
ately against those pessimists who
despair Of their own people. They
are only waiting for the call, and
viii follow any man who scales the
heights without timidity in his own
zeal.
(Copvrj~ht fooo