The Washington times., 1922-05-28
Bv JOSEPHUS DANIELS.
(Secretqry of the Navy In Wilson Cabinet)
with Democratic Victory i'm November BE Helpful i'm Winning h
Presidency the Reverse7 Veteran Republican and Democra
Members of Congress Think People No Longer Vote for COnVc
tons But Only Secure Change Keep UP with tine Fashion,

dissatisfaction and promise the big
gest change. II you don't carry
the House, youth certainly win in
November, 1924. But you can't
help carrying It. for the people are
going to give US a drubbing like
they gave II to the Democrats in
1920 and for the same reason. The
people are as bent on new styles
Of government as women are on
new styles of clothes. I'm afraid
the styles this winter and for
several winters are to be shorter
and shorter for us and our legs
and arms are both decreed to be
naked in the cold blasts Of de-
feat"
AGREED, WITH RESERVATION.
My Democratic friend agreed
perfectly with the conclusion
reached. though he said he must
lodge-(or is 1t Lodge?l-a reserva-
tion-tevery Congressman feels he
Is out OF style unless he makes a
'reservation-it is all the style now
and helps him to hedget-as to
some of the statements OF his
Republican colleague.
have set down almost literally
las literally as could recall II,
for, Of course, I took no Notes.-The
conversation. 1t was a dispiriting
and disappointing experience. Here
were two men Of ability and of
high standing in the two parties
who have lost the gleam of faith
and hope in better things. They do
not have the confidence that car
ried them into public life Ger
tainly. enough has happened to
cause all at times to distrust the
popular verdict. But. II the popu-
lar verdict. now that the pas
sions which war inspires have
passed, cannot be trusted in the
long run. what hope IL there for
a republio7
ADRIFT WITHOUT RUDDER.
As passed out OF the Legislative
atmosphere and walked down the
avenue toward the Washington
Monument was not quite sure
whether I ought to be most sorry
for the disiliusioned and pessimis-
tic Congressman or for the country
careerins on the ocean without
chart or rudder.
One reflection remained with met
That a party that is afraid Of IT.
self In not fit to be trusted with
power. That a Democratic Congress
man who fears victory shows he
does not deserve It Fortunately.
though the opinions I have set
down prevail too largely In lesis-
lative circles, there are clear
visioned men of faith who are not
troubled by fears and doubts and
pessimism
wOBBLING RESPONSIBLE.
The Democratic leaders, in the
main, earnestly desire an oppor-
tunity to write their policies into
legislation and submit them with
confidence to the electorate. They
know much Of the seeming wob-
bling on the part Of voters is due
to the wobbling of Legislators and
executives. What the people wish
is q clear cut policy of progress and
performance, an end OF scuttling
and drifting. They arc ready to
give the reins to the party which
presents the program Of oonstruo-
ton and equity.
II there is any Democrat in
Congress who is afraid his party
would be unequal to framing a
wise policy. such Democrat there
by announces that the time has
come for his retirement 30 that
leadership of wisdom and faith
may direct the party councils.
This is no day for the faithless.
Robust believers In themselves
and their cause can alone lead out
of the wilderness.