, 1923-01-08
Standing by the Lap

THE people. should feel cratified at
the complete failure of recent attempts to
thwart enforcement of federal laws by bringing
impeachment proceedings against Attorney Gener.
al Daugherty. They ought not to be slow in or.
pressing their qualification in a way that will give
substantial encouragement to that official in the
courageous stand he has taken against the enemies
OF the government. IF the government is to oh.
tain the best results from its constant effort tn
uphold the constitution and the law, it must be ac.
corded the active support of all those who desire
to see the radical menace suppressed.
The destroyers of confidence in government are
increasingly active. By the loudness of their voices
they deceive the country as to their number. Their
constant repetition of baseless and discredited
charges finally creates a conviction that there NAV
be some measure of truth in their assertions. This
is particularly true If the opponents of law and
order remain silent.
When his accusers had taken flight. after max.
ing their charges and failing in their proof, Mr..
Daugherty was left without a possibility of that
full hearing and conclusive decision to which he
was entitled. His enemies, realizing that they had
completely fallen down, took refuge in the cry that
there would be a "whitewash." Thus the original
attack upon the department of justice has been
Fwldened to an attack upon congress, and still the
AccuserS remain In hiding.
Fortunately there are somo with the courage to
take up the fight for a fair deal and for a defense
of orderly American government. The Philadel-
phia board of trade, has unanimously adopted res
%olutions which undoubtedly voice tho opinions OF
good citizens everywhere. Widespread action Of
that sort would go far to counteract the evil work
of the proponents of discomfort. The resolutions
read as follows:
"Whereas, the Philadelphia Board of Trade
views with deep concern and alarm the evidence Of
social and business unrest throughout the country
and
"whereas, the board is convinced that the recent
charges made against the Honorable Harry NJ.
Daugherty, attorney general, and rompted by pc.
litical antagonism and in no way justified by his
action and conduct as an officer of the government
and through influences which, if unchecked, aim
at the very life of the country, and
Whereas, the board in common with the best
thought of our people believes in the maintenance
Of the supremacy Of law and the overthrow of those
destructive forces which oppose the orderly pro
ceases of the law; and
Whereas, it is believed the time has come when
the business interests of the country should In
every way uphold the hands Of the president and
his cabinet against influences 80 dangerous to the
Republic; therefore,
"Resolved, that the Philadelphia Board of Trade
endorses the attitude Of Honorable Harry NJ
Daugherty, attorney general, in his efforts to Sc
cure under the law the protection of life and prop
erty against the lawless combinations which threat
en- and, if not checked, mean ultimately the over
throw of a government that has so far proven that
those statesmen of earlier years builded wiser than
they knew in shaping a constitutional government
which now, more than ever, deserves and demands
the loyal support of a united people"