Evening star., 1923-09-02
BY THOMAS n. MARSHALL,
Former Vice President of the United
states.

Former Vice President of the United
states.
Years ago when I dwelt contented-
ly on Main street there came to our
town troupe" of theatrical per-
formers The little hall which we
designated by the euphonious term
Opera House." although not a soul
in town would have recognized an
opera IL one had been presented, was
used by these players to stir up our
emotions with lurid melodrama.
One scene in which a section gang
appeared still clings in my memory.
Even now l can visualize the awe of
the iaborers as one of them ex-
claimed to the foreman. MY. what a
great man the boss isl The years
have come and gone since then and
that little scene has come to my mind
TO represent the attitude of the pub
lie toward the President of the
United States. Perhaps il would be
truer to Say that Americans gaze
with awe upon a new President on
his inauguration day and regard him
for some days thereafter as a super
man, then begin to question and
doubt and before long openly or
covertly desire a new boss
We believe we have a better form
of government than that Of the Brit
ish Isles And, theoretically. we do
have a. better form of government.
but what Of its practical workings?
Across the seas they are supposed to
nave a king. He is SO nominated in
the bond. But for all practical purposes
ne might just as well be a draper's
model used to show the various wavs
III which gold and lace may be nut
upon a uniform. Here in America
on the other hand. 10000. 900 people,
Snuer the suise of representative
democracy, are content with their
freSident only Wien he exercises the
powers or czar. and not then unless
ne exercises those powers to the sat
isiaCtioh OF group and class.
Inc prescribed period for another
presidehtlal election is coming around.
Already statements Of policy TO he
pursued IF | become President" are
appearing Men who hope to be. ex-
rect to be Or would like to be presi-
dent Of the United States. are an
hounc!ng what they will do after they
get the office. And the country is
giving serious consideration to the
proposed policies. What else are we
10 conclude than that the people Of
america arc trying 10 make up their
minds as to who should be dictator
OF their destiny during the next
presioential term, trying to deduct
from what candidates. active and re-
ceptiVe, are saying about their poli-
hE. a
dictator.
Amid the noise and confusion may
/. as one who does not hope to be. cx-
pect to be or desire to be President.
to be the duty of the Chief Executive
or the United States? And may |
state at the outset that people,
| having right to expect their Presf-
dent TO discharge his duty. ought to
be satisfied with nothing less and
should require nothing more
y :.
This question is rapidly crystalliz-
ing: Have we or have we not a con-
stitutional form of government? ?"
The question is not whether our con-
stitutional government meets the
wishes and serves the purposes of
the people. There is Il way in which
.lhe ChdFtef ol our government may
be amended to meet the desire of the
majority. But any change i'm the
, form of government should be
wrought b! the sober second thought
of the people, not by dictation or
usurpation or intimidation on the
Fart OF the President OF the United
States. l am. myself. by birth and
education believer in the old and
settled form of government | know
no. wrong under it that cannot be
corrected under our Constitution by
education or legislation. Something
far worse than ! yet see will have to
arise before / can be induced to give