Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1924-09-26
Democratic Success Only Bar To
Future Third Party.

AtAtO AhftO FuTby.
In a long and thoughtful editorial enti-
tied, How To Head OF A Third Party"
the New York Times analyses the present
political situation, discusses the signifi-
canoe Of the attempt Of the La Toilette group
to control government by blocking it. and
urges the election Of John w. Davis as
the safe course to prosressiveness without
the risk of paralysis The New York Times
is an independent journal of conservative
views and in general is not unfriendly to
the Republican party. This editorial is
taken to reflect the opinions of a good
many Independents and Republicans for
whom the Times often speaks.
After reminding its readers in effect that
the spread of the La Toilette movement
is likely to be more rapid and disturbing
following the presidential election, the
Times says
"They (La Toilette and his followers) do
not expect to win this years election. The
utmost they hope for is to prevent any
body from getting majority in the Elec-
toral College. But afterward, should the
esultine confusion and the crystallizing
NJ discontents into votes warrant the for
on of Third Party, one will be formed
at constitutes a political peril still dis
ant but visibly threatening"
The outcome of this movement, the
Times believes, would be division among
our citizens. not according to sectional
lines or political principles, but according
to the supposed interest of single body
among our citizenship" There would be
the danger also. as the Times sees it, that
either the Republican party or the Demo-
cratic party would be tempted or terror
lied into merger with the new group,
thus repeating in the United States the re-
cent and current history of political parties
in England.
What can be done to prevent III" the
Times inquiries. and declares that, What
ever Is to be done must be done quickly.
Il Is thing which must be taken in hand
before the coming presidential election. For
II Is obvious that its result will powerfully
and perhaps decisively affect the political
situation and the alignment Of parties for
years to come. With this in mind. how
shall independent voters. accustomed to
swear by no political masters, cast their
ballots next November The question
comes down to this will the success of the
Republican party, or that of the Democratic
party, tend more to weaken and break up
the weight of the Third Party movement
In our opinion. the weight of this particu-
lar argument is in favor of the Democratic
party"
The editorial points out that the Re-
publican party has come to stand in the
public mind as the party predominantly
Of the well-to-do Of conservatives who
dread all change. Of people who live in
constant fear that their property rights
may be impaired and their special privi-
leges cut down" and that the return of
that party to power would promptly in
flame the resentment and feed the agita-
tons upon which the Third Party will be
built, If at ALL"
IF the Democratic party wins, says the
Times, the case will be plainly different.
By tradition and inheritance. that party
numbers within its ranks many more than
the Republicans can pretend to of those
representing every kind Of political material
which Senator La Toilette hopes to draw
to his support. II these men and women
see the Democratic party successful in the
election. they will cling to it and work
through it. They will seek in that party
agency means by which workingmen
can be more represented in the Govern
ment without endeavoring to absorb the
whole Of il. Say what we will, the long
history of the Democratic party has been
marked by constant attempt to give due
expression to the aspirations of the great
masses Of the people. = 1t is a fair
inference, therefore. that the Democratic
party triumphing in the presidential election
would have much better chance than its
rival to avert or greatly weaken disrupt.
ing and demoralizine third party move
ment"
The editorial declares that: THE ques-
ton is one for patriotic citizens. be they
Republicans or Democrats. to consider
conscientiously for themselves"
These citizens can not shut their eyes
to the fact that THE Democrats have taken
for their leader this year a man of un-
blemished character and unusual capacity"
says the Times. IF he is chosen President
and has united and eager party at his
command. 1t will 60 hard but he will be
able to head of any large movement of
the dissatisfied. On the other side. there
is at least a strong likelihood that Re-
publican victory would be followed by an
extravagant and dangerous political adj
tation such as we have never seen in the
United States"