The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-10
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government in constant danger Of
topping over. We shall prevent
State boundaries from becoming
mere vanishing traces on me
map, and avoid the dangers Of
disaster which have besat many
nations smaller and with prob
lens less complex than our own
In every era conditions and
facts Of SURPRISING importance
must be recognized which stand
out like headlands in the la ID
soape. Today the most important
conditions are those created by
the war or emphasized by il.
That terrible CONFUSION left the
world disjointed in all its activi.
ties-social, political, and econom.
ic. War always has q. brutalizit.g
effect, and this great struggle.
along with a most splendid exhj-
bition Of heroism, brought into
play sordid motives, the deporali.
Zation from which has cast
shadows which will rest on the
world for years to come. Again
we are in the midst of an uu.
paralleled material development
which, beneficial as it is, threat
ems a lowering of moral aud
spiritual standards, the true gran
deur Of nations.
This is an age of whirlwind speed,
of luxury, and the pursuit of
pleasure. New inventions and
fresh diversions chain attention
every hour. In an atmosphere of
excitement and hurry there is
danger of lack of clearness of
vision and fairness in judgment
on most important issues of the
day. Indifference in the perform
ance of public duties rests like a
blight upon the body polite. In
nothing is the effect of existing
conditions more manifest than in
disregard Of the political obliga-
lions of the citizen. The proper
ton of electors who take an
active interest, especially in pre-
liminary contests, was never so
small. When sucn indifference
exists unwholesome forces poison
our public life. A well-organized
minority is often more powerful
than that inert mass of citizens
whose patriotism is only aroused
in times of grave emergency. To
these causes are traceable the
formation Of blocs and the vehe-
ment assertion Of individual or
sectional interests. Swarms of
lobbyists infest every capital seek
ing the promotion Of some special
interest with callous disregard of
that paramount benefit, the gen.
eral welfare. Not merely by yelled
threats, but with brutal demands
they threaten candidates and
political parties with defeat unless
their wishes are complied with.
These demands are so persistent
that refusal arouses opposition
against the administration or
strongest force in political con-
who have responsibility in shap-
ing government policies, though
the "outs," or those in opposition,
would be compelled to take the
same unyielding stand If they
were intrusted with authority. 1t
is easier to criticize than to con.
struct: far easier to promise than
to perform. The propaganda is
everywhere - would that their
numbers might diminish--and so
partisan Is he that arguments
favorable to his cause are eager.
~ accepted as heavenborn injunc.
tons, while opposing arguments
are treated SIS emanations from
the depraved. Under the cloak of
patriotism irrational agitation
based upon hypocrisy or ignor-
ance sometimes displaces reason
and truth.
ooh that there might 'mongst
Propagandists be
A duty Of hypocrisy,
A tax on humbug,
An impost on dreary platitudes,
A stamp athwart the mouth
OF everyone that ranted."
Never more than now have
there been such insistent demands
for special advantages, privileges
of every nature, bonuses, pen.
sions, increased salaries-some of
which are we'll deserved-new bu-
reaus with troops of officials, and
relief measures, as they are
called. All these are based upon
the erroneous idea that our Gov.
eminent Is a paternalistic institu.
ton doing out favors without