Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-26
NO RAINBOW. OF PROMISE

1t is q mere guess how many OF
the millions OF radio sets in this
country were tuned In on Senator
Pat" Harrison's keynote" address
/, before the National Democratic con-
I vention in New York. Neither 10 1t
movable how many of those listen
Ing really enjoyed his SANDER of our
national government
g" All might easily arrive at the con-
b cluslon that the Democratic party
has not changed In one respect. Its
convention attained its greatest en-
thusiasm when the sweating Pat"
became bitterest In his invective. It
has not changed since the days when
Democratic conventions cheered
abuse OF Abraham Lincoln, whom
they now compare with Woodrow
Wilson.
~ Then Lincoln and all associated
with him in administration were al
together vile; now 1t is Calvin Cool
, idse. Now. as then. the measure Of
peoples understanding may be taken
from what they applaud.
To make the keynote" OF a cam
paign against the Republican admin
tstration the charge of corruption,
when the word OF the chief investi-
gator. after seeking without limit,
after months Of listening to malicious
gossip without restraint, Is on record
to the effect: II believe that crook
edness In Washington is rare" is to
= credit people with little sense.
4. President Coolidge, IL he cared to
listen could have heard himself
described In effect as dumb bell"
and the convention at Cleveland a
"burlesque." II so. he doubtless
smiled. Presumably other intelli-
gent listeners tuned In and smiled.
as they do at stale jokes.
Yet those OF us who regard Ameri-
canism something to be cherished.
find 1t difficult to regard this black
suardism as a laughing matter. or
feel inspired when a great conven-
, ton Is swept off its feet by yammer-
Ing abuse OF party made up Of
thousands. of millions, with as great
n stake In the country's welfare as
b have the millions of the Democratic
party.
Members OF the Democratic and
Republican parties comprise the
great part of American citizens.
They know one another as associates
in business and community life: they
know that they neither are dishonest
-~mor tolerate dishonesty In public life:
they know that neither party is cap
able OF finding supermen or angelic
hosts as leaders: they ought to be
in better business than accusing de-
cent fellowmen as crooks and shout
ing themselves into raroxysms while
doing 1t. They would produce a
better impression on thinking minds,
they would inspire more of conf
dence in their capabilities and pur-
poses IL they refrained from doing
: this scardalous and very silly thing.
They did not refrain: they threw
restraint to the winds. Not only did
they abuse Republican administra-
ton but they are said to be accusing
one another after the manner Of
Ntculent fish-wives. The candidate
with the greatest following in that
convention is termed by the Demo-
cratic New York World as "Mr.
Doheny's lawyer" He II was, who
with little in the way of legal attain
nnent exacted tremendous fees from
-frose wishing special favors from
fhe Government with which he was
recently associated and about which
he was supposed TO have had inside
knowledge and influence. Then as
to another candidate, John w. Davis
OF West Virginia. he is being accused
as the tool of Wall Street and Of the
Standard Oil: Governor Smith of
being wet; MIR. Ralston rs the pet
of the Indiana Ku klux, and SO IL
goes along the line.
. And at the very moment the great
national Democratic convention was
arenziedly applauding Harrison's
charge of corruption and incompe-
sency. his promises Of immaculate
Performance II the country would
but choose Democratic administra.
lion. the minds of those delegates
were seeking. as did Diogenes with
his lantern. for an honest man to
alead--and with apparently ~ futile
result.
OF course there. are honorable,
able Democrats. who would make
worthy executives. McAdoo In GER
tainly open to severe criticism. The
record he has made and is now
making 10 not such as to inspire
scnndence. But this may not be aid
81 Davis. or OF Rslston or Of certain
eSeer conspicuoua Democrats. Their
= = xaaZ nay not eoinaida With