Milford chronicle., 1924-07-04

ANYBODY WHO WITNESSED the impressive
spectacle of sectional and partisan favoritism
for candidates during the first week of the Dem
ocratic convention will attest to the fact that
politics is still popular American sport. Mil
lions of words telling in detail of the scene with
in Madison Square Garden have been sent out
by the newspapers and the radio has brought
the story direct to thousands of "1isteners-in."
A coldblooded analyst, unimpressed by the CLAM
our of this quadriennial out-pouring of militant
Democracy, would say that the keynote of the
whole affair is nothing more than stark emo
tionalism One thing is certain and that is the
predominance of the human element in the dis
cussion of the leadership and policies of the
Democratic party.
The necessities of a nationwide distribution
force the writing of this account of the conven-
tion several hours before the assembly has Sc
lected a standard-bearer. 1t is said that the
platform as finally placed before the convention
is not the most ideal set of declarations conceiv-
able but the best possible under the circum-
stances. No doubt it would have been better
for the Democrats to adopt more makeshift
affair but the exgences of the political situation
left them little choice The initial sessions of the
convention were intensely interesting as it af- .
pleasing frequency. Boredom was banished |
from the standpoint Of popularity, the Cleve-
land convention of the Republican party suffer-
ed in comparison. The absence Of excitement
at Cleveland may be attributed to the fact that
Mr. Coolidge had no competition and the pub
lie generally is not much absorbed in the vice
presidency. In support of this statement, it is
said bv eminent authorities that few citizens
of 1rioa
with the exception of those who have succeeded
to the chief magistracy Of the nation
Whether anybody gained in the intensity of
feeling developed during the week by the man
ifestations of sentiment regarding religious toll
erance and intolerance is a subject that will fur
nish material for debate from now until No
vember. It was emotionalism of the highest de-
gree because it revived an age-old conflict of
opinion. That the discussion of this matter in
the highways and byways of the nation will ex-
ercse corroding effect on party systems Is d
conclusion inescapable to those who have eyes {
and ears.
Questions of this kind are not evanescent for {
The history of the two major polltlcaI partles
shows unite clearly that the rift is usually diff
icult to bridge. The play to mans passions is
not the hest form of politics fair play but it
S often effective. Inc hepuOAlO"h PNi'1 Ai''' "
iificult problem on it's hands in lining up the c
conservative and liberals but the Democrats are e
low faced with a difficulty equally, if not more t
complicated. The leaders of both parties have il
10 enviable task as they must conduct mission C
ry work within and without their party to 1
chieve a triumph this fall c
Not the least among the outcroppings at the n
invention was the answering devotion OF V
undreds of delegates to the ideals of the late C
Toodro,v wilson. An eyewitness to the demon fl
fro+ions could never question the deep and al
tidi,,,, offocfion of Democrats of the present tt
az, for the former President Their determi-
,fon to bring an international plank before the la
,,,r+r was inspired by the spirit of faithful ra
,ss - . cbieftain who has gone before leaving hi
I,oritage tn his followers. Undaunted by the is