The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-30
THE DEMOCRATIC PROGRAM

puDAlCAH 1CSOA0 10 eAO ASA@hSS~@SNS ~F peal. The Democratic platform is in the main a pledge to do the things the Re publicans have failed to do. While there is very little in the Democratic platform that is novel or new, there is very little that is not forward-looking. Good gov ernment never consists in trying novel; ties nor experiments not soundly based on tried principles. The processes of geometry, for example, proceed from the known to the related unknown, and no step is taken which does not rest on proof furnished by known facts. Sound government in like measure proceeds in the same sure and constructive manner. Each step is upon some solid founda- tion. In safe and sane government there is no swinging off into space and shut ting of eyes in the blind hope that there will be a safe landing. Good govern ment, like good business, progresses in accordance with safe principles. AL ways going forward, it knows at all times whither it is going, and can calculate the results in advance.
 Sound principles in government are like the paving of highway. They of- fer safety and at the same time permit of an acceleration in the rate of ad- vance. Good government is not neces- sarily slow government. Caution does not mean hesitation. Foresight does not connote timidity. On the contrary, government that is fortified by the at- tributes of caution and foresight in it's leadership is a government that is pro- gressive and which advances more rap idly and certainly more surely than those governments that are violently ex- perimental. With wisdom must be com bined courage, and with vision must be combined the practical capacity to achieve the vision. There are many who have vision but lack the ability to apply efficient means of accomplish ment. But in any party properly consti- tuted and led there are always numerous opponents of all the various attributes of government. Men thus gifted must be allowed to be the real leaders. More than that, there must be an irresistible demand that they shall be the leaders.
 It is believed that the American peo- pie have reached point where they are demanding that leadership, leadership far different from that evidenced by the present administration. A leadership, not of one man, nor of one idea, but leadership composed of strong men pos sessed of the qualities of statesmanship and practical sense indispensable to our general welfare. The Democratic plat form is distinctive in that it outlines Tn bold but general manner the principles of good government, with some special application of those principles to the is- sues and problems of the present day. Principles themselves are merely ab- stractions, rules which take on concrete significance only when they are applied to actual problems. Statesmanship de- notes the capacity to apply these prin- cipIes to the proper cases The Repub- licans have shown lamentable lack of such capacity. The Democrats offer the people their best opportunity to realize that type of leadership which our na- tional welfare desperately requires.
 Admirable as a platform may be, or plain as is the national course, neither of these avails if the official vision is beclouded or the official judgment warped by prejudice or by petty partisan consideration. Although it should not have to be specifically mentioned, per- sonal integrity must be a fundamental part of the character of those who rule an integrity that will not only compel a leader himself to refrain from wrong doing, but that will impel him sponta- neously and irresistibly to bring to pun ishment any officials guilty of wrong doing. There should never be permitted to exist unanswered any question as to any officials personal uprightness. Be- cause the Republican administration has conspicuously failed in these respects, it has properly forfeited the confidence of the American people. Fifty-one Repub- lican committees, inspired by party riv- airy, were unable, after the most care full inquiry, to discover one nisdeed to be laid to the door of a Democratic high official during eight years of govern ment. Three senate committees, com posed of Republican majorities, bent on concealing the facts, could not prevent the discovery of extensive misfeasance and malfeasance in three separate de- partments of government in only three years of Republican administration.
 The Democratic platform contains many .planks that would have no excuse for being there had it not been for Re- publican neglect and failure. How would the question of prohibition be a burning one, if the Republicans had en- forced the laws? Why should the cost of L Al