New Britain herald., 1925-07-11
DEBATES AS AN AID TO DEMOCRACY.

Governor Al Smith and former Governor Nathan L. Miller of New York gave very neat exhibition of Ahe amenities when they staged a debate over state finances at Carne- gie hall, with former Secretary of State Charles E. Hughes presiding as the "referee." Such a face-to-face disputation Of the issues of the day was commendable, and one cannot l help wishing the practice were more frequently followed in political cam paigns as well as when more pro- saic financial problems agitate the | public mind.
 There were times in American politics when the leaders of parties or leading opponents of their prin- ciples were not afraid to stand up on the same platform and have it out in verbal combat. Abraham Lincoln, fired hy the justice of the anti-slavery cause, did not lack the courage to face Douglas, regarded as the foremost debatcr of the day. Numerous other instances of impor- tant debates might be ChronicIed; but they gradually got out of etyle since the close of the Civil War.
 The reason for the decadcncc of political debates is not far to seek; . Numerous political leaders, tails 10 the party kite lacked confidence in themselves whom on the same plat form with opposing experts; and they We're im2Ucd with the notion they could not afford to lose There was also the hnnot that some poIiti- cal principlss were better left 10 rest without undue discussion and ana)y- sis. Some ci -v.r |. batter m,&h' mock the props from under cherished it. lusiona, and tnu; NouI br too lad. Consequently 1t became the policy of political m1nae IS to avoid debates as much ae possible. It was found much safer t0 shout patndrs and trust to the p>ychoIogicaI strength of reiteration 10 turn them into ac- cepted beliets Also, there was the possibility of one side overwhelming the other with quantity Of argument rather than quality; the machinery for reaching the people in most states Of the Union seemed to stIm- ulate this type Of one-sjlrd rr,s.n- tation.
 In most of fine northern #o'.o The people read and listen 10 a prapou- deranco Of G. e. r. 1@rriur, in t1- southern s'at.+ they r#l1 and listen to similar ra'Io of mraorrauc doctrine lt i, no 5m.a vaaD. tdH political s.nlm"ut fuHu1,". ro slightly in many -c'wnt of 'He country.
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