Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1926-12-30

4
that power very benevolently. From
my observations, don't think there
was ever any man born good enough
or wise enough to use great deal of
power for any length of time bene-
ficially for the rest of the people.
''Some one has said that He who
through the channel of law carries
out the will of the people is great.
In democracy or republic, in my
opinion, that is the only way man
can be of service.
81 have no sympathy with the say
ing The times need strong man.
That implies dictator, superman.
I have no sympathy with the idea of
dedication of the Judiciary and execu-
tive and the concentration of power
in their hands with attacks on the
legislative. That is the forerunner of
a dictator, the course invariably pur-
sued in Europe in advance of his ar
rival"
With this general category of an
tipathies outlined, Mr.. Shipstead
turned to discussion of his ideal.
Lincoln Welcomed Criticism.
81 have been very much impressed
with the various biographies of Lin
coln," continued the Minnesota SEN
ator, very gravely and deliberately.
Lincoln did not seem to be impressed
with the idea he was superman.
For instance, he kept in his Cabinet
and as his advisers great many
cyclists who made his life very mis-
cradle through their criticism and
personal treatment of him. But he
kept them because they had certain
qualities, were able in certain direc-
tions and valuable in his work of
running the Government, showing he
was great enough not to permit his
personal comfort or his own vanity to
overshadow what he considered his
duty to the nation.
eff Lincoln had been a small man
he would not have tolerated criticism
surrounded himself with advisers who
did not hesitate to be offensive to him.
He was in position where he could
have simply issued orders to men who
would have followed and been sub
servient to him, who would have been
efficient and agreeable bellboys. Lin
coin evidently believed you couldn't
run the. business of a great nation
with bellboys, and in this thorough
ly agree with him."
A brief bordering in the glow of
the Lincoln vision conjured, up, and
then turning to a consideration of
opposites, whether individuals or
groups.
"The man who concentrates every
thing in himself is not great man."
continued Shipstead. "He cannot be.
In the old days when we had kings it
was held for time that he was in
fallible. His will was law and every
one must obey. Finally it was discov-
cred, through bitter experience, that
the king did not have an infallible
conscience, so the people got rid of
him.
Sees Danger I'm 'Infallfble" Party.
But, having a fixed idea of bow
ing down to someone, and as it was
easier to do that, we substituted for
a king with an infallible conscience
that can do no wrong, a party with
an infallible conscience that can do
no wrong. And so we continue to bow
and to obey. l think one of the most
dangerous six points of view or states
of mind that can be held by people
is the idea that they should send
representatives to Washington who
will give implicit obedience to parti-
san interests or demands. 1t means
subservience."
| Such is the declaration of faith by
Henrik Shipstead, who, according to
, the picture daily drawn, caucuses
by himself, and will hold the balance
of power in the Senate as constituted
next December or even earlier If an
extra session should be called.
| Yet there are those who feel he will
affiliate" with the Republican party
more often than with the Democratic
Mr.. Shipstead doesn't like the word
belong" even as applied to his ear
lier connections with the Republican
party. He also realizes as the veriest
hokum the expression sedulously
spread abroad that he is the sole
Senator who can tilt the scales in
any direction on legislation, as also
that the one unique position held is
on the question of organizing the
Senate when it convenes; and, even
there, as already said, Vice President
Dawes would be the real Daniel came
to Judgment if the present election
results are certified in full by the
Senate and if Shipstead were to join
the Democrats in united effort to
prevent organization. Yet there are
times when he may have to take the
position of umpire This he also
clearly recognizes, and for this his
preference is all the more in favor
of affiliate as against belong"
!. Born in Minnesota nearly forty-six
years ago, Shipstead grew UP in an at.
mosphere of political revolt. Mime
! Isota used to be one of the stronges'
Republican states in the Union, but
| 0ee nf f,.ia f no r