The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1928-06-08
The Democrats Feel Better.
New York World. }


As the time for the nominating conventions
draws nearer the two parties show curious re-
versal of form. Among the Republicans there is
increasing doubt and confusion of purpose Among
the Democrats there is increasing unity and con-
hdenee For the first time in many years it is the
Republicans who are worried and it is the Demo-
Gratis who hopeful
At bottom what makes the Democrats feel so
good is that at last they feel right with them
selves. They have reached a decision which
they know is the right decision. They have con-
quered the doubt and confusion in their own
minds as to whether they dared to nominate Gov
Smith. That is the most important decision
taken by the Democratic Party in fifty years
For Gov. Smith does not merely talk about the
principles which are the heart OF the Jefferson
ian tradition. He embodies them. And in de-
Gliding to nominate him the Democrats are de-
claring in the most concrete way that their
great tradition is genuinely alive
1t is decision of this sort which saves men 8
sAAks The Democratic Party has saved its soul
fVtr years ago it trembled and quvered and
quaked at the proposal to denounce the Ku Klux
kian by name. Today it is choosing as its leader
the man who above all others has drawn to him
self the venomous hatred of the Khan That is
great thing to do and the thrill of confidence
which is prevailing the party is the sign that the
democrats are at peace with themselves. They
nave met and faced and triumphed over the most
dangerous issue with which party can be con-
fronted, and they have a wholly new self-respect
ana therefore wohlly new will to win. They
can once again believe in themselves and in their
traditions and in their future.
AS long as the Democratic Party was beset by
iears II could have no leadership. 1t could not
even act as an opposition. 1t mere loose
aggregation of discordant factions, each seeking
merely temporary local advantages The end of
that period of dsunion and doubt has come In
the nomination of Gov Smith the Democratic
Party has pulled itself spiritually together and
II is ready now for the leadership which he will
give it.
The best proof that this is a true estimate
OF the situation today is to be found in the grow
ing CONSERVATION of the Republicans AS straw
IN the wind, we are reprinting in another COL
umn on this page recent editorial from the
chicago Tribune. That editorial shows that
thoughtful Republicans know what it NAV mean
IN the campaign when the great mass of the
voters get it into their heads that there is a
candidate in the field who really represents the
oldest American ideal of equal opportunity The
Republican leaders have not read their history
IN vain. They can read the portents They
Know that at bottom, in spite of all the mater
iailsm and cynicism and complacency and wor
snip OF size and quantity and money the Ameri
can people still believe in and will on occasion
declare for the simple democratic faith in which
they were reared There may be disilusion
ment with the processes of democracy but there
Is no significant establishment with its ideal.
The American people still very American.