Evening star., 1928-11-14

4, It's civil divisions It has been particu.
larly noticeable In the State of New
York, where great forward looking con-
structive measures were delayed for
years by partisan opposition seeking to
withhold from the Democratic party
credit for their accomplishments.
Obstructionists Are Rejected.
The party responsibility for such OBJ
struction tactics has been rebuked by
the people at the polls no later than
last Tuesday. Too often the minority
has attempted to ride into power by
taking advantage of the failure of the
ma ajoritS that led into an actuality the
campaign promises upon which IL
sought the suffrage Of the people.
while it is true that every party
must adhere to its fundamental princi-
piles, obstruction and blockade for the
sole purpose Of embarrassing the party
in power are not calculated to pro-
mote the best interests Of the country
! It would be regarded q constructive
achievement II the Democratic party
at Washington were to formulate pro-
gram adapted and offered to the Con-
| gress of the Nation and there defend
1t, and refusal on the part of the party
in power to accept 1t or their inability
to bring about party unity for the solu-
ton Of these problems would then fix
responsibility and make a record upon
which successful campaign can be
waged four years from now.
I'm other words, the Democratic party
would not be acting In good faith with
the people of the country, nor in good
faith with the millions of those who
rallied to its support, If 1t were to sit
by and adopt policy Of inaction with
a hope of proflting solely by the mis-
take or the failure Of the opposition.
Asks Constructive Program.
What this country demands is con-
structive and not destructive criticism.
A constructive program embodying the
declarations of the Democratic platform
all things the function of a minority
party is educational in character 1t
will not do for the rank and file of the
American people to be intensely inter-
eSted In the issue and party program
for a couple of months before election
and then permit that interest to die
out when the result is announced.
Political platforms and political promises
are not Self-enacting.
THE political history of the United
States clearly indicates that every pro-
SkcSSAtC OJCp, CNCLy GOfClJIlGLlC lCAOA III
has been won only after a period of
persistent effort and by the slow process
Of educating the electorate.
"The first and indispensable element
of education is information. A full
and complete presentation Of the facts
is easier to do today than 1t was years
ago, with the use of the radio and the
increasing interest of our young people
in the public affairs It must be re-
membered that while the political party
may seriously divide public thought and
public opinion throughout the country
during the progress of the campaign,
after the American people have made
their decision the man selected Is not
the president of the Republican party,
but the President of the United States.
He is the President of all the people,
and as such he is entitled to all the
co-operation of every citizen in the
development Of a program calculated
to promote the welfare and the best
interests of this country.
He is entitled to fair opportunity to
develop such program Only when
he fails to accomplish it does his ad-
ministration become the subject of
proper criticism by the opposition party.