Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-28

In the melee that marked yesterday
| afternoons session of the Democratic
convention at Houston. started by
Chairman Robinson's reference to the
question Of tolerance. the standards
designating the various State delega-
tons figured as gonfalons Determined
assaults were made upon them by the
marchers who were aroused to fac
tional excitement by the words of the
speaker. The effort was to secure them
and parade them about the hall. as
tokens of unanimity. Several OF the
delegations, declining to join in the
demonstration, resisted this attack and
thus came about the series of fights on
the floor that for a period made the
Madison Square Garden affair of 1924
a tame performance by comparison.
From time immemorial contending
forces on battlef1elds have endeavored
to capture the emblems and banners
of the enemy. Many deeds of heroism
have been performed in these contests
for the possession of the tokens of par
tiSanship and nationality. No trophy
Of the fight is more highly cherished
than the standard taken from the foe
in fierce conflict. Captured flags hang
in military museums and national halls
of fame Occasionally, after peace has
come these banners have been re-
stored to their former owners, in
gracious acknowledgment of gallantry
in defense, and sometimes these res
torations have effected the healing of
the wounds OF war.
There is grave risk, however, in thus
carrying the battle-ground tactics into
the halls of political conference and
action. Just as the soldier will de-
fend his flag to the last drop of his
blood, and bitterly hate the foe who
wrests it from him. so the political
warrior will resent the wrestling of his
State emblem from his grasp by the
opposition. Such feelings will not be
quickly allayed
The spectacle presented yesterday at
Houston will not make for Democratic
harmony in the campaign to come. 1t
viii not evoke acquiescence in the ul-
innate decisions of the convention. It
was decidedly unfortunate for the party
that is now holding its supposedly
solemn conclave upon issues and candi-
dates that the emotionaliSm of a mo-
ment should have surged to the pitch
OF actual conflict, with those precious
standards of statehood as objects of
direct personal struggle
1t of course would have made no diff
ference In the actual sentiments of the
delegates from the States that declined
to join in the demonstration whether
the standards had been swung into the
line of the marchers. The voting is
not done by the wooden shafts and
signboards that serve as distinguishing
marks of geographical and political di-
visions.
But the perennial disposition to
dramatize politics in terms of warfare
prevailed at Houston In that brief period
Of ebullition. evoked by the chairmans
ringing words. The incident should
serve as a warning to the managers of
future conventions to adopt some
means whereby the standards Of the
States may not be taken from their
places save by those authorized, per-
maps holders of the keys that control
the fastenings.
Best of all would be the discourage
ment and prevention of the senseless
parading demonstrations that marx
and mar -- the conventions of these
times. They do not At into the picture
Of free people exercising the right CT
self government.