The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-05
Comnism Crushed

themselves of the sinister influence Of a poll
teal system that was plunderous and not
partisan.
The triumph belongs to decency and CIVIC
righteousness, not to any political party.
The people knew the viciousness of the
system which Indifference, prejudice and
blind loyalty to party labels had permitted to
come into almost unlimited power.
For Coffinism not only ruled this city and
county but its influence in state and even
national affairs held that balance Of power
which permitted it's influence to be domi-
nant factor.
Before it, politicians quailed. Some gave
allegiance Others were too timid to fight the
evil they knew existed and became partners
to the assaults it made upon public welfare.
Cofinism was born when this state was
swept from its safe moorings in harbor of
sanity by the wave of passion which bred
hate in the hearts of men and caused neigh
Dor to distrust and hate neighbor because of
racial and religious differences.
1t was the legitimate son of Stephenson
ism and never could have existed had 1t not
been for the gospel of hate which came to
this state with the hooded order.
The men and the women who were mis-
led repented. They showed it in the cam
paiqn to rid the schools and the city of its
influence. They emphasized it Tuesday in the
most impressive of all victories. They decided
to take back the government to themselves
and to rid themselves of the Frankenstein
they had created.
There will be better day in government,
not only in this city, but in this state. Candi-
dates for office no longer will court vicious
influence. The Republicans will regain their
own party.
It is significant that the one man
at whom Cofinism leveled its most bitter at
tacks in the campaign as a smoke screen for
its real purpose to capture the county gov
ernment was elected by the largest majority.
Louis Ludlow goes back to Congress,
after the orators and the apolOgists for
Cofinism had traduced and falsifed and
tried to- besmirch the fine record he had
made.
1t is significant that in its dying hour,
CoAinism reverted to the days of it's birth
and made futile effort to appeal to the old
hates and passions which first had given 1t
power
When it tried to appeal to hate, those
who might have been willing to argue them
selves out of their convictions as to the
viciousness of Coflinism because of the
character of some of the nominees on the
ticket, turned in disgust when they saw the
self-revelation and hideousness of the sys-
tenn.
Appeals to hate and religion never again
VIII win an election in this city or county.
In the defeat of the entire ticket, some
men of high character were carried to dis
aster. They met the fate of Old Dog Tray.
Their defeat was merited.
They lacked that courage of citizenship
which would have led them to denounce Cot
fnism. They turned away from the way OF
political salvation which was theirs had they
but had the real hatred of Cofinism in their
hearts.
They were tinid when they should have
been brave. They were silent when they
should have braved defeat at the hands of the
machine rather than to become apologize,
even by their silence, for its evils.
The Democrats who come into power
should approach office in spirit of humility.
If there be those who believe that personal
popularity or political organization was re-
sponsible for their election, they should be
disillusioned.
They are elected because the people re-
belled against political system which was
costly in money and more costly in civic self
respect.
The people look to them for unselish
service. Any effort to use their offices for
political ends will give them but a short life.
They have magnificent opportunity to
show by contrast that their denunciations of
Coffinism came from the heart and not from
the lip.
In this hour of exutation over the re-
demption of government from the hands of
bad political system, the victorious candi-
dates should dedicate themselves in all sin
cerity to the doctrine of service.
The DepressiOns of 1880 and 1898
CBy Editorial Research RepOrts)