The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-02-19

Po1b VI ~ 0AAOebNJ 1SNAAS0 w AAo
tinguish the shadow from the sub
stance, the honest effort from the
grand gesture, and the real worth
from the red fire.
/ In fervor of the recent Congress
sional campaign the public-newly in
terested in the study of politics-was
too confused by the barrage of
charges and the torrents of recrimi-
nations to analXze and evaluate.
Since November A, the tempo has
been diminished. Not great deal, it
is true, but sufficient to permit an in
terested public to see something of
the issues themselves. Issues unob-
scured-or unsuccessfully camou-
flaged-by the written and the spo-
! ken word.
The Congress has been in session
nearly three months. During that
time much political drama has trans
pired. Within that time the people of
the United States have seen their
President, viciously assaulted by his
political enemies, emerge victorious
in a dozen conflicts. His opponents
have Unanswered to force him into
positions which they knew his princi-
Piles would cause him to accept; posi-
lions which they believed would be
politically untenable. They have,
time and again, placed him in posi-
ton where he must cease to defend
the best interests of the Nation or
fight. In every case he has accepted
the combat. His opponents learned
to their amazement and chagrin that
the President could WELD "the big
stick" with telling effect.
The public, accustomed to see its
Chief Executive slandered and NAL
igned has devoted an eager attention
to the recent conflicts. When the
President emphatically demonstrated
that his appointments could not be
influenced by the threats of organiza-
lions or individuals, the public res
ponded with cheers. When the oppo-
sition in the Senate first attempted to
seize the whip of authority and only
succeeded in catching the hot end,
presidential prestige went up in each
of the 48 states.
When the President resolutely re-
fused to let the approximate of the
dole be foisted upon the country, the
sagacious gentlemen who had counted
upon placing him in an intensely I'M
popular position were dismayed to
find that he had both popular and
press support. When Mr.. Hoover
brought his authority to the defense
of the Red Cross he gained further in
national esteem. When he unhesitat-
ingly refused to accept the famous
Democratic "ultimatum" the opposi-
ton crumpled amid pleas for a
compromise"
The President has emerged victor
ious in these contests not through any
innate power of his Office but because
the people of the United States have
believed him to be in the right. Time
and again he has been sustained by
the irresistible force of public opinion.
Those who seek to know the political
future may well study these portents.
The People VS.. The Congress
Those who had begun to fear that
the will Of the people might be frus-
trated by the very agencies it has
created are finding reinsurance in the
present attitude of the Congress. The
overwhelming force of crystallized
public opinion once again demon
strates that ours is government by
the people.
For weeks some members OF both
houses, blinded by partisanship or
sectional interests, have placed them
selves stubbornly in opposition to the
clear will of the majority that there
be no extra session of Congress.
Some of those whose actions tended
to insure the extraordinary session
were both sincere and high minded.
Others were animated by less noble
motives. Today, even those whose
tactics were inspired by political
counsel apparently have seen the
light. The defiant Democratic ulti-
matum has shrivelled to plea for
compromise and those who worked
hardest to hamper the Administra-
ton, fearful that they have launched
boomerang, now appear ready to
cooperate in deed as well as word.
Sufficient time remains to pass all
the appropriation bills and leave
reasonable margin for the considera-
ton of other important legislation.
Both the President of the United
States and the American Red Cross
have given their pledge that the
drough sufferers will receive adequate
relief. It is not asking too much that
Congress accept the pledge which no
nation in the world would fail to
honor. Economists of all political
anI