Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-14
NEW BOOKS
AT RANDOM
/. C.. M.

/. u. NJ.
DEMOCRACY AT THE CROSS
ROADS: A Symposium. Arranged
by Ellis Meredith. New York:
Brewer, Warren q Putnam.
Democracy at the Cross Roads" is
published under the auspices Of the
Woman's National Democratic Club Of
Washington, D. c.
In substance it Is a symposium whose
contributors have long been prominent
and useful members Of the Democratic
party.
Its declared purpose is to state afresh
the basic principles of that party. Its
manifest and deep-seated intent also Is
to review the nearer history Of the
party by way of its achievements under
the administration of Woodrow Wilson.
Its opportune appearance at the front
door Of the presidential campaign.
together with its sweeping claim OF
superior service to the spirit OF de-
mocracy, suggests its immediate mission
as that of a campaign document.
And books this year appear to have
taken the place Of the sheets and
pamphlets Of other years in respect to
political information and instruction.
"
the pressure of the moment would, 1t
| seems, suggest tabloid literature In every
field. Not so, however, for In regard
to the political situation alone biog-
raphies and period histories are more
numerous than ever before. Yet the
reading Of books is no more general than
it has been. Again one wonders.
However, the matter in hand Is this
particular book, with the highly COM
petent effort that has been made to
render it of use in the direction upon
! which it points. The names alone Of
those gathered here in elaboration con-
Stitute an invitation to the general
reader Newton D. Baker among them,
and Brand Whitlock, Thomas j. Walsh,
Robert F. Wagner. Carl Vrooman and
others high in the records OF party
service and good citizenship.
The first chapter is one OF the most
useful. The Record, 19l4-1920," by
w. A. Aver, M. c. The record consists
OF a parliamentary survey OF the Cleve-
land administrations and a full recital
Of the eight years under Woodrow VIII
son. A generally eulogistic accounting,
deservedly eulogistic. Its occasional
gestures of regret and depreciation are
expended upon the obstructiontSt spirit
and policy Of the other party.
Here are, in name. some Of the ad-
| mirably Illuminating studies Of this
book: THE Federal Reserve Act" by
H. Parker Willis, Democracy Goes to
War; Newton D. Baker; Democracy
as a World IDEAL John Holiday La
tame; 'Imposts and Amity," John w.
Davis, and The Road Away From Revo-
luton" Huston Thompson. Others. be-
sides. Together these give compre-
boz,
political party, has accomplished for
the good Of the American people. These
inclusive studies do not fail, also, to de-
fine shortcomings in the standards set
up by Democracy, nor do they fail to
outline reconstruction measures already
in mind, provided the voice Of the peo-
pie sets their party again in power. A
touch of childishness here and there
is swift to unload political misadventure
on the other side: failed of Executive
approval" received the Presidents
Veto" describe such legislative shortages
of the Utopian pattern as the party SO
ardently sought, as the party more often
than otherwise achieved Aside from
these occasional lapses into the familiar
political partisanship. here is book Of
admirable content. The various themes
are important and pertinent. Its ex-
field occupied by them. They are men
of high service to the party They are
! both intellectually and emotionally posi-
tive that Jefferson and Jackson and
Wilson embody the political principles
by which alone a Democratic people is
able to fulfill itself. Together they
have rounded body of political prtn-
ciples exemplified fully in national event
and situation of good or i'll, as these
principles were on the one hand adhered
to and on the other hand allowed to
| lapse for longer or shorter periods. To-
gether they have spread the history, and
hope to the American people in time
| OF world confusion and distress.
A brilliant study. Clearly partisan in
method and effect. A quality that. quite
naturally, takes from it full measure Of
| influence, or conviction. But. never
theleSs. there are bodies of valid history
and expert opinion here that lift the
book well into the common need Of
common people for a factual seizure Of
many points in the history of one Of
the two great parties upon which this
country depends for the formation OF
its mechanics of Government.
r
JOE BAILEY: The Last Democrat. BY
Sam Hanna Acheson. New York
The Macmillan Co.
An arrogant" title. this. the author
comedies. standing ready, no doubt, fol
whirlwind of denial from the devoted
followers of the Democratic ideal, from
the ardent bearers of the party stand
ard Yet, sturdily, Mr. Acheson stands
his ground. by way of a general re-
evaluation OF political parties of what
ever complexion. In the plant of our
grandmothers "nothin is what it used
TO be" Politics may indeed be included
in this general shift and drift and
change. While the old words go on in
endless iteration, new substance has
taken the place of early rhetorical
values. Material things have supplanted
elaborate theories on the rights of
man" A thoroughly diffused industry
and its adequate emolumentS are today
the sum and substance of political con-
Germ as well as of social and eco
nomic endeavor. Joseph Weldon Bailey
was prominent in political life just at
the parting OF the ways. just at the
time when political theories. thin-spun
to useless fragility. had fallen apart to
make way for a sturdier bond of ma
tionallty than even a golden cord could
supply. Something, since his day, in
between the two dominant parties as to
certain essentials. Stanchly denied, to
be sure. but essentially true nevertheless.
So. when free trade" and State
rights" along with some lesser inner
encies, were still the trademark of his
party, Senator Joe Bailey did valiant
service toward the very day that now
shines upon the high cult of Wilsonian
democracy.
And here is the story of that pic
turesque and dominating figure in both
State politics and national legislation
Accident alone made of this man a
Southerner, ultimate upholder of the
Confederate cause. A pair of brothers
separated, one to remain in the North
and the other to drift southwark,
made of Mr.. Bailey legatee of South
ern interests and issues And here he
was valiant worker. He would have
been that anywhere. For this is man
of bodily VipOr and keenly active mind