The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-07-03
M. E.TracySays:

CHANCELLOR HITLER expresses the opinion
" of millions Of people outside of Germany
when he says that parliamentary government
is doomed. Not only in Communist Russia and
Fascist Italy, but in such democratic countries
as England and America, there is growing
belief that we have OVerdone the job Of popular
government.
Borrowing the idea from big business, vast
ma jorities of people are coming TO believe in
social efficiency through disciplined action.
The idea is not original, except for its eco
nomic trappings.
Since the dawn of consciousness, men have
sought protection and prosperity through or
ganization in one form another, but always
to discover that it involved too much tyranny
at the end.
The democratic revolution which seems to
have reached a climax was brought on by too
much discipline, too much law, TOO much au-
thority.
Democracy is a defensive system. Its chief
merit lies in the fact that it enables people to
protect themselves against monopoly, class rule
and despotisn, whether as developed through
public or private institutions.
TINE great mistake Of democracies consists in
L the belief that mass thinking will gravitate
to creative and constructive channels without
guidance, that the ship of state can be sailed by
a crew better than by a captain.
There is no doubt that We have carried pop
ular government to absurd extremes, that we
have expected too much Of public opinion, and
that we have discounted the essential factor of
personal leadership.
At the same time, we must not forget the
bitter lesson taught by history, or allow our
passion for achievement to set the stage for
new form of tyranny. No achievement is worth
that price.
Desirable as it may be to grant temporary
dictatorial powers in the face of some great
emergency it would be folly to make them per-
manent and undo all that has been accomplished
for human liberty.
Authoritative control of human affairs with
out the sanction and consent of the vast ma
jority is irreconcilabe with progress because the
basis of progress is change and change becomes
difficult in a controlled society.
TN this respect the Russian experiment is
l. peculiarly deceptive. AS a matter Of fact
Russia is doing little but develop state capitalism
along the lines of big business. Not until she
has copied what the rest of the world knows
snail we be able to determine Just how much she
can DO on her own account.
The same thing is true Of Fascist Italy and
Nazi Germany. All these nations merely are
putting the government in charge Of what has
been developed through private enterprise At
the same time, they are intrenchlng govern
mental authority in such a way to deprive
the people of their defensive rights
Theoretically the people of Russia, Italy and
Germany have right to vote but they have
little on which to vote. Theoretically they have
the right to think and talk, but only along
prescribed lines.
Freedom Of the press freedom of conscience,
and freedom of speech have well nigh gone by
the board because Of their obvious interference
WITH the complete authority to make and carry
out plans which these new systems demand.