Evening star., 1934-02-17
SULLIVAN RAPS
PARTY POLITICS
Civic Leader Quotes George
Washington B Before
Society of Natives.

0OOIChy VI " N0ltfC0s
Formation Of community study
groups for periodic interchange of
views concerning common good and
welfare" and resolutions to vote for
sable and independent representa-
tives" in unrelenting opposition to
''party government" were advocated
BY George E. Sullivan. attorney and
civic leader, in an address to the So
ciety of Natives Of the District Of Col
umbia last night.
Speaking on THE Unheeded Warn
ing of George Washington at the
society's George Washington birthday
anniversary meeting in the Washing
ton Club. Mr.. Sullivan reviewed the
First Presidents opposition to party
government" Mr.. Sullivan cited
Washington's farewell address, deliv-
cred in September, 1895, to show the
great patriots views on political
parties.
nistractS Public Councils.
He quoted WaShington's contention
In that address that party spirit
serves to distract the public councils
and enfeeble the public administra-
ton"
Quoting still further from Washing
tons farewell address, Mr.. Sullivan
read:
There is an opinion that parties
In free countries are useful checks
upon the administration of the gov
eminent, and serve to keep alive the
spirit Of liberty. This, within certain
limits. is probably true; and, In gov
ernments of monarchial cast, patriot
ism may look with Indulgence, If not
with favor, upon the spirit Of party.
But those of the popular character, in
governments purely elective, 1T Is a
spirit not to be encouraged.
Continuing his own address, Mr..
Sullivan said:
During his terms of Office as Presi-
dent, washington had witnessed, with
increasing sadness. the continual
growth and power Of the professional
politician. intervening between the
people and the peoples representa-
tives and dominating the latter in the
functioning of the government itself.
Consequently, Washington made this
last effort to awaken the people
through the medium Of his farewell
address"
TransgressiOns Extended,
BY 1882, when the American people
celebrated the centennial of Washing
tons birth, Mr.. Sullivan recited, not
had q ShinCfnn'S warming
against party government been dis
regarded, but in that year ''transgres-
sions on this subject were notably ex-
tended" Prior to 1882, Mr.. Sullivan
pointed out, the Electoral College had
been permitted to function in accord
ance with the Constitution, the dele
gates to the college choosing the Pres
ident of the United States. But in
1882, Mr.. sullivan declared, "the pro-
fessional politician boldly adopted the
method and continued ever
since, Of having party conventions
held for the selection by such con-
ventions of the candidates to be voted
for in the Electoral College, thus elm
mating all reasonable possibility Of a
selection by the Electoral College at
any time Of a President wholly free
from the influence of a political
party"
When the bi-centennial of Wash
ington's birth was observed in 1882,
Mr.. Sullivan said, there was a "cele-
bration, grand and extensive, and yet
empty and meaningless in that George
Washington's fatherly admonition to
his children Of most vital Importance
was still being neglected"
Needs Alert Citizenship.
''The ultimate awakening" Mr. Sui
Ivan declared, SIS wholly dependent
upon independent citizenship interest
in, and activity with regard to, public
affairs. Our Republic needs and re-
ouires a keenly alert citizenship, in
terested in justice and fair play for
all, and opposed to any subversien of
our Constitution, through political
party government or otherwise.
"In every community in every part
of our Nation, the local public-spirited
citizenship should henceforth band to-
gether In friendly groups for periodic
interchanges Of views concerning the
common good and welfare, and re-
solve that, in the future, the votes OF
the members Of the community In all
elections shall be cast In favor Of the
able and Independent representatives
intent upon protecting and furthertng
the public interests at all hazards,
and unrelentingly opposed to political
party government under any con-
ditionS.
I'm this manner, the return again
to the Republic as devised by our
forefathers will mark the commence
ment Of a new and wonderful epoch
with genuine statesmen coming to the
front and serving the Nation with
distinction while the professional pol
itician is driven into perpetual OBJ
Nvion"
The meeting was presided over by
Jesse c. Suter, president of the society.
The entertainment program, which
followed the address by Mr.. Sullivan,
included piano solos by Miss Ruth
Ellen Dewey, dramatic recitation by
Miss Frances Dewey. with piano &C
compartment by her sister Ruth; So
prano solos by Miss Nellie Roman, and
a reading by Mrs. Mary Lloyd Willis.
Mrs. Dora K. Muir, chairman of en-
tertainment for the society, intro
duced the program,