Evening star., 1934-06-07
The Republican Greed and Leader

Under the two-party system of gov
ernment, which is the American Sys-
TEN, a recurrence of opposition by
the party out of power to the acts and
programs of the party which is in
control is inevitable. Upon this prin-
ciple the Republic has been sustained
virtually from the outset. 1t is main
tanned by the action of the Repub-
lican party, as represented by the Ma
tional Committee, assembled for the
purpose of selecting a new chairman,
in adopting a platform" or code,
which declares opposition to the the
ories and practices of the Democratic
party, now in control in the White
House and in Congress. While the
committee recognizes the fact that it
has no authority to write a detailed
party program" it deems it to be its
duty Ito set forth the spirit and atti-
tude in whicn our party should ap-
proach the problems of the day and
to restate our principles of govern
ment."
Reduced to essentials this program.
creed or platform, however it may be
styled, declares against the "chaos OF
unlimited imitation" protests the COW
ert efforts to alter the framework OF
American institutions and to SubStl-
tute complete Government control of
agricultural production and business
activity for individual initiative, in
sists that there be no further repudia-
ton of the solemn obligations Of the
Government, opposes revolutionary
change without proper mandate and
holds that the present emergency laws
vesting dictatorial powers in the Pres
ident must never be permitted to be-
come a permanent part OF the gov
ernmental system.
In other words, the Republican pro-
gram is that of opposition to the new
deal in its methods of procedure, with
particular stress upon the danger OF
the departure from principles which
the American people, given liberty Of
expression and action, are better able
to apply in solution of their problems
than any group of autocrats."
There Is not much that is par
ticularly tangible in the indictment
which the National Committee, in
the name Of the Republican party,
draws against the Democratic ad-
ministration. The program is rather
an appeal to the fears Of the cleo
torate lest the fundamental principles
of the Republic are endangered by
the emergency measures that have
been adopted. 1t is adroitly composed
to that end, somewhat in the ira
ditional manner of the pointing
with alarm" that has been the prac
tice of the minority party ever since
the institution Of party government
in this country.
Obviously and indeed with explicit
intention, as phrased in the final
words OF the code" this is a call
to arms for the congressional cam
paign. 1t urges all who believe in
the maintenance of the principles set
forth to unite in the election Of Sen
ators and Representatives who will
support them. 1t at least furnishes
a slogan for the fight for the con-
troll of the next Congress. Whether
it will be effective remains to be seen.
1t furnishes rallying ground for
those who feel that the Government
is going too fast and too far toward
the left"
In the selection of Henry P.
Fletcher as chairman of the National
Committee the Republicans have done
the best possible in the circumstances.
A Western man who was acceptable
to the Eastern group could not be
found. The new leader of the party
is a man of distinguished ability,
of highly creditable performance in
responsible office, diplomat who
has scored successes in the interna-
tional field and who will find in the
display of his talents for persuasion
and adjustment that may serve to
reunite the now separated factions
Of his party.