Evening star., 1934-03-04

revolt; on smokeless chimneys and
paralyzed factories: on deflation tri-
umphant over a PROSTATE Nation And
then at monday came the voice of the
new President over the radio-lifted
partly in denunciation, partly in
promise, most of all in encourage
ment, and the American spirit began
again to rise to hope and to energetic
effort.
Looking back, we can plainly see
that the country was in a mood to
turn hostile shoulder upon the for
mer era. 1t was filled with mistrust
of the old eadership-mistrust pro-
found. diffused through all sections
and groups. cyrically outspoken II
was distrust of all our former guides;
of the politicians. the business men
and the financiers: but, above all, of
the union Of politics and big business
under the domination of the latter. 1t
Jumped them all together, however
unfair-Wall Street, State Street, In
sull, Mitchell, Smoot, Hawley, Ogden
Mills, Doak, Mellon, Hoover himself.
They lay under as dark a cloud of
condemnation, these leaders. as the
French nobility had lain in 1889. The
majority Of the Nation regarded them
with both a great disillusionment and
a great resentment. Millions of peo-
pie had lost their savings. their homes.
their farms. their jobs, their courage: +:
they had been angered by the ex-
posure Of dishonesty in business and
recklessness in finance: they were
frightened as never before by their
own utter helplessness. Jefferson had
said in 1875 that Il feel little rebel
lion now and then" and that he
hoped the country would never 60 20
years without one Rebellion showed
that the people were awake to public
concerns, and it kept the office holder
alert to his masters voice. In the
spirit of that utterance we were ready
for a revolt against the past.
A Mood of Distrust.
1t was a mood which differed only
in one important respect from that
which in the last Is years had
produced revolution in one foreign
nation after another. In half of
Europe since 1918 similar distrust
and disillusionment have swept old
ruling groups away. In every instance
these revolts have been crystallized
about one or two definite ideas. In
Russia. free land and no more war;
in Italy, public order, discipline, ef-
ficiency; in Germany. national self
respect and reputation of the Ver-
sailles treaty. In every instance they
have crystallized also about one strong
figure.
The essential difference was that
in America men revolted against the
old leadership. and especially against
the old domination of government by
selfish business, without losing faith
in the governmental institutions
themselves. They wished these insti-
tutions controlled by different men
in a different spirit, but they did
not wish them destroyed and re-
made. Indeed, they wished them
strengthened. However much they
had lost, they knew in their hearts
that the country was still rich in
wealth and opportunity; however
SyAACol tAlcy IldO UcCOulc, tlcy AiIcW
that the Constitution was sound.
What they distrusted was the old
alliance between business and poll
tics, with government the subordinate
partner. They were ready for the
leader and the slogan-for Roosevelt
and the new deal.
How far, in the last year, have
they received what they wanted
wanted less vaguely than many OBJ
servers suppose? What has the break
with tho past In Washington implied
(Coutanued o. Sixth Pags.)