Evening star., 1935-09-29

Roosevelt next year. and will rot.
True, they have always the oppor.
tunity to vote the Republican ticket,
but many Of the Democrats do not
like to do that. They would much
prefer an opportunity to vote against
Mr. Roosevelt-and yet remain Demo-
Gratis. 1t is to these that Mr.. Kirby's
movement appeals. to these that every
suggestion of an orthodox Democratic
third ticket appeals.
Many Are in South,
Many of this class of Democrats are
in the South. In the South is at
once the strongest fidelity 10 Demo-
cratic principles and traditions - but
at the same time strongest repug-
nance to voting the Republican ticket.
Tens Of thousands Of Democrats in
the South, perhaps hundreds of thou
sands, would welcome an independent
orthodox Democratic ticket.
When Mr. Kirby, or any one else
who proposes an independent Demo-
cratic ticket, seeks for leaders to head
his movement, and especially when
he seeks a nominee for the presi-
dency, he must go away from those
Democrats who now hold Office. He
must go away even from those Demo-
Gratis who in the future hope to hold
office. Any Democrat who would ac-
cept the nomination of a third party
for the presidency, or conSpicuously
identify himself with leadership of a
third party, knows that by that act
he may prescribe himself from the
regular party organization, from all
hope of ever being given future Office
or honor by the regular party He
would have to say, like Nathan Hale,
MY only regret is that / have only
one political career to sacrifice for my
country"
There are many Democrats whose
political careers are behind them. II
their future ambitions are also be-
hind them they would be free to
identify themselves with an inde-
pendent Democratic movement. Many
Democrats who have had dHtin-
guished careers have spoken public
dissent from the New Deal, in some
cases thoroughgoing opposition TO it.
They include some Of the best men
in the party: EX-Gov. Smith of New
York, ex-Gov. Ely of Massachusetts,,
ex-Gov. Ritchie of Maryland, former
Candidate for President John w.
Davis; a former Secretary of State,
Bainbridge Colby.
Could Get Many Votes.
1t is possible that among Democrats
of this type. Mr.. Kirby. or any one
else organizing an independent ortho-
dox Democratic party might find
presidential candidate, and find lead
ers and spokesmen. If so, this third
party would get large number Of
votes.
But let no one be misled; the third
party would not nave the faintest
chance Of electing its candidate. 1t
would be fortunate if it got as much
as 10 per cent of the total vote. Who
ever heads a third party movement
would be making '5acrifice hit and
would know he was making it.
The effectiveness Of an independent
Democratic movement would lie
largely in the conspicuous notice it
would give to the public that the
regular Democratic party is not really
Democratic. Most Of the Democratic
voters thus warned would not, how
ever, vote for the third ticket. They
would go all the way and vote the
Republican ticket. Existence of an
independent Democratic ticket would
have its principal effect in helping to-
ward Republican success.
Until the death of Huey Long there
were at least three possibilities of new
developments in next years election.
One was a third party to be led by
Long and appeal 10 radicals. That
possibility has now ceased. Another
was a third party to be headed by
and appeal to conservative Democrats.
That possibility still exists and some-
thing may come Of it.
Coalition Still Possible.
The other possibility was coalition
party made up of conservatives.
Democrats and Republicans. and to
have as its candidate, either for Presi-
dent or Vice President, some such
Democrat as ex-Gov. Ritchie, OF the
former Budget Director in President
Roosevelt's cabinet, Lewis w. Doug
las. This is by far the best way to
give the country the opportunity TO
vote intelligently as between the New
Deal and the traditional American
conception of society and government.
For the idea of coalition ticket
there is much support among the
people. There is more support among
Republicans than Republican leaders
realize. But Republican leaders are
generally against the notion. Most
of the national leaders are against it,
and even more effective, the little
local party leaders in countries and
precincts all through the country are
against it. They don't want to sac
rifice the party name. They want to
keep the brand. They are unwilling
to let the Republican party lapse as
o going concern.
Against these influences only some
immense upsurge of public sentiment,
led by dynamic personalities. can
bring about coalition ticket OF Re.
publicans with conservative Demo-
Gratis.
(Copyrisht 1935)