The Daily Alaska empire., 1936-06-18
Ways of Democracy
(New York Times


 During the coming month the Presidential cam pagn will be set actually in motion The national conventions of both major parties vii have met and completed their plans for the great appeal every four years to the voters of the United States. It will be a period of turmoil and shouting. Every political de- vice will be resorted The air will be filled for months with charges and counter-charges, personal accusations and the consequent examinations To doctrinaire political philosopher from afar it all might look like haphazard and tumultuous and most unsatisfactory way of renewing and conducting the Government of this country.
 Complaints to that effect have often been heard from American citizens They point to the uncer- tainties and disturbances often caused in business by Presidential election. Much better, 1t is said, would be to have President elected for years, ever ten, that these political upheavas might not recur frequently. It has also been sometimes asserted that the political methods adopted in the United States cumbrous unreasoning and wide open to abuse and corruption Why do we follow a system which offers fair field to the demagogue, the political trickster the agitator?
 These are old grievances, to which impatient and petulant Americans have given voice in times past Today they not doing it to any extent. They have become reconciled to the rough and tumble of democracy as they have been compelled to observe in other lands the dohgs of autocracy and of tyr amy People here have often sighed for more pre- else and efficient methods of government but no one would venture to eXat the present Italian regime above cur own to intimate that it would be better for us to have a Hitler Staln in charge of our public affairs good deal has been done to reinstate and restore democracy by the eXcesses of the very dictators who have been denouncing it futility and declaring liberty to be only a sham.
 Our democratic ways may sometimes appear un- kempt but at least they own free choice. Political campaigning and party struggles often seem wearisome expensive, unscientific and absurd but they fit free better than regimentation from above and orders how to vote if they permitted to vote at all The incidental noise and fury of de- bate have to be viewed in fair comparison with the larger aims and results. There are Jules Lematre long ago remarked many displeasing manners of liberty but after all, they part of liberty
 What about to have in this country is, in reality a demonstration of the possibilities of government by the people. Rulers have to come be- fore the popular tribunal to give account of their stewardship Aspirants for high office need to vince their fellowctizens that they and their party are fit to rule in a great and surging democracy Democratic government thus goes back to its source in order to justify and strengthen itself Thus sidered it is still wonderful spectacle before the eyes of men-all the so, perhaps, because in recent years it has become Let American citi- 2ens therefore look forward to the coming days of political strife without dismay dread. Whatever the course of the Presidential campaign matter what its outcome may be- the exhibition will be that of powerful nation clinging hopefully to the ways of democracy.