The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-12-06
TAXING LIBERALISM

One of the most overworked words in
the dictionary today is liberal. 1t IS the
chief stock in trade of the nations radicals,
all of whom with loud acclaim announce
their liberalism. There are few socialists,
communists, or adherentS of any other
brand of radicalism, who are not continual
" declaring their liberalism and getting
themselves in lather in the effort to prove
that they are liberals and that all who dis
agree with them are reactiOnarles or be-
long to some other class of horned devils.
All of which is thoroughly disgusting to
a plain, honest, loyal American, who knows
the character and at least something OF the
purposes of these self-made liberals. AS a
matter of fact it would be impossible to
find one among the Extensively blatant lib
erals" who knows the meaning of the word.
The entire crew are radicals of the deepest
dye, including those of the most violent
and dangerous types. To hear these people
pirate about their liberalism and attempt to
smear the character and reputation of de-
cent Americans is offensive and disgusting
to the limit.
In writing of the misuse of the word lib
eral and the way in which the radicals IL
bel liberalism by their efforts to appropri-
ata it to hoodwink the people and as an
aid to the achievement of their sinister
aims in politics and public affairs, Frank
Kent offers some advice to the Republican
party which is basically sound and outlines
for that party the best possible strategy for
the next national campaign.
We herewith quote Kent:
1t does seem that the bunk about present-day
liberalism" is becoming too obvious to be missed.
At least, there are certain facts which stand out
clearly. One is that the more radical you are in
politics these days, the more pronounced your
claims to be liberal" Every communist calls
himself liberal; every labor agitator is liberal;
every crackpot with coek-eyed scheme to dish
out somebody elseS dough isI liberal; every
New Dealer is liberal In the last campaign
everywhere the New Dealers appealed in the
name of liberalism and denounced their OPP
ponents reactionaries and nearly everywhere
the liberal" was licked
Thatsought to be enough to convince the Re-
publicans that the label Liberal isn't the thing
luz WHICH the people VOCeQ-LnaC Cnere is no
magic in the word 1t ought to make them will
ling to let the New Dealers and the Radicals
have it and stop trying to sound like them. 1t
ought to convince any observer that this country
whole is conservative at heart and has had
enough of this ostentatious, synthetic, snug self
righteous liberalism" What the people want
now is party which can be counted upon to
straighten out the mess in which we are wallow-.
ing and return the country to solveney and san
ity The smart thing for the Republicans to do.
IS to avoid reactonary policies, leaders and can
didates, but disregard the tinpot liberals and
call themselves frankly the conservative party.
AT this time it is much the better word. They
needn't be afraid they will lose votes-they'n
gain them. Let the radicals rant about the ''re-
actionaries' and rave about liberalism" They
will anyhow That's their stock in trade. 1t is all
they have.
The late election conclusively indicated
that the. country is turning from radicalism
to conservatism. Public sentiment as meas
ured by the press and individuals and or
ganizations whose business is the estimat
ing of public opinion, confirm the fact that
the heavy trend of politieaf sentiment and
movement is tolconservatisni.
Frank Kent is, correct and is writing in a
common sense vein when he suggests that
the Republican. party will evidence wisdom
and the best of political strategy by show
ing up the radicals for what they really
are and then proceeding to take a stand
for conservatism and Americanism. The
Republicans will win votes and elections
in the future by convincing the country
that the party is honestly and sincerel,
conservative. Any effort to steal the liver!
of fake liberalism in which the radical