Evening star., 1939-02-12
Need for Unity


the leaders of the American people
cannot afford to quarrel among
themselves. Thoughtful citizens are
coming to realize an imperative need
for unity of sentiment and opinion in
the United States. A growing con-
viction that dissension between
classes and parties on matters of
fundamental policy has the effect of
weakening national morale is dis
cernible. The present contest be-
tween President Roosevelt and Con-
gress cannot be said to be helping the
country either at home or abroad. If
it continues, the Nation will be dan
gerously handicapped in both do
mestic and foreign affairs.
OF course, it is part of the Amer
lean tradition that there should be
opposition. But it also is necessary
that resistance must be impersonal.
No patriot will tolerate with equa-
nimity struggle for personal, fac
tional or party power at the obvious
expense of the national welfare. Spe-
cifically, in such a period of peril as
the current hour it would be close to
treason to stir up strife within the
Government for selfish purposes. It
should be demanded of all individuals
and groups concerned that politics
halt at the waters edge.
The philosophy of the President as
regarding foreign affairs is not diff
ficult to understand. He knows-and
the country supports him in his be-
lief-that the interests of civilization
at large and of American civilization
in particular are correlated momen-
tarily at least to those of the demo-
cratic nations of Europe. They are the
friends of the United States, in effect
they are fighting a battle the result
of which will be of immense import
ance to Pan-America. Mr.. Roose-
velt would be remiss in his duty If he
did not give them and their enemies
definite indication of where our ma
tional sympathy lies. The best hope
of maintaining world peace has re-
quired his doing so.
Similarly, Congress is assembled
with mandate from the electorate
to guard the Constitution and all
the treasured values spiritual, social,
cultural and material for which that
sacred charter stands. Every men,
ber of the Senate and of the House
of Representatives has taken SOL
emn oath to insure domestic tram
quillity, provide for the common de-
fense, promote the general welfare
and secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and our posterity." Nor is
mere lip-service, mere pretension of
loyalty to these responsibilities
enough in an emergency such as that
which admittedly prevails just now.
The national legislature dare not fail
the people for any political advantage
anticipated in years to come, and
must recognize the fact that foreign
policy, up to the point of treaty
making, is the exclusive responsible
ity of the Executive.
If it be objected that the Presi-
dent on occasion has been ill-ad-
vised, like stipulation is indicated
for more than a few of his critics.
Adjustment and compromise are es-
sential at both ends of Pennsylvania
avenue. There can be no question
whatever about the desirability of
united front for the solution of for
eign and domestic problems too
grave, too serious, too pressing for
casual or opportunistic treatment.
The average citizen knows the
merit of John Dickinson's Liberty
Song of 1853:
Then join hand in hand, brave Amer
leans all!
BY uniting we stand, by dividing we
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