The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1939-01-05
Our Domestic Bullies

Washington, January A, 1889.
A lot of people not in the least en-
amored of Mr.. Roosevelt and with me
strongest sort of distaste for his New
Deal were unqualifedly for him when,
speaking through Mr.. Sumner Welles,
he recently rejected the Nazi demand
for an apology. In this case they did
not particularly like having to back up
Mr.. Ickes, whose venomous tongue and
lack of restraint make it easy to resist
loving him.
1t distinctly was not his business to
butt into foreign affairs with public
comment. That is the province of the
Secretary of State, not the Secretary
of the Interior, and sense of propri-
ETY. should have kept him quiet. It's
not his fault the incident did not cause
greater embarrassment. Nevertheless,
when a belligerent foreign bully,
whose inspired press has been black
guarding this nation for months, takes
a threatening tone toward US, the
American people, regardless OF details,
like to see their President respond
with courage and vigor. Mr.. Roosevelt
did exactly that, and even his strong
est critics were in accord.
***
However, there are many who very
much wish Mr.. Roosevelt and his aides
could bring themselves to be equally
emphatic in dealing with the domestic
DULLES so conspicuous these days in
American politics. The President can
be very courageous in handling Eu
ropean swashbuckler, but when con-
| fronted by the homegrown variety of
tough baby he sings another tune. 1t
is fair to say that this difference IS not
peculiar to Mr.. Roosevelt. Unfortu-
nately, it is characteristic of nearly all
men in public life in both parties. They
ferociously howl at Hitler, which may
be fine, but with extremely few eX
ceptions they strain themselves to
persuade, placate, pacify and concili-
ate the bellicose leaders of the organ
lied minorities camped here in Wash
ington who make regular business of
brandishing big sticks over the heads
of our politicians. It's the way they
make living-and, for some # them,
very excellent living, indeed.
*&*
| There are a score or more of such
men. Some of them have been on the
scene for years; some are newcomers.
/ AS they become seasoned, they do not
grow, but they visibly swell and few
attain ridiculous proportions. The
reasons our public officials who so
fearlessly assail Mussolini, Hitler, Sta
lin and other foreign rulers but are
solicitous and tender toward these
presumptuous and preposterous group
dictators at home are, of course, clear.
They can be summed up in a single
word-Votes. No votes can be lost by
assailing the foreign aggressors, but
good many may be by making an en-
envy of the paid lobbyist of a special
interest here. At least that is the stock
political reasoning.
***
Hence, from President down, our
politicians meekly suffer such men 20
assume an attitude and take tone
that would not be tolerated in anyone
else-and should not be in them. They
not only escape without rebuke but
generally garner the wide publicity
which is their real aim in way that
indicates acquiescence if not approval
upon the part of those in authority. 4
striking example of this was given a
few days ago when we|!-known farm
lobbyist went to the White House and
there told Mr.. Roosevelt that not less
Government money but more IS de-
manded by the farmers, and unless
they got it there will be real need for
the army" He was so quoted in the
press and over the radio.
If this is anything, it is a threat Of
violent revolution made Directly to the
President of the United States, who
receives it without comment. And
there are others. 1t is more or less
typical instance. The great groups