Evening star., 1940-07-04

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had their independence taken away
from them, but in America itself.
The belief that one-man govern
ment is indispensable or that Ger
tain rights and privileges of the
individual must be brushed aside
In favor of greater and greater
power delegated to the State has
been growing unhappily to pro-
portions not generally realized in
the United States.
The crudities of democracy, its
incapacity to make quick decisions
or to prepare for contingencies as
well as can single-track ruler
possessed of vast powers have
started wave of criticism which
makes the democratic processes now
open to debate where for generations
1t was taken for granted as the ideal
form of governmental permanent
fixture in the world of free men.
But 1t is really not the democra-
cies or their forms of government,
but the people who are at fault.
They are derelict in their duties as
citizens. The selfishness of politi-
clans, for instance, is one of the
known causes of democracy's inept-
1tude, yet, unless the citizens bestir
themselves and drive from power
the sycophants and the parasites
who infest government nowadays,
democracy's ills will not be cured
1t is the spirit of selfishness and the
unwillingness of the men in public
Office to put the public interest
above their own private ambitions
which has really wrecked democracy
because it makes men compromise
with their convictions on the ground
OF, expediency.
Stratagems Long Accepted.
The moment public opinion &C
quiesces in the idea that political
expediency is justified on the theory
that the end justifies the means,
democracy's first-line trench can be
said to have been captured by the
forces of immortality. For years now
the maneuvers and stratagems of
the politicians have been accepted
by the populace as necessary coun-
terpart of the democratic system
itself Men have shrugged their
shoulders as if to say that a certain
amount of adroitness and intelli-
gent flexibility were inevitable If
men were to gain public Office.
The most conspicuous and most
encouraging demonstration to the
contrary was the nomination of
Wendell Willkie for the presidency
by the Republican party. 1t was
really recognition of the fact that
a fortnight man who does not adul-
terate his convictions can be named
to the highest Office within the
gift of major political party. In
a way this example will be vital
to young men who aspire to public
office, no matter how big or little
1t may be, in the Federal, State of
city administrations of this country.
Thousands of honest young men
have faltered when they have been
urged to run for public Office They
have been told they must compro-
mise with their principles or else
make speeches that mean all things
to all people. This is called good
politics" But the country nowadays
Is against such tactics and wants
refreshing contrast.
Democracy on Trial.
What is really happening is a
rebuilding of the democratic spirit,
something that could not happen
unless there was the widest kind of
participation by the people in pub
lie affairs. For if the delegates to
the Republican National Convention
had not been importuned by an
alert and aggressive public opinion,
Willkie would never have been NOM
mated, Whether one is a Republi-
can or Democrat, there must be
rejoicing that the American system
of representative government worked
in one of the major parties not
withstanding the fact that the man
chosen was not lifelong Republi-
can, in fact had not voted the
ticket until four years ago.
Democracy, however, cannot cele-
brate its age-old holiday this year
with feeling that the American
way is the permanent way. De-
mocracy is being criticized and is on
trial in the minds of many of it's
own devotees. 1t is the RESPONSE
bility of those who do feel democracy
can function to see to it that petit
ness and personal ambition and the
immoralities of party politics, the
deception and the camouflage, the
alibis, and the false accusations are
swept from the scene so that the
people can once more have faith in
truth and principle. That's the real
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