The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-07-17
wider front than during the dast
decade.
Self Government

wider front than during the dast
decade.
Self Government
For a century and more prior to
the World War, the races of men
were moving toward the goal of
freedom and self-government. Be-
ginning with our own revolution
and little later with the French
revolution, the theory Of delnocra-
tic institutions found acceptance
in all parts Of the world. During
this century most Of South Amer
lea established its freedom from
Spain and other foreign DONNA
tons under republican forms of
government, patterned largely af-
ter our own. France drove the
last Bonaparte from the throne
and established the F'ench repub-
lie. China proclaimed a republic
throughout her vast territory, and
among the far-flung elements of
the British empire common
wealth of nations emerged in
which the people strengthened
their local institutions and extern
ded their privileges of indepen-
dent action.
In the smaller nations of Eu-
rope, even those who chung to
the traditions of monarchy, the
people increased their power over
and participation in their govern
mentS.
In Russia the Gear and all that
he represented were endorsed in
what was supposed to be a revolu-
ton Of the people. In Germany,
the Kaiser abdicated and fled his
country following the establish
ment of a republic. In England
the House of Lords was shorn of
some of its ancient prerogatives.
In italy, the king became a pup
pet, and in South Africa the prin-
ciples of self-government became
an established fact following the
Boer war.
We are charged with the re-
sponsibility of determining for
ourselves whether this democracy
which we have instituted and de-
veloped is, first, worth preserving,
and, second, whether we have the
courage, the fortitude and the in
telligence to exert the effort and
make the sacrifice essential to its
preservation. We must determine
whether the restoration of conf
dence in the American system for
which we have labored these last
eight years, after all, was worth
the effort, and whether we are
ready to announce to all the world
that not only the United States,
but the entire Western Hemis-
phere has been dedicated as a
sanctuary for free men and that
any effort from any outside
source to encroach upon it terri
torially, politically or by any other
form Of insidious penetration will
be met by the total impact of all
our resources Of men money and
material until the erlcroachment
and those who undertake it shall
have been broken and driven
back.
Good Will Cherished
This does not mean that we de-
sire war. It does not mean that
we do not cherish peace and good
will among all nations and all
races. It does not mean that we
propose to become involved N the
military conflicts among foreign
nations. It does not mean that we
propose or intend to send the
armed forces of this nation to the
battlefields of Europe or Asia for
the purpose Of determining mill
itary superiority among the ma
lions involved.
But it does mean that we pro-
pose to see that at least one con-
tinent on this earth shall be kept
free for the exercise of the indi-
vidual and collective rights and
privileges of free men. 1t means
that we propose to hold fast to
the doctrine that the state is
created for the service Of the peo-
pie and not that the people are
created for the exploitation of
the state. For this task we must
be prepared, morally, spiritually,
physically, mechanically, econom-
ically.
In the inept conglomoration,
called the Republican platform,
adopted at Philadelphia, We find
the following brilliant piece of
fiction:
1.-THE Republican party stands
for AmericaniSm, preparedness
and peace. We accordingly fasten
upon the New Deal full RESPONSE
bility for our unpreparedness and
for the consequent danger Of in
Movement in war"
No responsible political party
ever promulgated a more deceitful
alibi in all the history of political
parties In the United States.
Let us take look at the record.
I do not relish the necessity to
indulge In partisan dispute over
the question Of preparedness. 1t
ought not be q partisan ques-
ton. But, In view Of the fact that
the Republican platform seeks to
make 1t q partisan question. am
not afraid to discuss 1t on that
basis.
Disarmament
The United States. In the early
days Of the Harding administra.
ton. called the Washington Dis
armament Conference. This con-
ference was hailed as . great step
toward lifting the burden Of arm.
aments from the people Of the