The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1940-09-26

OIlkCO OldtCc.
We come to this decision with no
regard either for party names or
political consideration. Rather our
decision is based on the best analy-
sis we can make of the normal
problem confronting the United
States of America. We have reached
this conclusion, which seems inev-
liable to us, with the regret which
decent people feel about breaking
old ties.
For close to a hundred years the
Plain Dealer has refrained from sup
porting for President any other than
Democratic candidates. We say this
in no spirit OF apology or OF boast
fitness. On occasions we were prob
ably wrong.
Now for the first time we depart
from this century-old Plain Dealer
tradition. We recommend the de-
feat of democrat who is seeking
a third term to the presidency.
II any one reads into this an act
of desertion, we insist that the re-
suit rests on the shoulders of Mr..
Roosevelt and not on ours.
The Plain Dealer chooses to re-
main Democratic. The Roosevelt
administration, by contrast, has
abandoned the democracy of Jeffer-
son, Jackson, Cleveland and Wilson.
The Plain Dealer elects to abide
by the idea that the country should
make social progress as fast as it can
pay for it, whereas, Mr.. Roosevelt
has attempted, not a liberal, but a
radical goal The only possible out
come Of his policies, as we see it,
is state socialism, followed newt
ably by some form Of Fascism.
Under our system of government,
il a sufficient majority can be OBJ
tanned to amend the Constitution in
a given direction, America may
adopt any form of government,
known or to be known, by man.
But we should proceed frankly
and openly to such basic changes as
these and accomplish them in the
democratic way, by popular ma
jorities on candidly expressed pro-
posals.. Never should we agree, if
we hope to remain democrats, to a
subtle and unacknoNledged trans
formation of our state of society
Eight years ago we supported
Franklin D. Roosevelt with bound
less enthusiasm. Four years ago we
supported him with some misgiv-
ings, The course of events since
then, eliminating in the Presidents
ill-disguised and successful maneu-
yer for q third term nomination,
forces upon us the conviction that
we can no longer support the Pres
ident whom this newspaper helped
twice to elect
The Democratic national platform
OF 1882 was liberal, fortnight and
courageous Standing on that dec
laration OF principles Governor
Roosevelt as = candidate for Presi-
dent was imprognahle. Had the
tenets Of that platform been obeyed
the United States would today be
in . far better situation-financial-
", economically. politically-than
it now is.
To most Americans the history of
this period is too fresh in mind to
justify repeating its lessons.
Instead Of establishing policies Of
economy in government, Mr.. Roose-
welt inaugurated a regime of i'm
mense and largely uncontrolled ex-
penditure. In period when the
United States was at peace he dou-
bled the national debt. He spon-
sored a program OF gold purchase
at inflated prices. (which resulted in
cornering three-quarters of the
worlds supply and burying it in
the Kentucky hills. He subsidized
the silver producers at public ex-
pense to the tune of more millions.
Contrary to experience and the
lessons OF economy. he used unnum-
bered millions in a vain effort to
borrow and spend his way back
to prosperity. He paid farmers for
not raising crops. He killed pigs to
improve the hog market He pun
ished business and said that he did
it to help men whose welfare de-
ponds on business.
He campaiened on the class issue
by denunciation OF economic roy
ahsts." He filled the ranks Of his
administration with radicals, left
list thinkers and social experiment.
ers. He obtained the support OF
John l. Lewis by Indicating much OF
his authority 10 labor. He kept Sec
rotary Perkins in the cabinet and
remained deaf to complaints that
she, Chairman Madden and many
other Of his appointees were furnish
ing protection for radical elements
on the labor front.
He tried to persuade congress,
which proved wiser than himself,
to pack the United States supreme
court and bring it under the thumb
OF the executive. STOPPING from his
high position as president of all
the people he prosecuted country
wide purge" Of Democrats who had
refused to do his bidding.
Mr.. Roosevelt's eliminating Of
tense against his party, his country
and the worldwide spirit of de-
mocracy stood clearly revealed in
the hollow and theatrical circum-
stances of his third term nomination
at the Chicago convention. The
talk OF drafting the president
for the run Is veriest nonsense His
whole strategy for a year before
the convention was to make impos-
sible the conventions choice of any
other candidate.
No other Democrat was allowed