The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-07-31

n cnange IN pubic opinion Is ue-
veloping under which the so-called
liberal has become the reactionary.
and the reactlonary Is now the real
liberal.
When the wave Of liberalism swept
over Europe in the middle Of the
18th Century, it brought about great
political and social changes. It
sought to increase individual oppor-
tunities for freedom and curb the
powers Of autocratic governments
over the individual But Liberty was
only to be gained and held by ac-
ceptance Of the obligation TO assume
the greater individual responsibility
which goes with II.
France
In France, It resulted In the over
throwing of a decadent Imperialism
under Napoleon III. The weakness
of the French Republic which fol-
lowed, was that In the contests be-
tween royalty. the church and the
masses. there developed no center Of
responsibility by which the people
could speak with authority. A multi
plicity of parties came into power
in quick succession. Only by the de-
yious process Of political comprom-
ises did the prime minister hold his
position for more than a brief term
of months. In the twenty years be.
tween the close of World War and
the coming of World War II. there
were fourteen changes Of govern
ment In France. each tending TO dis
sipate the means OF maintaining
responsibility. Changing ministries
SHIFTED from right to left or vice
versa, with no clear regard to prtn-
clples. Scandal and graft finally rid
died the whole organization.
Germany
In Germany, progress towards lib
eralism In large part miscarried. II
succeeded to the extent OF dethron-
ing q system Of government under
which more than thirty-0dd inde-
pendent princes ruled their people
like vassals. An autoeratic empire
evolved under the control Of q mill
tant aristoeraey. The Emporer
welded, as Commander In Chief OF
the Army, the supreme authority.
There did result an increasing de.
gree Of recognition OF the rights Of
the people. although these lacked
any constitutional basis. The res
possibility rested on the Emperor
who ruled through the Army. The
responsibilities Of the people were
fiction, not a reality. Nonetheless.
Germany aourished for the ntty
years preceding World War ] hs
an industrial nation; accumulated
resources and built up respect fof
German efficiency and for German
culture. German scientists. doctors
authors, philosophers ana musicians
rarked high. and Germany became
The center OF study for foreign stu
dents.
IN England liberalism EXTENDED
human rights. and dependence upon
the responsibility OF the people loI
government went farther than " dld
IN France or Germany, The pTotec'
ton OF the weak against eSploilhs
lion has had as broad Teeognltlop
and announcement ~ Great bFl'
tain as IN any other country, TneFe
liberalism came 10 mean wider op'
portunitieg for men ana women 70
extend the exercise OF their liberties
hy saving and self-dlselplipe, us I'D
eralism has endured and not eeeay'
ed. largely because ultimate TespoD'
sibillty rests iIp the people,
unlte1 states
IN the United States our progress
toward liberalism IN the IONS run
was advanced and not hlndeFeo py |
the industrial revolution ana me
ciyii war. However, our history ~ |
the years immediately following
that wsT, during the days og we
carpet, bag governments W We
south, was the most Illuminating %
our existence IN its denial Of me
rights OF local self government ans
n the crushing Of the rlsbls % w
dlVldual freedom Of the negro Feeb
The BRaeti0neFT
To-day II Is difficult ~ ne vDltss
States 10 distinguish between Wls
principles Of the liberal a0d the re-
dictionary, TheSs prIneiples ere pol
defined BY the platforms Aenegee
10 By different political peTtlss'
whether one Is q liberal or . Fenes
t0lnaTy has come " depeDa, W Vle
minds Of many, upon whesbsF esle
Is IN tayer Of ~ opposes 70 ne
esanting Of more privileges H. tefs
tain gT0nns Of the population, VIM
ont responsibility f0r their exercise,
and ~ the expense Of fhe libersies
ag other groups, The farmer wnS y
opposed 70 ne Appeass,Sent o. ~
BOZ Is leekee upon as . "Feaetleps
aFv" ~ the eyes Of organized labor, |
TIE lndllsigiallst who u striving 70
Increase productivity NJ lellsll, 70
reduce the cost 0f llla pFoauek ~.
tend bis markets, TFoGAet eAplteI
and Increase aInplos ment, . eoDhles
cred . "TeaeiienaFy' 70 ,hose VINO
aFe living upon glkes saieftes when
havs not advaneads-tlosa pollsls
clans who ere seeking 70 buy votes
~ the expense Of IN people regard
less OF tie ultimate effect o. their
policies upon the country, are ne
zeal FeaetIonaFles,
THE liberals Of yesterday have b.
come the @FeaetI0naFies" Of today,
These fnissealled liberals" Of tos
day, ere net working To- an eKieIs
sion Of libeFilef, blli age actually