The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-06-23
AHirmations
Affirmafions
Tuesdays S s's sE I3ti e. soHo2;xr

Il Is true that In a two-party sys.
tenn democracy the party in oppo-
sition opposes. It is also true that
theoretically this constant oppo-
sition safeguards the people from
the tyranny OF those In power.
The opposition serves as a check,
4 brake, q control upon the auto
cracy OF opinion and selt.will which
is Characteristic OF all who gain
power over others.
Nevertheless, even opposition
may be affirmative. Christianity
is opposed to heathenism: yet
Christianity is an affirmative re.
ligion. It does not say that Zeus,
Baal, Jupiter, Wotan. Kuanyin are
no good. It does say: am the
Lord thy God. And in the Apos-
ties Creed every word Is an atfir-
nation. Yet. those words were
the statement OF principle, OF faith,
Of an oppositional group in a
decadent Roman empire. Every
doctrine in both the Old and New
Testaments is aimed TO correct
existing abuses. II Is opposition
but affirmative opposition.
There are three schools Of
thought concerning the Republi.
can platform:
l. One group says the party In
opposition opposes. It lights out
at the party in power and shows up
its errors, It's toibles. Its wicked
ness, its cupidity. And that is all
that 1t need do. To offer an az
firmative program provides the ad-
versary with openings which may
even be to his advantage. The
theory seems to be opposition for
opposition's sake.
2. Another group advocates a
cagey policy. Say nothing that
may prove a liability. Avoid pos
itiveness.. They believe that the
American people will vote for or
against Roosevelt and that the
course OF events will determine
the trend Of public opinion. They
feel that the Republicans must
avoid becoming involved in the
liabilities OF discussion of the con-
duct OF the war or OF international
relations. They hope to be able
TO avoid positive what they cal
lnerable-statement on these
subjects. They are hopeful that
the Republican candidate may
breeze in on the anti.Roosevelt
vote without any pledges or COM
mitments.
8. There Is another element
among the Republicans who re-
gard these attitudes as nihilistic.
IL not even contemplate. Cur
iously enough those who compose
this element are among the most
ardent Willkieites and the most ar
dent Hooverites. Disagreeing on
policy, they agree that there can
be no virtue in cowardice. Advo-
Gates of different economic and
social theories, they confirm the
truism that a party exists to af-
firm its faith, to state its princi.
pies, to assume its obligations TO
the American people without fear
OF personal disadvantage.
Willkie may be wrong In many
respects, as | believe he is. in his
articles instructing the Republi-
can party. but these articles pre-
sent affirmations, beliefs. concepts.
discussable statements OF fact and
faith. II you agree with Willkie,
you know precisely what you are
agreeing with; II you disagree. it
is possible to point to error and
difference OF viewpoint. Had Will
kie written those articles six
months ago, his position In the
Republican party would today still
be important. His critics then,
among whom I was one, complain
ed. as 1t Is impossible to complain
now. that no one knew precisely
where he stood on any question.