Evening star., 1945-11-26

In New York-the American Labor
party and the Liberal party, to say
nothing of the Communist party
are coming to play has brought out
more clearly than before the neces-
sity for the maintenance of the two
party system-that is, If the Nation
Is to remain healthy.
At any rate, such is the view of
many thoughtful men who feel that
the lack of character and sense
among the national Republican
leaders which led them in three
campaigns to initiate the New Deal
and foolishly bid for the support of
the so-called liberals" and pro-
fessional labor leaders stands in the
way of a strong two-party system
and thus damages the national in
terests and paralyzes party pros
poets.
Degenerated Into Blocs.
Their argument seems sound. Ten
democratic governments, it is point
ed out, set up in Europe after the
World War, failed largely because
they could not concentrate into two
major parties. They degenerated
into bloc governments, survived for
a few years through compromise and
negative action. Then they died.
But, it is urged, the basic purpose
of two major parties is much wider
than this. They must present al
tentative programs and issues. 1t
is only thus that our revolutions
are at the ballot box and not by
street mobs.
The natural division between men
in private life is conservatism and
radicalism. Today, with us, the
radicals on the cleft" are organized
and vigorous; the conservatives on
the right" are unorganized and i'm
potent.
The American people have a right
to an organized expression of con-
servative thought. 1t is no crime
to be conservative. Neither Is it
''Fascism" nor reaction" A con-
servative is not allergic to new ideas.
He only wants to try them out SLOW
" and without destroying what we
have that is good.
In the last IL years the Demo-
cratic party has pre-empted the
radical field. And the radical par
ties are infected with bureaucracy,
with Socialism and Communism.
During this time the Republican
party has been divided and uncer-
tain.
If the Republicans really believe
In the two-party system and want
to prevent the disintegration of
their own party, it is argued, they
would at once take the conservative
position and gladly declare it. The
Democrats completely hold the rad
ical fort. They cannot be dislodged
from it. There is no room for the
Republicans in it,tand no position
to the left of it.
Toward Disappearance.
Republicans have tried to COM
promise, they have tried to outdo
the radicals in promises and they
have straddled repeatedly. The re-
suits have been bad for the party
and bad for the country. If they
continue along these lines the Re-
publican party will as certainly dis
appear as did the old Whig party.
Eventually a conservative party
will come into power as a result of
radical excesses and accumulated
blunders, which are inevitable for
any party too long in power. The
Republicans should take the con-
servative position without apologies,
but with pride in conservative prin-
cipIes and the service they offer to
the country. 1t Is absurd to be
afraid of the word.
Whatever party opposes the radi-
Gals will be smeared. That is the
radical technique, but 1t is losing
its effectiveness. Soon or late the
American people as a whole see
through the smears.
The Republicans should stop