Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-12-10
Danger to COP Seen
In Conservative Stund

In Conservative Stond
Observer Questions Gov. Green's
Views, Finds Hope in Stassen's
By David Laurence
1t has long been an adage in national
politics that conventions and commit
tees may proclaim platforms but candi-
dates really write them in their CAM
paign speeches.
While the Republican members OF
the House and Senate have been trying
to agree on q set Of words which the
Republican National Committee last
week considered at Chicago, 1t re-
manned for former Gov. Harold Stassen
OF Minnesota, just out OF the Navy
where he served with the Sd Fleet. to
present In public speech In New York
4 real platform.
1t is too early to say that Mr. Stassen
is the spokesman for the Republican
party because Gov. Dwight H. Green Of
Illinois made a speech, too. and If the
party agrees with Gov. Green instead Of
Mr.. Stassen, the whole subject might AZ
we'll be considered academic and Presi-
dent Humans reelection may be re-
| garded as foregone conclusion.
Gov. Green expresses very sincerely
and forthrightly point OF view tenaci-
ously held by many conservative Repub.
licans who are SO convinced OF the right
| ness OF their conservatism that they at
tribute all the major defeats the party
! has suffered since 1882 to a failure to
be even more positively or emphatically
conservative than the Republican candi-
dates have been.
Reason for Defeat.
The Illinois Governor reflects UNI
doubtedly in his expressions on foreign
policy some of the same sentiments
which made prewar isolationism so
powerful in the Middle West in the
congressional elections, only to be off,
set by huge Democratic gains in con-
gressional seats elsewhere In the presi.
Dental elections.
| Undoubtedly the history Of politics
shows that protest vote accumulates
in due time and turns the incumbent
party out Of office but also it shows
that the winning party had either a
slogan or cause or a program that
seemed an alluring alternative.
| The chief reason the Republican
party has not been winning elections is
that 1t is heavily weighed down by its
conservative wing, which earnestly but
misguidely thinks the American way Of
life and freedom and all the other
slogans so often used merely mean the
right tn ignore the economic plight Of
persons less fortunate than themselves
and the right to conduct the profit sys-
tenn without regard to what happens to
the mass of workers
The Democratic party has its handi-
caps in the ultraconservative South but
fortunately for It's political experience
the Southern Democrats vote for the
party In elections no matter how radi-
cal their brethren happen to be, whereas
in the case OF the Republican party 1t
cannot insure the continued adherence
OF Republican voters who are independ-
ent, progressive or liberal.
Undiluted Views.
This correspondent, for example
would not vote the Republican ticket on
the basis Of the generalities proposed
last week at Chicago to the Republican
party but would be tempted by the plat
form enunciated by former Gov. Stassen
before the National Association Of Man
ufacturers, and II the Stassen concept
were not accepted there would be only
one thing to do-to support President
Truman.
Maybe other individuals who likewise
have no party ties and who have never
considered themselves members Of either
party would probably feel the same way.
Certainly the Stassen speech shows an
awareness OF current problems and 4
determination to deal with them fairly
for all concerned. There is q certain
assurance of fairmindedness and ohiec-
tivity in Mr.. Stassen's approach. He Is
not willing even before so conservative
group as the National Association Of
Manufacturers to dilute his views and
resort to vague phrases or balanced SEN
fences in which the platforms of parties
usually abound.
Mr.. Stassen has been away on the
bridge OF fighting battleship but he
seems nevertheless to have q remark
able grasp Of what's going on in America
at the moment and he does not hesitate
to come to grips with some Of the most
controversial issues of the day. Gov
Thomas E. Dewey last year in some OF
his speeches also strayed from the con-
servative doctrine of the party. If Gov.
Green is right and the Republicans
begin to feel they must repudiate Wen
dell Willkie, Gov. Dewey and Mr.. Stas-
sen, 1t may well be wondered how many
more elections, If, any will be needed to
extinguish the Republican party Al
together.
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! Hurd Facts