The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1946-07-19
LOOKING
AHEAD
" GEORGE S. BENSON
/ presideKf--Harding College
Searrg Arkansas
Good Strategy

Congressman Hatton Summers, in
my opinion one of Americas great
est living statesmen, has announced
his purpose to retire at the end of
the 18th congress. This news first
appeared as dark cloud because
men like him are sorely needed to-
day, but in Washington last month
was shown the silver lining. Rep.
Summers is retiring to a more
strategic theatre of war.
The people of America have a dam
ger that is common to them all and
common duty to defend them
selves against it. This nations hope
for a bright future depends on
few facts being seen by great
many people at once. Americans
can be depended upon for action at
any time the truth is not hidden
from them or distorted beyond rec
ognition. Mr.. Summers will soon
start talking straight to them.
Powerful Truths
II have watched what my own
generation has been doing to
the greatest system of democratic
government ever evolved through
the processes of the ages said the
veteran lawmaker. "By ignoring
principles and the lessons of his
tory, accepting for our guidance the
theories of men and political ex-
pedience, we have made dependents
of our citizens and vassals of our
states.
"By concentration of power and
drafts on the Federal Treasury we
now have a bewildering govern
mental agglomeration impossible of
democratic control. Wasteful and
inefficient, by nature it is the instru-
mentality of favoritism, oppression
and corruption. 1t is the destroyer
of self-reliance, self-respect and self
governing ability without which no
people can remain free"
But There's Hope
A public awakening will save this
country from any form of tyranny.
Mr.. Summers does not doubt this.
He said, Washington is as sensi-
tive to the changing currents of pub
lie opinion as barometer is to re-
cord changes in the weather." If
acts of congress fail to reflect pub
lie sentiment, it is because such SEN
timent is itself confused or indis-
tinct to the majority.
Mr.. Summers is taking to the lee
ture platform. I wish him as wide
a hearing as his profound expert
ence deserves. Popular education
is the right place to start winning
for America future of freedom.
This man has seen Congress sweat
under heat applied by political pres
sure groups. He sees the need to
open a door and admit a cooling
draft of public sentiment. And he
can do it.
Remarkable Record
Born in Tennessee, Hatton Sum-
ners turned 81 in Texas. His con-
gressional district (Dallas) has kept
him in Washington 81 years by
electing him to the 63rd and all SUBJ
sequent congresses. He is sound
thinker and an eloquent speaker. He
is a nationally recognized authority
on Constitutional Law. He is chair
man of the House Judiciary Com
mittee and has been for long time
In a brief and eloquent word-pic-
ture of official Washington, the re-
firing crusader for decentralization
of power said. of Congress: '"The
political backing of well organized
minority is consistent and depend
able whereas the backing of an I'M
organized majority is tickle" That's
clear. An enlightened public opin-
ion must supplant loud and selfish
minorities as guiding stars of Con-
gress.