The Ypsilanti daily press., 1946-04-04
DEMOCRACY THREATENED
Is our democracy threatened?

Is our democracy threatened!
First. what is a democracy web
ster defines democracy as follows:
"A form OF government in which
the supreme power Is retained by
the people. but Is indirectly exer-
cised through a system OF repre-
sentation and delegated authority,
periodically renewed"
During a recent election In this
city the term democracy" was
thrown around as loosely and care
lessly as a bunch OF school boys
kicking around a football. Some i'm
piled that we are losing our dem
ocracy by asking why sacrifice
our democracy" Others argued
that democracy was threatened be-
cause the city manager was to be
appointed by the city council, and
In case OF any irregularity the man
ager could not be reached by the
party aSgrieved; yet In my II years
Of residence in this city have new
er heard this argument used
against our city treasurer or our
superintendent OF schools-exactly
analogous to the city manager form
Of government. Others argued that
we might have q dishonest mana
ger.
II anyone thinks that democracy
or any other form o: government
,4-ff1 a1tp,fnata anv ~ ali dIahA0-
esty he had better review his his
tory. This is a chance that every.
one must take in any business.
The President Of the United
States Is the head Of all the cabinet
officials: yet II is several steps
down to the man who brings US our
mail, or fixes our rents. yet we like
to think that we still have a dem
ocracy.
The devil can quote scripture
for his purpose" Then again we
ask, Is the foundation OF our dem
ocracy threatened? My answer Is,
most emphaucally. yes.
In the recent G. NJ. strike 1t was
reported that only about 20 per
cent OF 175,000 members vo:ed-a
strike that resulted in a loss OF
we'll over one billion dollars.
In a recent primary election In
this city some OF the ward reports
showed only about 10 per cent OF
the qualified electors went TO the
polls. In our recent charter cleo
ton only about one third OF the
qualified electors determined the
course OF this city perhaps for
yeare.
Right here let me hasten TO say
that am not finding fault with
the results Of the election. I have
the utmost faith in the integrity OF
our city officials. My point is that
we may lose our democracy
through disuse.
ill fares the land TO Fastening
Ills a prey. where wealth accumu-
lates and men decay" But. says
one. when there's a real Issue
then get out and vote" Poor ex-
cuse. Democracy should be made
of "sterner stuff than the further
ance OF some personal ambition.
Each individual should feel that he
Tor she) Is a part OF a great sys-
tenn and that system Is not 100 per
cent without his vote. Another seri-
ous threat to our democracy is
Power Politics cs"-legislation by
blocS. Earl Browder, erstwhile can
didate for president OF the United
States on the Communist ticket.
Boss Kelly. mayor OF Chicago. and
Sidney Hillman. both with Com
munistic leanings, openly boast
that they can control 100000
votes and can force any legislation
that they may desire-less than 10
per cent OF the population OF the
United States. Is this democracy?
And II anyone doubts the truth Of
their statements, all he has 10 do
Is to look at the fate Of the Case
Bill-passed by nearly two thirds
vote of the'House, and sent TO the
Senate where II Is quietly slumber-
ing in a pigeophole Of a Senate
committee, while more than three
months were spent Investigating
the Pearl Harbor disaster (water
over the dam) while everyone knew
where the trouble lay before the In
vestigation started.
Another time killing device IS
fha atom hNunh Ever ainca the