The Daily Alaska empire., 1949-02-14
GOD HATES
 A COWARD

The Oregonian reprints a much discussed editorial, giving advice to the Republican party, which appeared in the Omaha World Herald coinc.dent with the meeting in Omaha of the Republican Ma ticnal Committee. Our own com ment will De found in today's edi- torial columns Editors note.
 That's gospel truth. If any witness were needed to attest it the Republican party of 193S- l948 would more than suffice.
 For 12 years the Republican party has been coward; the worst kind of coward a moral coward. In consequence it be- gins to take on the appearance of something the cat dragged in.
 It is hard to define as an entity the Republican party or any ether large group of people, since however closely banded together all cannot think alike in all re- spects. But, speaking broadly, the Republican party consists of men end women who in firm conviction are opposed to the swift trend to- ward the omnipotent state that IS sweeping over every section of the earth. Whether it be defined as communism, fascism, socialism, totalitarianism, statism, the new deal, the insurance state, these men and women regard it as thing of definite menace, however cunningly disguised, and however ardently supported by good but misguided people.
 But the Republican, party has lacked the courage to say what it's rank and file believe. Out of hunger for the flesh pots it has lacked the patriotism, the loy- atty, to stand up for the free republic of the founding fathers and to fight for it. Due to that lack or moral courage, of loyalty to the American creed, the United States, almost the sole remaining hulwark against the advancing tide, finds itself without spokes- man, without champion to pro- claim and battle for its traditional, glorious creed. And it finds the once-so- firm foundations of its temple crumbling.
 The fact is known of all men.
 Here, too, in our own America, the state is taking control and ownership of the people. It Is using the power to tax to destroy their independence and self-re- liance. It is converting free men into vassals and dependents. It IS deycuring the substance of self supporting people to render them self supporting no longer, and to establish condition of universal reliance upon the biased paternal- ism of a Great White Father-a father corrupted and corrupting, since great power does corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
 And the Republican party has not dared resist the tide; it has gone along with it. Not out of conviction, but out of cowardice. It has not dared to be Daniel; to have a purpose and to make 1t known. It's plea for votes has been the shameful one: Give us the offices. the power, and we'll give ycu as much of what we believe to be wrong as will the Democrats themselves.
 Americans do not respond to any such appeal. They, too, hate a coward. They despise hypoc- risy. They hunger for a leader ship of good faith. They will ac- cept a brave and fighting leader ship tainted even with Pendergast- ism and absolutism rather than a leadership that 'crawls-ano Iraiss it's flag.
 What wonderful thing it would be if the Republican national committee meeting here in Omaha, if other constituted Republican leaders, could realize how desper- ately these United States need an honest and brave Republican party .. how true R ep u b. licans above all others hunger and thirst for it! A Republican party to raise high the flag of a loyal opposition! Opposition not alone to misguided and recreant Demo- cratic party here at home, but op- position tenacious and resolute, brave and unyielding, to all the monstrous wrong and error that today menaces freedom, self-re-