Evening star., 1949-02-08
A Conservative Party Anticipated

TO the Editor of The Star:
Alfred Lilienthal would ''revitalize" the
Republican Party by making it more
liberal" He means that the Republican
Party to succeed must copy the political
strategy of the Democratic Party. Others, in
Guiding many Republican leaders, are ad-
vocating the same thing. But surely this
country does not need two New Deal" or
Fair DEAL parties.
The Democratic Party has established it
self as the majority or dominant party Of
the country. The New Dealers captured the
votes of the industrial workers and a con-
siderable part Of the farm vote while still
holding the Southern States. The present
Fair Deal'' administration followed about
the same political strategy as the New Deal
ers but might have lost the election, II the
farmer vote had not been split between the
two parties.
What is this liberal program that Mr..
Lilienthal favors for both major parties or
more important. what major issues political,
economic and social are involved? While this
represents over -smplification, it can be said
that the so-called liberal program does not
call for "socialized" government. Used in
this sense. this word has no necessary con-
nection with socialism or communism. The
kind of government desired by most liberals
still would function through democratic
tivities of the government are greatly ex-
tended-more of the national income is COL
lected by the government while the field for
non-governmental agencies Is reduced. The
expansion of governmental activities, advo-
Gated by the liberals in America, Is likely at
least at first to be through social welfare
programs" involving health services, social
security. housing, etc. It will help define the
present issues If we refer to the program of
the New Dealers and liberals as an attempt
to socialize the Government. The present,
administration, representing the majority
party, favors such program, but to con-
siderable degree the Democratic Party now
has become the labor party of the country
though other large groups. including many
farmers and most of the South, have sup
ported the party.
Private Versus Government Initiative.
Though the Republicans, by becoming an
other liberal party, might share with the
Democrats the votes of the industrial work.
ers and others favoring a more socialized
government. yet at the best only temporary
success could follow such policy. The Re-
publican Party cannot succeed by trying to
outdo the Democrats. Fundamental issues
must be faced by both parties There is
urgent need for party which will represent
the views OF those who question the extension
Of Government activities. especially during
the present war emergency period; who
don't want labor government nor a govern
ment dominated by any other group These
people well could be called conservatives
though the terms liberal and conservative
have lost much of their meaning since the
time of Disraeli and Gladstone. There Is no
place in this country for a conservative party
which would be opposed to legislation in the
interests Of the national health. standards of
living, better working conditions. ETC.. but
the true conservative believes more substan-
tial and lasting progress can be made not
necessarily by increasing the scope and power
of the state but by encouraging and protect
ing private initiative and the activities of
nom governmental agencies.
It is inevitable that the activities of our
Government be increased but the conserva-
tive believes that such increases should come
slowly and should be made only when based
upon extensive experience. new knowledge
and the development of public understand.
Ing. Many liberals favor greatly increased
governmental programs because they believe
in an enlarged and more powerful state. In
sense the liberals believe in giving the state
very extensive. If not unlimited power, while
the conservative fayors a state with limited
power There undoubtedly are many liberals
in the Republican Party and many conserva-
tives who vote with the Democrats.
Issues Not Clear Hitherto.
During the last presidential campaign the
issues between the two major parties were
not clearly defined. Though the Republican
Party had been out of power for many years
Except fol a 'two-year period in Congress-.
the position of the party during the cam
paign in no real sense was that Of an op-
position party. While there is need for unity
in foreign matters especially during the pres
ent international situation, yet there should
have been opportunity for those opposed to
our foreign policy to express opposition at
the polls.
There is no future for a Republican Party
which would become so concerned in voting
benefits to organized groups that 1t would
not truly represent the voters among the
farmers, the laborers, business men and
others who are opposed to the present trend
towards a socialized state.
j. BLAINE GWIN.
Remington, Virginia.
Sixteenth Street BUS Service