The Sidney herald., 1956-08-23

/ line with a historical trend In
American political reaction. For
quite a number of decades the
drift has been toward such poll
cies as were advocated by The
odore Roosevelt and Woodrow
Wilson and then, in more vio-
lent form, by Franklin d. Roos-
evelt, followed by Harry Tru-
man. But after a period of adj
vance in this direction, there
always has been a swing back
toward center. The country en-
tered such a phase as a result
of the 1852 election and appar-
emily is not yet ready to depart
from it.
What the Democrats demon
strated at their Chicago con-
vention - despite their speeches
and platform pronouncements-
is that they presently wish to
avoid extremes. Their rebuke
of Harry Truman was more sig
nificant even than the north
south controversy over the civil
rights plank.
1t is probably a reasonable as
sumption that the real purpose
of Harry Truman's fight for Av-
erell Hartman was to reinstate
in the White House the New
Fair Deal policies and philoso-
phies in their most vigorous form.
No one has been a nor undo
Waiting apostle of these doctrines
than Governor Hartman, who
because of his great wealth and
background of great wealth
would appear to be a contradic-
ton of the liberalism he pro-
fesses.
Mr.. Truman's actions at the
convention carried the inference
that he considered himself owner
and master of the Democratic
party and could at his pleasure
force it to bow to his will. The
overwhelming first-ballot victory
of Adlai Stevenson and the poor
showing of Averell Hartman
was indeed eloquent proof that
he can no longer dictate to the
Democratic party,
Times have changed. Many of
those who, a few years ago, wor-
shipped at the Truman political
do SO no more 1t would
appear that to practical politi-
clans Mr.. Truman has become
a liability. For example, there
is Montana's Sen. Mike Mans
field, who is exceedingly adept
at getting over on the right side.
. few hours before the nominal
ton Senator Mansfield was quot
ed in the press to the effect that,
as he saw it, Truman'S opposi-
ton would be more of an asset
han a handicap to Stevenson
The way it has worked out has
been a big break for Adlai."
If my recollection is correct,
not so long ago the senator had
nothing but the most laudatory
and a~ppreciative words about the
nan from Missouri, but in view
IF the political situation created
by MIR. Truman, Mr.. Mansfield
hardly be blamed for be-
less enthusiastic over the
former president.
Arnold Olsen, chairman of the
Montana delegation, got himself
attention back home when he
seconded the Hartman nominal
ion and was Immediately follow
I'd, for the same purpose, by Mr..
Truman. Besides speaking glow
ngly about the great Treasure
tate, he mentioned the plight of
he farmers, whom Averell Harri-
nan would assertedly free from
heir economic chains. Arnie did
neat job of it, and l wouldn't
riticize him for contriving him
elf this exceptional opportunity
or making political hay.
AT this writing the Republican
invention is just in the offing. /
he Republicans will have no :,
larry Truman to gum up the !
but they have their Har- !
Id Stassen, resolved, if he can, :
D nail Dick Nixon's hide on :
ne barn door. In Chicago, the !
democrats viewed with alarm. :
n San Francisco, the Republic !
ans will point with pride. That I
politics. I