Show Shades o of Statecraft By RICHARD I WOOTTON 1 1 a T the most fundamental U U discussion arising in consequence of the Democratic victory is whether or not the democratic form fonn of go government nt is best This has always been a a serious question question question ques ques- tion but why it is being raised raise l just now nov is obvious However if the Republicans had won VOll sides would be quite different in this discussion Inasmuch as a basic concept of democratic democratic democratic demo demo- cratic government is that the majority can generally distinguish between truth and untruth un th if both a are pres presented en t d there is ample reason for disagreement Democrats Democrats Demo Demo- rats rejoice in a de decisive victor victory of truth over misrepresentation a victory not only for the people and the Democrats but also for democratic government itself Of course l Republicans take issue with such conclusions Anyone who vho questions the wisdom of the election results questions the wisdom of democracy Republicans raise this tIlls question question question ques ques- tion and they are arc justified in doing so Surely the Democrats would have had they been defeated The justification is that their opposition the Democrats who Republicans are convinced do not champion truth have beaten them two TO to toone toone one at the polls A form of government under which error could gain so decisive a triumph h over truth would certainly be I undesirable i ibe The he history of the next four years will vill willbe willbe be a test not only of alarmist predictions I and of N New e Deal intentions but also of our ourI I form of government If the future proves N New er Deal policies wise vise the election result is evidence supporting democratic c gov gov- If on the other hand the pre pre- election prophesies of many nInny Republicans are arc fulfilled or the N New ev Deal in oth other r ways proves to be unsound the tho foundation foundation foundation tion of democratic government will viII have been undermined by this election Democratic government is on trial It is isa a defendant co-defendant with the N New ev Deal But if the New Deal is vindicated the theory of democratic government is not necessarily upheld There remains the disturbing possibility possibility pos pos- that Roosevelt received his overwhelming overwhelming over over- whelming vote because the majority was Tas swayed by increased sed prosperity ity rather than by prevailing truth t |