Sta,—In your article on the dock strike you state: "If
Communist candidates for Parliament can persuade a majority of the electorate to vote for them they have every right to be returned and sit. To deny that would be to deny the most elementary principles of democracy." It is certainly feasible and perhaps desirable in some ways for a democracy to have some Communist members of Parliament. But suppose a majority of Communist members were elected. This would most assuredly mean the end of democracy. Is it one of the "most elementary principles of democracy" that a democracy has the right to commit suicide? Does democracy imply that an election accident or a whim of a moment can be allowed to destroy that which has been painfully created over a period of many centuries?
The possibility may seem remote and the principle involved may seem abstract only. This princi9le, however, is today the main issue in the various trials and investigations of Communists in America which are often superciliously treated in the British Press. These investigations may be maladroit and seem so especially in Press reports that embody only a few surface facts. But they are undertaken to vindicate one of the most elementary principles of American deniocracy: that organisa- tions conspiring to destroy democracy cannot be allowed to work towards their end within that democracy. This, of course, does not absolutely protect the democratic framework, but it tends to do so by preventing the facilities of that framework being used for its own destruCtion. I will not argue the issue further here, but I do suggest that the "elementary principle of democracy," the validity of which you assume, is not so inevitable or generally recognised as your statement, quoted above, would make it appear The success of the Communists in stirring up the dock strike ought to surprise no one, considering the industrial atmosphere of today. The trade union leaders of the nation have gone into the Government or have become agents of the Government in promoting governmental policies. Having leaders in name but lacking them in fact, the workers are ready for irresponsible leadership that will campaign for their special interests, which arc not identical to the general interests of society, and this leader- ship the Communists are ready to supply. Hence all these unofficial strikes, Comgiunist-inspired and otherwise, which seem so inexplicable. Until the trade union leaders dissociate themselves from the Government, or until a more dreamy stage of classless bliss is reached, this condition will obtain and the Communists will have splendid openings for their talents.—Very truly yours, CHAS. WHITING GARDNER.
40 Long Lane, Church End, Finchley, N.3.
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