The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1919-06-27


Illinois in dragging the religious is-
sue into the discussion of the league
of nations is deeply deplored by
many of his colleagues who are op-
posed to the league. They urged him
not to adopt this course. because
they preferred that the discussion
should proceed as it was begun
upon the merits of the propositions
involved.
By the same token the round rob-
in signed by % prominent New
York Republicans and addressed to
the New York senators urging that
political partisanship should have
no place in the consideration on its
merits of the constitution Of the
league of nations" is a piece of eff
frontery. since it is predicated upon
the assumption that Republican
senators who are opposed to the
league are moved solely by political
considerations. This is an unwar-
ranted assumption and places the
opposition in a false light before the
public.
Consideration of this great ques-
tion-admitted by all to be one of
the most important, if not in fact
the most important, eyer before the
American people-should be based
upon the merits of the issue. Moth
ing is to be gained by imputing I'M
worthy motives to one side or the
other; on the contrary, such course
only beclOuds the real questions in
volyed and makes them more diff
cult of comprehension. Every SEN
ator upon taking a seat in the
United States Senate subscribes to
an oath to protect and defend the
Constitution" If questions arise
which in his judgment threaten to
weaken or destroy the Constitution
he is bound by his oath to resist
them. Senators, perhaps uncon-
sciously, are influenced to some ex-
tent by party affiliations as they are
by personal predictions, but it is
their duty to keep themselves free
to the extent that they are compe-
tent in good faith to fulfill their
oath to protect and defend the
Constitution, no matter how it may
affect their political interests.
Charges of partisanship fall fiat
upon an examination of the speeches
which have been delivered on both
sides of the league of nations ques-
ton in the Senate. With few ex-
ceptions these debates have been
confined strictly to the merits of the
issue, each side protesting the same
ideals and hopes for humanity and
the same yearning for a lasting
peace. but differing in their opin-
ions as to the efficacy of the league
Senators Lodge. Knox, Borah and
Reed in opposition to the league,
and McCumber, Hitchcock, Walsh,
of Montana, and Thomas, in sup
port OF it, have presented able argu-
ments to sustain their positions.
Their speeches stand as refutation
of the suggestion that senators are
animated by partisanship rather
than by their honest judgment
The fact that the discussion is
proceeding in this orderly and prop
er manner, in the main, both in the
Senate and upon the hastings, makes
it appear all the more desirable that
some means should be provided az
suggested in the Knox resolution,
by which peace cauld be arrived at
quickly and the question of the
league of nations left for more ma
ture deliberation. If this debate
could go on for a few months until
every point at issue is thrashed out
and the people have been enabled
to form their own judgment respect
ing them, a national decision could
be reached which would be final and
right. In the interest of free and
unobstructed interchange of views
no attempt should be made to drag
in extraneOus matters or to influence
the course of senators by political
threats or demonstrations Let this
momentous issue be considered
solely upon its merits"