Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-10-03
The Republican Platform.

1t cannot be said that the platform |
adopted by the Republican State Conven-
ton at its meeting yesterday is an inspir-
ing document. The declaration in favor Of
the merit system with regard to the State |
Offices is a welcome one because, as a re-
suit Of it, all members of the Legislature, |
elected this fall will be committed to that
reform. whether they be Democratic or Re-
publican. But here. clearly, the Republi-
can Convention was but following the lead |
of the Democratic Convention. What was
a boldly courageous thing for the latter to
do was. with the former. work of neces-
sity. On the other hand, the equally cour-
aeeous action Of the Democratic Conven-
ton in taking fiat-footed stand on the
woman suffrage question has not been
initiated by the Republicans They have
weakly omitted all mention Of woman
suffrage and have only indirectly referred
to the question in the plank pledeing the
party to the principle of the submission of
all amendments to the Federal Constitu-
ton to the people. This may be prudent,
but II is certainly not manly.
The references to the Democratic State
administration are about what might have
been expected. No answer to the specific
record Of achievement by this administra-
ton quoted in the Democratic platform is
attempted. The aspersions upon the sin
certify Uf the Democratic pledge Of merit
system come with bad grace from party
which once pledged itself to a referendum
to the people on this subject and then
ruthlessly disreearded its pledge after it
had secured control of the State govern
ment-to the great disgust Of the honor
able members Of the party.
The paragraphs disparaging the Wilson
administration, like the corresponding para
graphs in the Democratic platform eulogiz-
ing that administration, are largely in the
nature Of buncombe, for the course Of ma
tional affairs will not be affected by the
result Of the State election in Maryland
this fall. no matter which party is success
full. But it is in accordance with prece-
dent and therefore not to be condemned
too seriously. But there is an amusing
tinge to the comment on the peace treaty.
Rarely have we seen so much smoke and so
little fire. or. to use the Presidents phrase,
so much heat and so little light. I'VE be-
lieve." says this plank, erandly, that a
treaty of peace based on this victory should
permit no surrender Of our national SOW
ereienty. We stand firmly against pro-
visions which would take from Congress
the constitutional right to declare war and
to determine when our armed forces should
be sent to foreign countries; which would
interfere with the absolute control over
our domestic affairs. such as immigration
and the tariff laws which would in any
way abridee the policy of the United States
as laid down in the Monroe Doctrine I;
which would impose upon this country
any obligation to NEEDLE in the disputes
among foreign nations. We favor reser-
vations that will preserve American rights
and sovereignty to the American people. ="
What that clause about this country
meddling in foreign disputes means the
convention prudently refused to specify.
For the rest. every one Of the guarantees
so firmly stood for and so urgently de-
manded is already included in the cove
nant of the League Of Nations. That doc
ument was carefully drawn with the knowl-
edge that the constitutional right of Con-
sress to declare war could not be abridged,
and. of course. did not attempt to abridge
It.
For man like Senator johnson, who
wants the treaty rejected, one can have
respect. even If it is impossible to under
stand his point Of view. Respect also can
be accorded the man who wants the treaty
amended and is willing to suffer the evils
consequent upon amendment. But ii is a
little difficult to honor very highly those
who are afraid to say what they want.
and therefore content themselves with
words Of sound and fury. signifying moth
ing
But these matters have properly moth
ing to do with the State election in Mary
lnnd. On State issues. with the exception
Of the matters mentioned above. the plat
forms Of the Republican and Democratic
parties differ little. Where they do differ
the Democratic document is more out
spoken, more courageous and more sincere.