Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-10-26
RENOUNCES PARTY
FOR PACT STAND
Clinton Preacher Will Vote for
Cox and League.


CLINTON, Ind, Oct 26.--The Rev.
George L. Francis, pastor of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church of this city, has
made a public statement of why he is
going to vote for Cox and Roosevelt and
the League of Nations, although Re-
publican of lifelong standing.
81 am an American and Republican
he says, but don't think half as much
Of my Republicanism as 1 do of my
Americanism.
I'm other words, I am not partisan
Republican.
1.-THE issues of this campaign are not
partisan, but they are issues that involve
justice, fidelity, human brotherhood and
the Nations honor.
Every other issue is eclipsed by the
League of Nations and no question since
the Civil War has bulked so large In
human thought as this
when the league covenant was
brought to this country 1t met with the
approval of the rank and file Of Ameri-
can people.
1.-THE Republican party, save for the
senatorial oligarchy, Endorsed the league
with certain protecting safeguards and
reservations.
1.-The American people are a unit and
since have been for the league.
"Ihe best minds of the country urged
the adoption of the league, including
Taft, Hoover, Lowell, Root. Wicker
sham, Lowden, Wood, Eliot, Hadley, the
American Federation of Labor and col
leges and universities"
DISAPPOINTED AT
HARDING's SELECTION.
The Rev. Mr. Francis says he was dis
appointed at the outcome Of the Chicago
Republican convention. but resolved 10
stand under the Republican standard, be
lieving that inasmuch as Senator Hard
ing voted in the Senate for the league.
with reservations, l was confident that
after he had studied and debated the
document for more than a year that in
all probability his vote registered his
hnal and permanent judgment on the
document.
II recall that during the heat OF the
debate in the Senate, the Mems Bible
Glass OF my church sent kilograms 10
Senators New and Watson. urging them,
on behalf OF the men Of that organiza- =
ton 10 support the League of Nations
and hasten it, adoption with American
safeguards and reservations.
Both Of the Senators acknowledged
the wire with letter written over their
personal signature and each pledged his
support toward securing the adoption OF
the league with American safeguards and
reservations.
Both OF these communications were
read before the class"
The Rev Mr. Francis says since Sena-
tor Harding has started his campaign
It has been difficult TO understand just
what is his attitude on the league until
his Des Moines speech, in which he said
he wished to turn his back on the
league"
DIES MONIES SPEECH
SETTLES HIM.
THAT settles the question" said the
Rev. Mr.. Francis. at IS either league
or no league.
81 have turned my back on Senator
Harding and the Senatorial minority
who have manipulated the Republican
party from the commencement Of the
lea que discussion to the present hour.
II &m not leaving the party. but the
party has left me. md unless am mis-
taken there arc many Republicans who
refuse to wear rings in their noses even
for the Lodges and Penroses. the BorahA
and the PoIndextcrs for the sake OF win
ming a partisan victory ut the polls 81
~" "a F'A9V Ns ~ e4NeA@ H'"t" btthNAFAN-
81 stand today just where Mr.. Hard
ing stood until his masters bought bis
soul
''I stand exactly where the rank and
file Of the Republican party have left me.
~ shall vote the Democratic ticket IN
November because this party alone ex-
presses my convictions on this question.
This I am glad to do and glad
have the liberty 10 do IL
III the American people win read the
league aud then 20 to the polls and vote
the sentiment OF the Lords prayer, they
will 90 on record as keeping faith with
the aspirations Of civilization"