The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-06-28
DEMOCRATS OPEN CONVENTION:
CHAIRMAN CUMMINGS ATTACKS
REPUBLICAN PARTY SAVAGELY Y

ed a remarkable document, remark
able in the fact that it is a mastery
exemplificaton of the art Of evasion
Not content with the direct insult to
the intelligence of the progressive ele-
ments wrongly placed in their ranks
| they once more surrendered the control
of their party to the old forces, against
whose influence, the common people re
belled until the great movement OF
progressivism drove it from power and
installed in its stead party truly
representative of the people.
"In marked contrast to the gather
ing of the opposition, we have met to-
day to deal with living issues and to
| advise the people of America and of
the world of Democraey's stand upon
the questions of the hour II is with
justifable confidence that we approach
the important work of presenting a
platform and naming a candidate, for
we offer to America an assurance based
on achievement. We present a pledge
founded on performance
"The Republican party would turn
backward, unmindful of the hopes and
aspirations of forward looking men and
women, and would have us restore to
power reaetionary forces which could
only result in ruin and disaster, but we
will continue to keep our eyes to the
front and will hold to the path that dur
ing eight glorious years has led Ameri-
ca to prosperity, peace and world lead
ership.
"0ur opponents speak to the people
in the language of yesterday. They see
only through the lenses of reaction.
Through years of retrogression their
party has now reached the decadent
stage. The Chicago platform stamps it
as party of destruction. Its declara-
ton of principles condemns but sug-
gests no remedy either for real or fap-
cied ills. 1t is out of tune with free
people everywheres it is out of har-
mony with the worlds desire; it no
longer as in the days Of its rebirth,
stands as giant ehampioning the
cause of freedom, but, dwarfed by loss
of principle. it has developed into
vicious, grabbed old scold
America win not look for leader
ship in that party; America will not
tolerate the leadership of that party.
Never, more than now, does our coun-
try look to democracy TO save it from
the course of national degradation pre-
scribed by Republicanism, or to save it |
from abject humiliation before the ma
tions of the earth.
"0ur party is almost as old as the |
nation itself. II was created when the !
forces of popular government assumed /
for the first time in the worlds history |
the direct conduct OF nation II has |
in growth and attainment.
II has kept pace with the time and has
measured the tread of the advancing /
host of liberal government.
Our party has never been an eva
sive party. II was not evasion that
made Thomas Jefferson the patron
saint Of democratic government: il was
not evasion that made Andrew Jackson
The personification of honesty and fear
essness; it was not evasion that made
he Democratic party of to-day the
champion of the worlds hopes, and
neither will il be evasion that will
make the nominee of this convention
he president of the Gnited States.
"Our party will present policies in
iirect and constructive way; the Re
publican platform is but an ingenious
levice meant to conceal irreconcilable
differences
I'm delivering our message to the
american people our party win raise
Is anchor upon the shores of honesty
ind steer unfalteringly through the
traits of courage.
with civilizations existence poop
rdized in the recent inferno of world
haos, America reached out its hand
o stray destructive forces. We placed
ier once more in her exalted position {
nd raised again the fallen torch from
whence radiates the light that tenn
'ers british hearts and softens hu- !
nan souls. The world is waiting to I
ear the decision Of the American cleo
crate upon the covenant of the league
( nations; a waTsworn world implores J
america TO take the lead in this great |
novement, and humsnity's voice cries I
ut imploringly to our great nation. {
Our country did not falter in its c
uty TO silence the guns OF war: our }
arty will not falter in its duty to per
etuate peace" s