The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-28

'In marked contrast to the gather
ing of the opposition, we have met
today to deal with living issues and to
advise the people of America and of
the world of Democracy's stand upon
the questions of the hour. 1t is with
justifiable confidence that we ap-
proach the important work of pre-
senting a platform and naming a can
didate, for we offer to America an as
surance based on achievement. We
present a pledge founded on perform
ance.
Charges Reactionary Views.
THE Republican party would turn
backward. unmindful of the hopes and
aspirations of forwardlooking men
and women, and would have US re-
store to power reactionary 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 during eight glorious
years has led America to prosperity,
peace and world leadership.
Our opponents speak to the people
in the language of yesterday. They
see only thru the lenses of reaction.
Thru years of retrogression their party
has now reached the decadent stage.
The Chicago platform stamps it as
party of destruction. Its declaration
of principles condemns but suggests
no remedy either for real or fancied
ills. 1t is out of tune with free peo
pie everywhere; it is out of harmony
with the worlds desire; it no longer,
as in the days of its rebirth, stands
as a giant championing the cause of
freedom. but dwarfed by loss of
principle, it has developed into a vi
cious, grabbed old scold.
Humiliates America.
America will 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 degrade tion
prescribed by Republicanism, or to
save it from abject humiliation before
the nations of the earth.
Our party is almost as old as the
nation itself. 1t was created when the
forces of popular government as
sumed for the first time in the worlds
history the direct conduct of a nation.
1t has progressed in thought as our
nation progressed in growth and at
tainment. 1t has kept pace with the
time and has measured the tread of
the advancing host of liberal govern
ment.
Our party has never been an eva
sive party. 1t was not evasion that
made Thomas Jefferson the patron
saint of Democratic government; it
was not evasion that made Andrew
OdShSOiA lAlS PSlSOHAAiCnliOii VI nun
esty and fearlessness; it was not eva
sion that made the Democratic party
| of today the champion of the worlds
hopes, and neither will it be evasion
that will make the nominee OF this
convention the president of the United
/ States.
Our party will present policies in
a direct and constructive way; the Re
pulican platform is but an ingenious
| device meant to conceal irreconcilable
| differences.
I Cannot Go Back.
I'm delivering our message to the
American people our party will raise
| it's anchor upon the shores of honesty
and steer unfalteringly thru the
! straits of courage.
! with civilizations existence jeop-
ardized in the recent inferno of world
| chaos, America reached out its hand
| to stay destructive forces. We placed
| her once more in her exalted position
and raised again the fallen torch from
! whence radiates the light that tempers
british hearts and softens human
4 souls The world is waiting to hear
/ the decision of the American elector-
I ate upon the covenant of the League
/ of Nations; a war-torn world implores
/ America to take the lead in this great
| movement and humanfty's voice cries
out imploringly to our great nation.
Our country did not falter in its
duty to silence the guns of war; our
party will not falter IN it's duty to per-
! a