The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-07-03
THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM

The InteuIscnccr feels inclined to let. he platform presented to the Demo
cratic National Convention e Utmost wtthou, mmsn The In,euscnccr reader
eommcndaAons and denuncatons Dc not hay much weight 1t ma be pertinent
10 point out however. that as to the two most important subjects which have
been before he people and as to which here have been most discussion tho
0stform either take n position or takes a position which" nay mean anything
IS to prohibition. there was not even a declaration in favor Of enforcing tn"
paw. Shall the prohibition amendment b repealed: shall tho Toltead act BE-
pmended: Shall there DO m modification II tn alleged drastic eSula"0"
bow in force?
These arc questions which concern a very srat many people nd as t"
which many people would h.ye like to nave hd a decided expression. As to all
pt them. the Democratic National platform is utterly silent
In contrast with this postum We may point out hat tn Republican plat
form declared emphatcaly for the enforcement Of the spirit Of the PoA0'u""
amendment: In other words for he enforcement OF the la adopted the
majority OF he American people
As to thu Leaxu OF Nations. Mr.. Wilson obtains an endorsement which
beans nothtns. One positive dedaraton is made mmendin President Wilson,
ind Immediately thereafter another declaration is made committing the PaTN
&c the League of Nations with servauon tia will make clearer or more
SPECIFIC the obligations OF the unted States" This is a long waY from declara-
lion for the covenant which Mr. Wilson brought back from Paris 1t is FAR away
matter Of fact reservations which will max clearer 0As"''on', as 70 u"deT'
stand them. are the only reservations that nave been proposed by the R"Puo-
eeriously forwarded by an responsible parties in The tnted states" ne &c
pubncans II nj United States senate have sought to act fairly by our allies in
Europe: to accept tn League Of Nations with explanations that will give IT con-
pattuuonal authority among he American people; that will be warning t" the
the Lasu. The limit to which we al g is tn limit II authority fixed in our
rcnstitu,on which places the warmakins power in the hands OF Congress and
bach and every oe Il the proposed crvato as to Article X have been de-
sasn.d for III specific purpose % preserving to tuurs Congresses the power to
'aeclare gar, or to refuse to declare var wrthou;. its action being anticipated or
Ia, hand being forced BY arbitrary agreements entered into under entirely dit
ierent conditions. II is Impossible to escape the belief tina ii" Democratic
Platform a. to the Leagu means nothing more than a generate Hor, 10 satisfy the
erestd.nt. ad at the same time. to conchiate those infuentta Democrats who
have taken a decided position IN opposition to his view.
As 10 te labor plank in the platform" We believe hat ever Mr. Samuel
Gompsrs will And 1t difficult to extract, mueh comfort from its declarations as
compared with hose OF the Republican party, Tn" fact IL" no political p'Hy
ur this oun,ry ares to declare for compulsory arbitration Of labor disputes be
tween private individuals ad n 10 political party dar"' to 1" on record with the
recommendation thst labor disputes involving public service can be hN soey
70 a decision between employers and employees
IS to m,ny II the other feature, Of the platform N is unnecessary
49,. 40. ~ u.,,Ik kind Of self praise INDUCED in by party cnzato who
arc seeking to Justify heir record and the public Will properly a" little
attention to them