Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-08-09

Mr.. cox's Message.
Mr.. Cox has spoken glibly and at
+, length. as those interested may
learn from the full text of his ad-
dress published elsewhere. Posi-
, bly,, too. they also may arrive at the
conclusion he has spoken volumi-
nously Of generalities and made free
use of we'll worn adjectives such as
fabulous applied to Republican
campaign fund. and "oligarchy" in
describing the United States Senate.
Regarding his sincerity there may be
difference of opinion (there usually is
in these matters) though some of us
will find it dificult to discover that
quality in some Of the more important
parts Of the message; as, for instance,
that where he declares that he takes
up the standard unfettered by prom
Uses. That declaration he made after
the Wilson interview: What he
(wilson) promised, I shall, if elected,
endeavor with all my strength to
give" surely was a promise, but it
seems Mr.. Cox doesn't feel fettered
thereby. Neither does he appear to
feel under obligation to explain just
what it was the President promised.
Mr.. Harding has inquired; many 9TH
ers would like to know. II any Demo-
cfat should feel disinclined to vote
for the fulhllment of a promise the
nature Of which had not been revealed
there is the 81 atement Of the candi-
, date himself that he is "unfettered."
And then he adds: This is no time
for wobbling"!
He devotes around three columns to
criticism Of those who don't agree
. with the Wilson covenant, which he
would have changed, though he sug-
gests no modification that would re-
lieve our actual responsibility under
it.: and he likens Article X to the
Monroe Doctrine, but doesn't pretend
b. to say what would become of the lat
ter in event Of the adoption ofthe for
mer. He finds the Republicans "un-
happy" and "captious," that with
them political expediency dwarfed
all other consideration" and, as if to
contribute further to their unhappi-
ness, the only relief he suggests is
that if he shall be elected "a new era
will have dawned upon the earth"
! though modestly ascribing this to the
Democratic party's success. But
4, when he attempts to make it appear
that Roots work toward establishing
a permanent court of international
justice depends on the adoption Of the
League as prescribed by Wilson we
are reminded that men who have been
elected to the presidency have not
been helped there by misrepresenta-
ton.
He advocates conservation of child
life but naturally doesn't explain why
this issdcne much. very much better
in states with affairs administered by
Republicans than in the Democratic
states Of the South. He pleads elo-
quently for more homes but neglects
to tell us why this need has arisen in
Democratic administration. Those
who recall his exultation at keeping
out Of war will smile over his glow
ing account Of Democratic war, at
his expressed eagerness to get out
now, the while upholding wisconsin
that is keeping us in. Indeed, it is
dihcult to give serious consideration
to Mr.. Cox's address, eloquent though
it may be in some passages. because
OF such absurd statements as his
demagogic bunk about no attempt
would be made to compete with dol
lars in this campaign, when it is the
Democratic party that has fixed the
sky as the limit for contributions: it
is the Democratic party that hopes
and expects to profit from the great
est power Of Federal patronage ever
known. So. perhaps, it would be bet
ter to leave him engaged in the
pastime Of distributing among deserv-
ing Democrats little packages of the
millennium, neatly labeled: Vote for