The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-10-04
MIR. COX'S DIFFICULT ROLE

We have ceased % feel censorious towards
Mr. Cox II Is possible TO sytnpathi1e with him.
for truth to tell hc Is fillIng, or attempting to
nll most difficult role.
Tho popular verdict was made up and rcadv
10 deliver before the two conventions were held
In June. Tho task foil to Mr.. Cox To reopen
the case and change that verdict. whether he
has conducted hts case in the best possible man
ner IL matter OF judgment after all the facts
are understood. or course. we do not think
he has; we think he made an irrctrievable mis-
take and an altogether Unnecessary mistake
when he deliberately took wisconsin on his
back In that most amazing statement, "what no
promised will II elected, to the fun. extent
Of my ability \deiver."
Yet he had Wilsonlsm on his hands whether
he took It on his back or not. The administra-
tion had seen to that in the platform It gavo
him. In addition. the logic OF the situation,
precedent. everything In politics. required that
he defend his party. His party and Its mmo-
diate record being indefensiblc, Mr.. Cox saw
that his only chance was In creating a diversion,
Hence the charges OF campaign finance cor
rupton hence the old play progressive
rcactionary; hence the platitudes meaningless
and contrary to the facts, concerning the eff
cacy OF the league to bring about universal and
lasting peace; hence the appeal to prejudice;
hence everything and anything but "A courageous
discussion OF the issues and an able defense
OF seven and half years OF the worst mall
administration o. the government in it's history.
1t ~ easy to assert that the democratic nom
inee has accomplished nothing by the tactics
ho chose. What could he have aocomp plished
by different tactics? The attorney for a client
notoriousy without character inevitably seeks
90 assail the character OF the plaintiff That
sort OF defense is old the eternal hills
Whether 1t is creditable or not Is different
matter. There IN always the consciousness that
1t probably will avail nothing. But 1t is the
only defense aud therefore must he employed.
Unfortunately for Mr.. Cox he has very largely
forfeited the good opinion OF the country lie
IL suspected We mean by that this his HONESTY
and sincerity more than his ability, are under
suspicion. For he appears to be seeking
authority through Misrepresentation and
sion. The liquor question Is a direct point In
issue
Mr.. Cox the carefully nurtured candidate
OF the liquor interests. Up to the point Of uomi-
nation there no conceament Of the fact
II was rather advertised But after the nomi-
nation "A smoke screen was thrown out MIR,
Cox himself became cnigmatic In nis statements
with reference to the prohibition issue. A gen.
uino effort made by his creators to make
him appear as a rigid prohibitonist In those
actions whore prohibition Is popular.
Yet tho facts are matter OF easily ascer-
| talned record. Mr.. George 4. Carroll, president
! OF the lquor interests. writing members OF his
association under date OF July 22, says among
| other things:
The nomination OF Governor Cox OF Ohio
for the presidency by the deUocrats L.
big victory for interests and II can be
| attributed to great degree To the activity
| OF our trade organization hcuf In New Jer-
| sey and throughout the napon. Governor
| Cox Is pronounced wet and ne can he
| relied on to approve an amendment to the
| Nolsead act as suggested above. IL Is now
| up TO our trade organizations TO stand
| squasely behind Cox and Roosevelt This IN
| going TO be the greatest political fight In the
| history OF the United states.
In second letter Mr., Carroll urges cam
paign contributions so that we may know at
once just what resources are"
In view of this unqucstioned record, and In
! view OF the fact that the liquor interests gave
permission to MIR. Cox TO campaign dry" in
dry territory without offending them. isn't the
| democratic candidates role one to excite pity;
We think 1t is, Not many genuine men would
| have undertaken 1t under any conditions.
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