The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-07-24
AC-
CEP'TANCE SPEECH
Makes a Pledge of Constitutions
+ al Government of America
WELCOMES REFERENDUM
ON LEAGUE OF NATIONS
Makes Passing Notice of Pro-
hibition and Explains Posi-
tions on Various Planks

Marion, o., July ga pledge of
constitutional government. adminis-
tered by party and not by individual
and based on national rather than
world ideals, was given by Warren G..
Harding today in accepting formally
the Republican nomination for the
presidency. @
He welcomed u popular referendum
on the league of nations. advocated
increased production to cut the high
cost OF living, pleaded for obliteration
of sectional and class conflict. and de-
clared for industrial peace mot forced
but inspired by the common veal"
N Prohibition he gave only a passing
notice. saying that despite divided
opinion regarding the eighteenth
amendment and the statutes enacted
to make 1t operative, there must be no
evasion In their enforcement. He de-
clared 1t his sincere desire" that rati-
fication Of the suffrage amendment be
completed to permit women to vote in
every state.
Reviewing and commencing briefly
many other planks Of the party plat
form. the candidate declared for col
lective bargaining for farmers, repres-
sion OF the disloyal, generous federal
cooperation" in rehabilitating the rail-
roads, intelligent deflation of the cur
rency. enlargement of government aid
In reclamation. q genuine expression
OF gratitude TO veterans Cf the world
war and maintenance OF an ample ma :
" a nj so
the world"
In his promise OF "a party govern
ment," Senator Harding reiterated his
belief that the vice president should
have a part in the affairs Of the chief
executives official family and declared
there also should be cordial under
standing and coordinated activities
between the executive and congress.
mo man." he said, lis big enough
to run this great republic. "Our first
commitaa Is the restoration of repre-
sentative popular government, under
the constitution, through the agency
OF the, Republican party"
Promising restoration of peace as
soon as Republican congress should
send a peace declaration to a Repub-
lican president for his signature, the
candidate assailed the league covenant
as brought home by President Wilson,
but declared the wars sacrifice would
be "in vain IL we cannot acclaim a new
order, with ado ed security to civiiiza-
tion and peace maintained
I'VE Republicans OF the senate" he
continued, when we saw the struc-
ture OF world supergovernment talk
ing visionary form. Joined in becom-
Ing warming OF our devotion to this
republic. The, Republicans Of the
senate halted the barter Of independ-
ent American eminence and influ-
ence.
I'VE do not mean to hold aloof. We
do not mean to shun a single respon,
sibility Of this republic. We were re-
solved then, even as we are today, and
will be tomorrow. to preserve this
free and independent republic. Let
those now responsible, or seeking re-
sponsibility. propose the surrender,
whether with interpre tations, apollo
gies. or reluctant reservations,-fro
which our rights are to be omitted.
We welcome the referendum to the
American people on the preservation
of America.
with a senate advising as the con-
stitufion contempIates. would hope
fully approach the nations of Europe
and of the earth. proposing that TN
derstanding which makes us a willing
participant In the conservation of ma
tions to a new leadership, to commit
the moral forces of the world, Ameri-
ca Included, to peace and international
Justice. still leaving America free. in
dependent and self-reliant, but Offer
ing friendship to all the world"
Declaring railway employees ought
to be the best paid in the world, the
candidate emphasized the responsible
ity of such service and added:
The government might well stamp
railway employment with the sanct.ty
OF public service and guarantee to
the railway employees that Justice
which voices the American conception
OF righteousness on the one hand and
assures continuity of service on the
other"
In his reference TO prohibition. and
law enforcement he said:
PEOPLE ever will differ about the
wisdom or the enactment OF n law
there is divided opinion regarding the
eighteenth amendment and the laws
enacted To make 1t operative--but
tnere can be no difference of opinion
ABOUT honest law enforcement. Modi-
ncation or repeal Is the right OF n
iree people. whenever the deliberate
anu intelligent public sentiment COM
"'euus' but perverslon and evasion