East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1920-10-27

when a decision Is final. Such q de-
cision was made by the American peo-
pie In 1850. The national leaders
chosen then shaped the course of our
country for all time upon the question
Of chattel slavery. At times such as
then and now the claims of country
rise above claims OF party. The
northern Democrats, dividing their
votes between Lincoln and Douglas
cast the scale In favor OF human free
dom in 1860.
The Elections Decides
The national leaders to be chosen
November End this year sesem destined
to seal the fate OF America and of the
World upon the larger question of
freedom from international war. Thua
II Is the republicans and not the DEM
ocrats who have the power to make
the momentous decision by rising
above party and serving the nation
through support OF Governor Cox.
Coming down again to earth. we
can not escape the facts OF our chang
ed. situation. Sinking our heads into
the sands Of party bias may hide the
presence of danger but 1t does not re-
move the danger.
Regardless of the assurance or
Lodge and Penrose and Smoot. Taft
and Hoover and McNary are right
when they warn us OF the impossible
ity OF successful isolation.
The unwelcome fact remains that
the broad. deep oceans behind which
we rested in security but yesterday, to-
day have been reduced by science to
mere ponds so far as immunity from
attack is concerned. Therefore we can
no more afford carelessey to let the
quarrels beyond our borders ripen in
to international war than a city dwell.
Ter can afford to allow the house of
his nearby neighbor to go without fire
protection.
The issue as to whether we shall
return to the old system or whether
try out the new is clearly drawn.
Governor Cox proclaims that he
: would junk the old system which cul-
minated in the World War and go into
, the League.
: Harding a Repudiatlonist
Senator Harding would repudiatt
all the work that the nation has done
. toward the settlement OF the World
War. He would make a separate
peace with Germany and then invite
, mankind to return with him to the
Hague Tribunal and the other insti-
tutions for the maintenance Of peace
that were bankrupted by the war.
!, When we consider that the back
! bone of the opposition to the League
of Nations exists among the elements
a opposed to the War. the position OF
: Senator Harding in his opposition tc
the League Is most astounding. For II
, will be recalled that many republican
leaders and much Of the republican
press urged our entry into the wal
long before Wilson advised Congress L
n repeal with force the attacks of tht
Central Powers upon our ships. The
same logis. therefore that prompted
r republican leaders and the republican
/. press to urge our entry into war, anC
that justified republican congressmer
II In their all but unanimous support Of
Americas declaration Of war nov
/. binds them all to stand for our partici
4 patton with the Allies in securing
q just and lasting peace.
j. The hope of winning an alien ant
n dissatisfied voting population is not {
r valid excuse for throwing away the cos
n Iqy fruits of the war, or for breaking
h the nations promise that this was t.
q be a final great war to end war.
9 Harding Like Douglass
n The position of Senator Harding
d today In trying to hold both the loya
q and the disloyal elements in America
IL similar to that Of Senator Douglas
e in 1860. The splendid patriotism Of
q the rank and file of Senator Harding's
n party as disclosed during the stress OF
y war is proof that he and his cause will
meet the same fate that Douglas and
his cause met II the American people
+, come to understand his duplicity.
: Next to the presidency, is the Unit
ed States Senate. Senator Geo. E
: Chamberlain added immensely to his
: former high distinction while serving
4 as chairman OF the Senate Committee
, military affairs during the war. His
! heart went out to the boys called into
the service. When red tape stood be-
tween them and the comforts due
them, he slashed the red tape without
mercy, thus liberating and accentuat-
: ing the power Of our fighting forces.
: Through his courage and discern
ment he did his full share toward aid
ing the president and the country in
bringing the war to a speedy end. In
the character OF his distinguished
service throughout his long public
career, we find a promise of future
usefulness that demands his re-elec-
ton by rousing majority.
Local Candidates
In the matter OF candidates for local
offices the Democratic party presents
some most excellent material.
As We understand II, 1t Is the duty
Of the different parties locally to brins
out candidates Of good character who
are qualified to fill the offices for
which each candidate aspires. For
running this emmense public business
Of our county, our state. and our ma
tion there is no possible way now
available to the people for the selec-
tion of their business agents (the Of
ficers) except to choose between the
candidates on the respective tickets.
No - E,.o.,. a cnnarh hxy CoSnofo