Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-20
Platform Of the Democratic Party Of the State Of Virginia


ciples OF popular government as
broadly expressed by Thomas JEFF
lerson and since stcadfastly pur-
sued By the great leaders OF the
party. notably by Woodrow Wilson,
the President. Both in State ac-
tivitics and national affairs we pre-
sent record of achievement to
which we confidently invite the at
and of which we directly challenge
the scrutiny OF our political adycr-
saries.
Stnte and Federal Administrations.
We indorso unrcservediy the
clean. capable and courageous ad-
ministrati0n OF the State govern
mcnt at Richmond. executive and
legislative. and heartily commend
the progressive measures adopted
by the General Assembly and ap-
plicd ~ the Governor to Insure in
creased efficiency and sound econ
omy In the public business OF the
Commonwealth.
This convention indorses the ma
t:onal Democratic administration at
washington and approves the faith
Ia! ana Industrious service ~ Vir-
slnias democratic representatives
In both branches OF the Congress-,
IL again acclaims the incomparlbIe
statesmanship OF Woodrow Wilson,
inc picdc.s OF the platforms upon
winch fc was elected President OF
the United states and in things ac-
compilshed has exhibited a fine de-
Hot!on 10 the principles OF Dcmoc-
racy Under his leadership the
Democratic party has very definitely
cohiuted the familiar criticism about
us alleged inability 10 do things:
Tor during Wilson's first term more
beneficial legislation was enacted
by the Congress and approved by
the President than during any
t%entyihve years Of control by the
Republican party since the Civil
War
In his second term the greatest
war OF the worlds history was sue
cessfuily fought TO speedy con-
ciusion. And in its prosecution the
President not only sustained the
honor and guarded the welfare OF
the nationj but exhibited that spirit
OF humanity and justice which Is
essential TO national security and
Individual liberty. BY his leader
snip the American people cstab-
hshcd the authority or democracy
over autocracy and throughout the
world commanded respect for hu-
man rights and ycarning desire
ior perpetual peace.
League OF Nations.
The Democratic party OF Vir-
g-ria favors league Of nations as
the surcst. IL not the only. practice
able means OF maintaining the per-
inanent peace OF the world and ter
minating the insufferabie burden OK
great military and naval establish
incnts. 1t was for this that America
broke away from traditional isola-
ZION and spent her blood and
treasure 10 crush colossal scheme
OF conquest. We not only congratu-
late the President on tho vision
manifested and the vigor exhibited
In the prosecution OF the war, but
we felicitatc him and his associates
on the exceptional achievement at
involved g. nf
league and treaty so near akin 10
american ideals and so intimately
related to the aspirations OF civil
lzcd peoples everywhere.
We commend the President for his
courage and his high conception Of
good faith In stcadfastly standing
.or the covenant agreed to by all
the associated and allied nations al
war win Germany, and we condemn
the Republican Senate for it's re-
iusal to ratEy the treaty merely
because 1t was the product OF Demo-
cratic statcsmanship. thus interpos-
hatred in the way of the peace and
renewed prosperity OF the world.
ny every accepted standard OF in
,eTna,ional morality the President
honor OF the country is Involved
In this business: and we point TO
the accusing fact that, before Il
was determined TO initiate political
Kepublican chairman OF the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee him
self publicly proclaimed that any
proposition for separate peace
party associates recently reported
10 the Senate. would make US
guilty OF the blacklist crime"
on saturday. May 18th. this Knox
substitute for the Versailles treaty
was passed by the Republican Ssn-
ate: and this convention can con
tr!ve no more fitting charactcrlza-
Ton OF lis in!amy than that made in
me Forum magazine OF December.
1918. by Henry Cabot Lodge. when
he said:
II we send our armies and
young men abroad TO be killed
and ana wounded in northern
france and Flanders with no
result but this. our entrance
INTO war with such an inten-
ton was a crime which nothing
can JUSTLY. The intent of Con- /
Eress and the intent OF the
President was that there could
nc no peace until we could
create situation where no /
such war as this could recur.
we cannot make peace except
IN company with our allies 1t
would brand US with everlasting
dlshonor and bring ruin 70 us
also II we undertook to mako 4
separate peace"
ms ~ lEat winch the Republic !
can leader considered "the black |
est crime" his party in Congress !
wouid give the sanctity OF law;
mat which seventeen months ago
was Or everlasting dishonor." the |
republican Congress accepts as the |
essense of faith. And because a !
democratic President blocks tho |
way OF this immoral thing he is |
hated and reviled for his obduracv,
we indorse the action of Vir- |,
Ginias Democratic Senators and |!
representatives in sustaining the |
President's View of our international |
obiigations and for voting against |
reservations designed to cut to |
pieces the vital provisions of the |
Versailles treaty and against resoIu- |
tons for separate peace which |
would disgrace the nation. We adj |
'ocate prompt ratification of the |
treaty without reservations which +
would impair it's essential integrity. |
only by doing this may we retrieve |
the reputation OF this nation among |
me powers Of the earth. and recover
the moral leadership which Wilson |
won and which. with amazing In |
oifterencc. paltering Republican
poiitlcians Mt Washington sacrificed |
only by doing this may we hone |
10 aid effectively in the restoration !
or order throughout the world and !
10 TAKE the place which we should |
assume In the front rank OF spirit |
rat only in love can humanity full r;