The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-06-28
CUMMINGS ADDRESS

d-aules and Gentlemen of the Con-
vention:
At this high hour when the destin-
les not only Of political parties but
OF peoples are at stake; when social
unrest Is everywhere apparent; when
existing forms Of government are being
challenged, and their very foundations
disturbed or swept away, it is we'll
for us, here in America, to pause for
a period Of solemn deliberation.
We, who assemble in this great con-
vention. counsel together, not merely
as members Of a party. but as chill
dren Of the Republic. Love of country
and devotion to human service should
purge our hearts all unworthy or mis-
leading motives. Let us fervently
pray for a Divine blessing upon all
that we do or undertake. Let us
pledge ourselves anew to equality Of
icpportunity; the unity of our country
,above the interests of groups or class
res and the maintenance OF the high
honor Of America in her dealings with
other nations.
The people will shortly determine
which political instrumentality is best
suited to their purposes, most respon-
sive to their needs. They will have
before them many platforms and many
promises. In what direction will they
turn? There Is no better way of judg-
ling the future than by the past. We
ask, therefore, that the people turn
from the passions and the prejudices
,of the day to the consideration Of a
xvaa anrl oil ,e I,,,
Republican Leadership
The republican party was unsuc-
,cessful in the elections Of 1912 because
II had perslstently served special in
terests and had lost touch with the
spirit Of the time Those who con-
tlcllcd its destiny derived their political
inspiration from "the good old days Of
Mark Hanna" and neither desired a
new day nor were willing to recognize
new day when it had dawned. To
each pressing problem, they sought
merely to reapply the processes Of
antiquity.
There were elements in the republi-
can party which were intolerant Of
fits mental sloth and moral irrespon-
sibility. These influences sought to
gain party control in 1912 and again.
IN 1916. They renewed the hopeless
struggle at the convention recently
held at Chicago.
Despite these efforts the leaders
who have manipulated the party
mechanism for more than generation,
are still in undisputed control.
The republican platform, reaction
ary and provincial, is the very apoth-
costs of political expediency. Filled
with premeditated ISLANDERS and vague
promises, it will be searched in vain
for one constructive suggestion for
the reformation .of the conditions
which it cridcises and deplores The
oppressed peoples OF the earth will
look to II in vain. 1t contains no
message Of hope for Ireland; no word
of mercy for Armenia: and it conceals
sword for Mexico 1t is the work
Of men concerned more with material
things than with human rights. 1t
contains no thought. no purpose which
can give impulse or thrill TO those
who love liberty and hope to make
the world safer and happier place
for the average man.
Democratic Achievements
The democratic party Is an unen-
tangled party--a free party--owing no
allegiance to any class or group or
special Interest. We were able to take
up and carry through to success the
great progressive program outlined
in our platform of 1912. During the
months which interviewed between
March 9Th. 1913, and the outbreak of
the world war, we placed upon the
statute books of our country more
effective. constructive and remedial
legislation than the republican party
had placed there in a generation.
The income tax was made per
manent part of the revenue produc'
ing agencies Of the country, thereby
relieving our law Of the reproach OF
being unjustly burdensome to the
moor The extravagances and inequi
TICS of the tariff system were re-
moved; and non.partisan tariil
commission was established so that
future revisions might be made In
tho light of accurate information
scentflcally and impartially obtained
pan.Americanism was encouraged; ano
fine bread thus cast upon the interna