New-York tribune., 1920-08-18
Cox DenOunces
Harding as a
'ReactiOnary'
Proposal of Separate Peace
Is Declared a s'Perfectly
Perfidioas Act'' Before
State Convention i'm Ohio
Baker Defends Article X
Secretary Indicates Line
That Cabinet Speakers
Will Take in Campaign


War Baker opened the Presidential
campaign in Ohio to-day with addresses
At the Democratic State Convention
here. Governor Cox flayed Senator
Harding as "reactionary," denounced
what he termed Mr.. Hsrding's plan for
separate pesce and said the Demo
cratic position on the League of Ma
tons was not unbending.
Secretary Baker made a spirited de-
tense of Article X of the covenant of
the league, sounding what is said to
have been the keynote Of the addresses
to be made by him and all his Cabinet
associates in speaking tours, by means
Of which President Wilson will throw
all lis weight toward the election of
Governor Cox Another speaker at the
convention was Senator Pomerene, of
Ohio, who discussed war revenue laws
for the most part, but also went to the
defense OF the league.
The San Francisco PLATFORM" said
Governor Cox, who in his address re-
lnquished party leadership in the
state, gives us the right to enter the
league on terms that need no defense.
Open to interpretations
"Our position is not unbending. We
claim that we can accept anything Gn
reservations) that interprets, that calls
attention to the limitations OF our Con-
stitution, that calls attention of the
other nations that we Will go thus far
and no further
Perfectly perfdious act" and "dis-
honorable deed were among terms ap-
Piled by Governor Cox to the separate
peace proposal. and the convention gave
him ovation after ovation as he pro-
ceded
The separate peace issue, Governor
Cox declared, will remain in the pub
lie mind"
This, after ALL" he continued, "is
the crux of the situation. The reac-
tionary candidate promises you moth
ing but proposal which. at its best,
promises nothing but months and pos
sibly wears of delay. On the other
hand, we promise you this-that after
the 4th CT March, with the least amount
o. conversation possible, we'll enter the
league"
The Democratic candidate denounced
particularly the Republican argument
tnat the league would increase proba-
bity OF war.
Denying also that the league could
order America sid ers overseas, Gov
ernor Cox Continued:
The Republican leaders, in declar-
ing that four 2r ave potentates over
seas can order our soldiers anywhere,
are speaking q deliberate and willful
untruth.'
At this point the Governor spoke
with great celebration, adding:
fci ~
do not characterize it in stronger
terms"
Congressional Curb Relied On
Governor Cox reiterated that Con-
gress only may declare war and
Republican leaders contend would re-
quire constitutional amendment"
After "vigilant study of Senator
Hardings acceptance address. Cover
nor Cox said he found the statement
that has staggered the sensibIlities of
the world-the unthinkable, the mon
strous proposal for a separate peace
with Gerr1Any.'
Now e'-t our army is disbanded
and the main strength of the Allies
scattered,' said the Democratic candi-
date, "he would destroy that pact (the
eague) and enter into q new cove
nant."
Declaring this perfectly perfdious
act Governor Cox said that he stood
at the head of ''a great army of De-
mocracy and independents that opposes
the army Of reaction"
Il give you this assurance" he con-
tinued, that this dishonorable deed
VIII not be perpetrated; first, because
Warren G. Harding will not have a
chance to do it, and second, that l
will not insult 100000 American SOL
ders by doing it myself"
added, proposes that after making a
separate peace with Germany he
would assemble the conscience of the
world and present an entirely new re-
lationship."
Assuming that even separate peace
could be made Governor Cox declared,
believe the government of the United
States would be so unworthy that none
o. the other nations would have any
'nlng 20 do with US"
Governor Cox said he was indebted
70 the opposition for furnishing the
campaign issues.
Compares Records in State
During his address the Governor
weighed the records of himself and
senator Harding in Ohio, especially in
.ae nSht 1or new state constitution
raising the results of the constitu-
uon, Governor Cox said Senator Hard
ing was aligned with the reaction
ares opposing it and published free
newspaper OF opposition. The Governor
urged that judgment be passed on per.
1 iormances and not words"
FROM 1850 to 1912 Ohio had grown
from an agricultural into an industrial
sNate, he asserted. progress haC
ouched the whole course of our life anc
every institution save government.
Meanwhile there was developing 6
aassed thought that carried disturbing
symptoms. The country should be re.
minded that it was in our very midst
l mat Colonel Roosevelt delivered his first
speecn IN support of his theory that ht
;;hould go further than the recall of the
JUDICIARY, and establish the facility o.
Ealing the decisions of the courts
ssi:nI.aily, majority of our citizenship
,s''aout regard to party, in spirit mo-
:" ne halted, demanded and procured
tonstitutlonal convention. As this con
ss.ehce went on, reactionary forces, b,
sssssnlzed sobby and otherwise, tough
~. .vr tne old order, but they were repulset
~ ~ every turn. When the proposed
,s;aages in the constitution we're sub
nN.ed for ratification at the polls, th'
my OF progress faced the agents o.
"s'on at every voting booth.
Harding Speech Quoted
won the morning after the election
"arren G. Harding made this an
Il .SAuEofrpnt L,x so~ .txrv, ,rt