The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-07

ing that this means but one thing
CoX's speech, in part, follows.
Ihe men and women who by express
ed policy at the San Francisco conven-
ton charted our course In the open
seas OF the future sensed the spirit OF
the hour and phrased ii with clarity and
courage. 1t is not necessary to read
ana reread the Democratic platform 10
know its meaning. 1t is a document
clear in its analysis of conditions and
plain in the pledge of service made
TO the public. 1t carries honesty of word
ment has but to be read along with the
platform framed by Republican leaders
In order that both spirit and purpose
as they dominate the opposing organi-
cations may be contrasted. On the
one hand we see pride expressed in the
nations glory and a promise OF SER
vice easily understood. On the other
captious, unhappy spirit and the treat.
ment of subjects vital TO the present
and the future, in terms that have COM
pletely confused the public mind. 1t
was clear that the seHat torial Oligar-
selection of the presidential candidate,
but 1t was surprising that 1t was able
to fasten into the party platform the
creed of hate and bitterness and the
vacillating policy that possesses it.
Cabal Formed in War.
In the midst of the war the present
senatorial cabal, led by Senators Lodge,
Penrose and Smoot, was formed SUI
perficial evidences Of loyalty to the
president was deliberate in order that
the great rank and file OF their party,
faithful and patriotic. to the very core,
might not be offended. But underneath
this misleading exterior, conspirators
planned and plotted, with bigoted zeal.
With victory to our arms they delayed
and obstructed the works of peace.
II deemed useful to the work in hand
no artifice for interfering with our
eonsIGti9nal peaeemaEng authoditS odgs
finally crystailized his IDEAS into
what were known as the Lodge
reservations, and when congress ad-
journed these reservations held the
support of the SBo-called regular Re-
publican leaders.
been interesting. Political eXpediency
in its truest sense dwarfed every con-
sderation either of the public interest
or of the maintenance of the honor OF a
great political party The exclusive
question was how to avoid rupture
in the Republican organization.
AS the platform made no definite
commital of policy and was, In fact so
artfully phrased as to make almost any
deduction possible. it passed through
the convention with practical unani-
nifty. Senator Johnson, however. whose
position has been consistent and whose
opposition to the league in any shape
is well known. withheld his support
of the conventions voice until the
candidate had stated the meaning OF
the platform. ana arnounced definitely
the policy thta would be his, II elected.
of the party, and Senator Johnson are
as one on this question, and, as the
latter expresses it, the Republican par
ty is committed both by platform in
the abstract and by its candidate In
specification. The threatened revolt
among leaders of the party is averted,
but the minority position as expressed
in the senate prevails as that Of the
party.
Senator Harding makes this new
pledge of policy in behalf of his party:
II promise You formal and effective
peace so quickly as a Republican con-
gress can pass it's declaration for
executive to sign"
This means but one thing-a separate
peace with Germany!
This plan would not only be piece
Of bungling diplomacy, but plain, un-
And then after peace Is made with
Germany, Senator Harding would, he
says, hopefully approach the nations
Of Europe and of the earth, proposing
that understanding which makes us
willing participant in the conservation
Of nations to a new relationship"
In short, America, refusing to enter
the league of nations (now already es-
tablished by 29 nations) and bearing
and deserving the contempt of the
world. would submit an entirely new
project. This act would either be re-
sarded as arrant madness or attempted
hossism.
They charge experimentation when we
nave as historical precedent the Monroe
doctrine, which Is the very essence OF
Article 10 of the Versailles covenant.
Skeptics viewed Monroe's mandate with
alarm, predicting recurrent wars in de-
Tense of Central and South American
states, whose guardians they alleged
we need not be- And yet not a shot
has been fired in almost 100 years in
preserving sovereign rights on this
hemisphere. tThey hypocrtically claim
hat the league of nations will result
n our boys being drawn into military
service, but they fail to realize that
very high school youngster in the land
Knows that no treaty can override our
which reserves to con
yress and to congress alone the power
o declare war They preach Ameri-
,ansm with a meaning OF their own
invention. and artfulIy appeal to
elfish and provincial spirit, forgetting
Jurely moral question of slavery, and
hat Mckinley broke the fetters OF our
boundary lines, spoke the freedom of
'uba, and carried the torch OF Amerl-
an idealsm to the benighted Philip
lines. .
lpon The league Of nations is
n operation. A very important work,
lnder its control, just completed was
participated in by the Hon Elihu Root
ecretary Of state under the Roosevelt
administration. At a meeting Of the
council of the league of nations, Feb |
l, an organizing committee Of II oi
he most eminent jurists in the world
vas selected, The duty Of this group
vas to devise a plan for the establish.
nent of a permanent court Of inter- |
lational justice. as branch OF the |
eague This assignment has been con
luded by unanimous action. This au- |
.urs well for world progress. The ques.
ion is whether we shall or shall not
DIN in this practical and humane move |
nent President Wilson, as our rep |
esentative at the peace table, entered
he league in our name. insofar as the |
Xecutive authority permitted. Senator |
Iarding, as the Republican candidate |
or the presidency, proposes In plain |
words that we remain out Of it. As |
he Democratic candidate, | favor going |
Ian of making German-AmeriCan |
eace, and then calling for a new re-
ltionship among nations" assuming |
or the purpose Of argument only, that |
he perfidious hand that dealt with |
iermany would possess the power or
influence to draw % nations away |
rom a plan already at work and in |
uCe them to retrace every step and !
make new beginning This would en-
all our appointing another commission |
o assemble with those selected by the
ther powers. With the Versailles in
Uument discarded, the whole subject
{ partitions and divisions Of territory |
n new lines would be rcOpencd The
iffiCutes In this regard RS any fair
lind appreciates, would be greater than
hey We're at the peace session. and
20 must not attempt to convince our
elves that they did not try the genius 1
atience and diplomacy of statesmen
{ that time. History will say that
reat as was the allied triumph IN war, !
O less "A victory WAS achieved AT the !