New Britain herald., 1920-08-09
American People Have Paid Staggering Penalty For Republican Victory of 1918.

Hyde Park, N. Y. Aug. 9.-The American people have paid a stag gering penalty for the republican victory at the polls in 1918, Homer s. Cummings declared here today in for mally notifying Franklin D. Roose- welt of his nomination as the demo- cratic party's candidate for the vice presidency.
 Undisputed in the material and moral leadership Of the world" when the armistice was signed, he said. 'who will deny that our title to that leadership has been grievously inn paired if not completely lost 2"
 What has happened to account for this lowering of morale and the for feiture of the place of honor which had been won by American arms and American statesmanship? Mir. Cum mings asked.
 C. O. F. Hates Progress.
 The answer is not far to seek. Practically coincident with the publi- cation of the armistice came the news that the republican party had been successful in the congressional elec- tions of 1918. From that moment American progress stopped, partisan ship took possession of public affairs and republican leaders became more interested in political success than in national honor. The results were immediate and disastrous. ...' .-. ...,
 "EverS' enemy Of society, of peace or of civilization took quick advan- tage of the fatal period of hesitancy. American commerce, which ought to have been seeking every port in the world. was unable to develop adequate trade channels or find settled basis for development All the processes of national life were impaired and there was a gradual accumulation of domes- tic problems which have not been adjusted and which cannot be satis- factorily dealt with until our relation ship to the rest of the world has been determined.
 There has not been an hour since the November elections of 1918 dur ing which the American people have not paid a staggering penalty for the republican triumph of that year. There Is but one way out. There is but one clear path of duty. It is to redeem America's word to the world and to assume without hesita- ton our share of the task of rehabili- tating the broken structure of civilization.
 Democracy's Standard.
 The democratic party is uncon- duerable in it's hold upon the truth that America belongs to the world and cannot serve herself while break inE faith with others. Such is our cause and our purpose. That you will hold high the standard we place in your hands we do not for a mo- ment doubt
 Speaking of the republican con vention at Chicago. Mir. Cummings said "timidity and cunning" were the essential characteristics of the platform adopted here.
 Tt seems to he the product of men who have lived for many years in the blind stupor of moral nega- tion." he said. adding that the re- publican candidate ultimately chosen was not in fact the choice of any considerable number of the delegates" and that the nomination could not evoke any popular response, and in- decd. 1t failed to create any enthus- iasm in tho registering convention it. self"
 Candidate rntainted.
 At San Francisco. he said, the can didates emerged from the deIibera- tions of that body Cthe democratic convention) as the free choice of a united party. bearing no taint upon their title to leadership, honor and respect
 The republican party since 1912" Mir. Cummings said. has been the party of destructive criticism. IL has made a speciality of fault-finding. In peace. in war and in our rela- tions with other countries. the settled purpose of republican leadership has been to make trouble, irrespective of the merits of any problem involved. It has persistently sought to increase irritation and discontent rather than to allay them. From every element of diseord. and even nf sedition. it has sought to draw some resultant Of partisan advantage. Its purpose has been and still is. repudiation and re- treat'