Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-07-23
The "son of opportunity" Accepts

! Poland at all hazards.
The ''Son of Opportunity" Accepts
| QUITTING behind him all memory OF those
American boys who bathod France with
their blood. forgetting the ideals for which
his nation fought, rejecting the fruits OF
the great war. and tearing down that tower
ing structure OF craftsmanship erected that
enduring peace might come to Il torn world.
Warren G\ Harding. in his speech accepting
tho Republican presidential nomination.
ruthlessly and petulantly brushes aside the
league OF nations as unworthy. He does
more he would apologize, behalf Of
America. TO the allied nations for having
led them into a compact which has for its
foundation Peace on earth and goodwill
to men All this ne would do ii he were
elected TO succeed The man whom he de-
nounces as having sounded to the nations
OF Europe the mistaken voice OF America.
spoken in unheedins haste" In its place
lie offers nothing. Nothing but Il congress
sional-nlade psacc." SO quickly as Repub-
lcan Congress can pass its declaration for
4 Eepu hlicau executive to Sigu."
Then, as substitute for tho league, after
America has been robbed OF ali for which
il fought he offers ncbulous hazy theory
OF AN association OF nations. cooperating
II sublime accord in which justice shall
rule without the aid OF force. But he does
no, know. or Al leas, lie does not suggest.
how that sublime accord would be
reached. how that justice would he main
tanned. or how the observance or interna-
tioaal law would be upheld. Evidently he
would so back 20 the Hague which failed
10 prevent barbarous nation from plung-
ine the world ii the ahyss OF armed con-
fict. And this is The shadow OF national
dishonor and broken faith that he would
substitute for the substance OF an honor
able compact signed b. the nations chief
Sealed with the blood OF lis sons and sancti-
fled by the tears OF its women. To this
betrayal OF America, 70 this breaking of the
faith with those who lie in Flanders Field.
TO this national treachory. Senator Hard
ing. himself an opportunist and the product
OF political opportunity. has the audacity
10 call the voters OF America, whom he
dubs the Sons OF Opportunity" What
red-biooded American Will not resent the
call?
The Harding acceptance speech is faith
full echo OF the Chicago platform of which
il Processes 10 he an Interpretation. But
realizing. with the rest OF the country the
urgent need of such an interpretation lie
fails in its execution. Passing from his
dcnunciation OF the league OF nations.
which he rejects absolutely as un-Ameri-
can with or without reservations or inter-
prctations. a concession TO the fright that
Hiram Johnson has cngendcrcd. senator
Harding passes along his ''opportunist"
way through the various domestic issues
scattering fair words of promise interlardcd
with cltterinS Canpralitics. There is one
exception. He faithfully promises pro-
toctive tariff with its Saving American
ISM for the reinsurance, no doubt, OF
( those interests which are expected 10 I'LL
! the Sl0o,0o0.GO0 war chest
| To the nation. he promises peace. which
| Republican Senate prevented To labor
I and capital he promises Ia compose their
! difhcnlties through perfect understand
! ing" hut he fails 10 show how such an
/ understanding is TO he accomplished He
/ dcnounccs protitccring AZ crime, bu, fails,
| TO find solution except In moro produc-
ton He would debate the currency but
I offers no plan Il substitute for those
! cihcacious measures already adopted by the
! Federal Reserve Board To The farmers
/ he is generous in praise and promises but
! offers no specific for their admitted troubles
I lie believes Liberty and Victory bonds
! should be put back TO par, bat ne doesn't
know how. He believes in u budget sys-
: tenn, which Republican Congress CON
I tr!ved To defeat. He iavors rradjus,
mcnt OF tax burdens 10 Il peace basis which
Republican Congress refused to effect be
cause a Democratic President requested it,
he believes in full and equal rights for
tho negro. He believes III promoting friend
ly relations with Mexico. but offers no fer
: mnla ~ make such relations possible lie
believes in law enforcement oven TO the
( eighteenth amendment, this clause Of his
"crcdo" evidently 10 i'll the ga? in tho
/ platform deliberately left by the national
committee He believe in woman suffrage
and pledges himself 20 it support
( 80 much for Senator iIardings "confcs-
/ SION OF iatn' lie discusses other domestic