The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-08-11
CUMMINGS MOTT
FIES ROOSEVELT
That He Is Running Mate For
Governor Cox
AMERICAN LEADERSHIP
SERIOUSLY IMPAIRED
Former Chairman Scores Re-
publican Record

iiyAO dih, IN. -, aug uSI J. Ilb
American people have paid stag
gering pealty" for the Republican
victory at the polls i'm 1918, Homer S.
Cummings declared here today in for
mally notifying Franklin ID. Roosevelt
Of his nomination as the Democratic
party's candidate for the vice pres
idency.
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 leader
ship has been grievously impaired if
not completely lost?"
What has happened to account for
this lowering Of morals and the for
feiture of the place of honor which
had been won by American arms and
American statesmanship?" Mr.. Cum
mings asked.
THE answer is not far to seek.
Practically coincident with the pub
news that the Republican party had
been successful in the Congressional
elections 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 i'm
mediately disastrous.
Every enemy of society, of peace
Or of civilization took quick advan-
tage, OF the fatal period of hesitan-
cy. American commerce, which ought
to have been seeking every port in the
world, was unable to develop ade-
,uate trade channels or find settled
basis FOR development. All the pro-
cesses of national life were impaired
and there was a gradual accumula-
ton of domestic problems which have
not been adjusted ,and which cannot
be satisfactorily dealt with until our
relationship with the rest OF the
world has been determined
There has not been an hour since
the November. elections of 1915 during
which the American people have. not
paid a staggering penalty for the Re-
publican triumph Of that year. There
Is but one way out. There is but one
clear path of duty. 1t is to redeem
Americas word to the world and to
assume without hesitation our share
of the task Of rehabilitating the brok-
en- structure of civilization. rl
''The DemooYatic party is uncon-
qusrable in its hold upon the truth
that America belongs to the world and
cannot serve herself while breaking
faith witheothers. Such is our cause
and our purpose. That you will hold
high the standard we place in your
hands We do not FOR moment doubt
Speaking OF the Republican, conven-
crn NHs.
"timidity" and cunning were the es-
sential characteristics of the platform
adopted here.
1t seems to be thesproduct Of men
who have lived for many years in the
blind stupor of mental neg.lion," he
said. adding that the Republican can
didates emerged from the delibera-
fact the choice of any considerable
number of the delegates" and that the
nomination could not evoke any pom
uiar response, and indeed. it failed to
create any enthusasm in the regis
tering convention itself"
AT San Francisco, he said. "the can
didates emerged form the delbera-
tons of that body (the Dem ocratic
convention)- as the free choice of a
united party. bearing no taint upon
their title to leadership, honor and re-
spect."
The Republican party since 1872"
Mr., Cummings said. has been the
party Of destructive criticism. Il has
made a specially OF fault finding. In
peace, In war and I'm our relations
with other countries. the settled pur-
pose CT Republican leadership has
oeen to make trouble. irrespective of
the merits of any problem involved. 1t
mas persistently sought to increase ir-
rltation and discomfort rather than to
aiiay them. From every element of dis
cora, and even of sedition. il has
sought to draw some resultant of par
tisan advantage. It's purpose has been
ana still u.s. rpudiation and retreat.p