The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-01-15
MR.. BRYAN's POSITION.

William Jennings Bryan, in that
part of his address which had to do
with the party's position on the
League of Nations, said:
"a democratic president was the
spokesman of the United States in
holding out to n warworn world the
hope of universal peace, and he
brought back from Paris the covenant
Of a League of Nations that provides
means for settling international dis
putes without a resort to force. lie
did the best he could, and succeeded
better than we had any right to eX-
poet, when we remember that he
fought Single-handed against the selfish
interests of the world.
"The Republican party, in control OF
the senate. instead of ratifying at once,
or promptly proposing changes that
1t deemed necessary, has tiddled while
civilization has been threatened with
conflagration.
Compromise or Issue at Polls.
"The Democratic plan has been re-
iected. and we must face the situation
as it is. We must either secure such COM
promises as may be possible, or pre-
sent the issue to the country. The lat
ter course would mean a delay Of at
least II months, and then success only
in case of our securing two-thirds
majority In the senate.
1--WE cannot afford, either as citizens
or as members of the party, to share
with the Republican party responsible
ity for further delay; we cannot go
before the country on the issue that
such an appeal would present.
"Our nation has spent 100000 pre-
ciOus lives and more than S2OWO OOO,-
600 To make the world safe for dcmoc-
racy, and the one fundamental princi-
pie of democracy is the right of the
majority TO rule II applies 10 the
senate and to the house as well as
to the people,
according 10 the Constitution, a
treaty Is ratified by twothirdS vote,
but the Democratic party cannot NJ
ford 70 take advantage of the tonsti-
tutional right Of minority 10 prevent
ratification. A majority Of con
greSs can declare war. Shall we make
II more difficult to conclude a treaty
than TO enter II war;
"Neither can we go before the coun-
try on the issue raised by article \.
If we do not intend to impair the
right of congress to decide the qucS-
ton Of peace or war when the time
for action arises, how Gun we insist
upon Il moral obligation 10 60 TO
war which can have no force or value
except as It does impair the indie
pendence Of congress? We owe II to
the world to ioin in an honest effort
to put an end to war forever, and
that effort should he made AT the earll-
est possible moment.
Should Raise Voice for Justice.
"What plan can Democratic
party have other than one that con
templates the popular election of those
delegates who, I'm the influence they
viii exert, win be next in importance
to the president himself?
"And what policy can the Democrat.
ic party have within the League Of
Nations other than one Of absolute In.
dependence and impartalIty between
the league members and the Lacquer
"Our nations voice should at all
times be raised in behalf Of equal and
exact justice between nations MS the
only basis Of permanent pence; il
should be raised in defense Of the
right of self-determination and in
procalming n spirit Of brotherhood ns
universal as the peace which we I'd
yocate."