Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-09-23
OUR QUESTIONS TO GOVERNOR COX.

The makers of our federal constitution have gen.
orally been regarded as fairly wise men by every
body except President Wilson, and. possibly, Gov
ernor Cox.
They had before them for consideration several
forms of government.
There we're those among them who favored
nearly pure democracy wherein the people passed
directly upon the exact legislation contemplated,
much after the fashion of the old Boston Town
Meeting where the people enacted their laws in
public gatherings duly called for that purpose.
There were others who believed limited mon
archy to be the best thing in the circumstances.
The convention decided upon republic wherein
the people would choose from among themselves
those regarded the wisest and most Trustworthy
who would after election, enact the laws and adj
minister the government. The fathers were doubt
elss right in their feeling that the average man
could exercise fair Judgment in selecting his repre-
sentatives but could know nothing of the technique
of law making The system has worked very well
with few notifications. Its makers have been re-
gerded as almost inspired in their wisdom
Taking this written instrument as the basis of
all our liberties we have reached, fidelity to it as
fundamental to our national safely and that de-
partures from it should be made with extreme eau
lion and great forehought
We have urged, increasingly, reliance upon law
and order" and the orderly processes of the law
The instrument itself provides the method of its
The constitution may not be altered lightly and with
out due caution. All this is well.
But our chosen representatives could not agree
mon the details Of the covenant of the League Of
Nations Instead of resorting to a system OF COM
PROMISES until they could agree, has been the
custom of lawmakers for over one hundred
years. and has been the history of every important
niece OF legislation during existence. President
Wilson submitted his detailed League of Nations in
a "solemn referendum to the people.
This is not merely the presenting of the issue
of league of nations to the people and. after their
sanction of the policy the negotiation and prepare
ton of a detailed covenant by our representatives
IT is an effort to present previously prepared
covenant In all its details to the American people
for their approval
BY this method President Wilson seeks to over
turn the system representative government estab-
liehed by our forefathers and to submit his proposal
to the people direct as in pure democracy by
this act he shows disregard for our revered form
of government in his ardor to have his own way
without compromise.
Thus an effort is made to throw back upon the
unframed minds of the people the decision, in YER
batim FORM of the most complex, involved and dan
gerous piece of international understanding which
has ever confronted America
Not one thousand men in America have the
equipment in education knowledge of international
law international diplomacy. International aspra-
tons and conflicting interests and the multiplied
dangers Of international entangements to pass
upon the merits of such a covenant in its details
Yet President Wilson asks us to put the stamp OF
our individual approval upon this offspring of his
mind, by voting for Governor Cox.
President Wilson will construe the election or
Mr. Cox to be favorable result for the League
Covenant exactly as he brought it home. viii Mr..
Cox SO regard his election?
President Wilson fails to see that other issues
Influence the election and that democratic victory
would not necessarily imply approval of his league
in unmodified form. Does Governor Cox also fali
to see this?
1t is upon these premises that we predicate the
questions directed to Governor Cox on our iroht
page.