Putnam County herald. (Cookeville, Tenn.) 1903-1922, 1920-08-19

| James Nj. COX, the DemOcrat1c preS1
dental standard-bearer, as his para
mount policy.
In his address accepting the Demo
cratic nomination, Gov. Cox militant
ly championed the league as propos
ed by President Wilson, with inter.
pretations insuring good faith and
understanding, and denounced what
he termed the dishonorable proposal
from Senator Harding, his Republ1-
can opponent, for "a separate peace
with Germany"
League or no league, the Democrat
ic nominee declared, is the issue be-
tween the two parties-''the supreme
issue of the century" he said
"The question is" Gov. Cox de-
clared, whether we shall or shall
NOT join in this practical and hui
name movement. President Wilson
entered the league in our
name. Senator Harding, as the Re-
publican candidate for the presiden-
cy, proposes in plain words that we
remain out of it. AS the Democrat
ic candidate I favor going in.
Matter of Goo dFaith
Gov. Cox said the interpretations -
should. state our "intenpl citation of
the covenant as a matter of good
faith to our associat and as a pre-
caution against any mfsunderstand-
ing in the future" Assiling the
Lodge reservations ais emasculating
Gov. Cox suggested two specific Gin
terpretations," as outlined several
months ago in a newspaper article.
One declared Americas continuance
in the league should depend upon the
leagues use only as an agency for
world peace; the other stated the
understanding that this nation could
act only within the constitution, de-
clared unalterable by any treaty.
The door to other Interpretations"
was left open by Gov. Cox, but he
said that the Democratic platform
plank speaks in a firm resolution
against anything that disturbs the VI
tai principle" of the league.
No room for doubt was left as to the
Governors position on the league as
the pre-eminent political battle-ground.
AS on other subjects, he stated his po-
sition squarely.
"We are in time which calls for
straight thinking, straight talking and
straight acting" he said. TT is no
tine for wobbling."
In position, the league question led
the candidates address and to it he
devoted 5000 words of the 10,O00-odd
total ~
The prohibition amendment and
VOlstead law were not specified in the
address, but Cog. Cox romised EN-.
phatically strict law enforcement.
"The constitution" he said, sis the
license and limitation given to and
placed upon the lawmakng body. The
legislative branch of the government
is subjected to the rule of the major
ity The public official who fails to
enforce the law is an enemy both to
the constitution and to the American
principle of majority rule. 1t would
seem unnecessary for any candidate
for the presidency to say that he does
not intend to violate his oath of office.
Anyone who is false to that oath is
more unworthy than the law violator
himself.
Morals cannot easily be produced
by statute" Gov. Cox continued in
passing to plea against abuse of the
writ OF injunction.
Regarding woman suffrage, Gov.
Cox urged ratification of the proposed
am ndment, declaring
women "are entitled to the privilege
of voting as a matter of right, and
because they will be helpful in main
tanning wholesome and patriotic pol
ICY"
Opposition FIayed
His oppositibn-.cRndi ndidates plat
form, leaders and congressional rec
,rd-were fayed by Gov Cox in
scathing terms throughout his long
address. A senatorial oligarchy,"l
ed by senators Lodge, Penrose, and
Smoot, Gov. Cox charged, selected
senator Harding to lead the Republi-
,ans and fastened "into the party /,
platform the creed of bitterness and ;
rate and the vacillating policy that
'ossesses it, The Republican st md,
was scored by the gover-l
lor as reactionary and on the league
uestion he said the party's candi-
ate was bent to the frreconcilable
ostiMty Of Senator Johnson of Cali
ornia. The Republican congress,
he governor asserted, failed to pass :
constructive law or to reduce war
axes 8a ..,..a ,I[
Millions In campaign funds have
cen gathered for ''the reactionary
ause," the governor charged, deplor-
ng election Of q new administration :
under corrupt auspices" and del :
handing publicity for 'the plain 8
ruth" regarding all uocfrfbutions
nd disbursements. The democrats. Q
e added, would not attempt ito COM a
etc by dollars" He warned the 9
ountry against cunning devices q