New-York tribune., 1920-08-08
Full Text of
Cox's Speech
OF Acceptance
Continued from preceding pase)

knows conditions abroad and here. The
difference between autocracy and de-
mocracy is we'll marked in his mind
He is opposed to government in any
form, and he hates ours because it
vert to his creed. Any policy of ter
rorism is fuel to his flame of anarchy
Those whom he seeks to arouse, in
time realize the difference between
his and their mental attitude, so that
when the law lays hand upon his will
full menace to government the purpose
of it becomes plain to them.
Official contempt for the law is
harmful exhibition to our people. 1t
is difficult to follow the reasoning of
any one who would seek to make an
issue of the question of law enforce
ment. The executive obligation, both
national and state, on assuming the
oath of Office is TO "preserve, protect
and defend the Constitution of the
United States" The Constitution, in
its essence, is the license and limita-
tion given to and placed upon the law
making body. The legislative branch
of government is subjected to the rule
Of the majority. 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 quite unnecessary for
any candidate for the Presid idency to
say that he does not intend to violate
his oath of Office. Any one who is
false to that oatn is more unworthy
than the law violator himself
Morals cannot easily be produced by
statute. The writ Of Injunction should
not be abused. Intended as a safe
guard to person and property, it could
easily by abuse cease to be the pro-
tective device it was intended to be.
Collective Bargaining Endorsed
Capital develops into large units
without violence to public sentiment
principle should not be denied to labor.
Collective bargaining through the
means of representatives selected by
the employer and employee, respec-
lively. will be helpful rather than
harmful to the general interest. Be-
sides, there is no ethical objection
that can be raised to it. We should
not by law abridge a mans right either
to labor or to quit his employment.
However, neither labor nor capital
should at any time or in any circum-
stances take action that would put in
jeopardy the public welfare.
We need a definite and precise state
ment of policy as to what business
men and workingmen may do and
may not do by way Of combination
and collective action. The law is. now
so nebulous that it almost turns upon
judge or jury. This does not make
for confidence in the courts nor re-
spect for the laws, nor for a healthy
activity in production and distribution.
There surely will be found ways by
which cooperation may be encouraged
without the destruction of enterprise
The rules of business should be made
more certain so that on a stable basis
men may move with confidence.
Government, however, should pro-
vide the means in the treatment Of
It's employees, to keep in touch with
conditions and to rectify wrong. 1t
is needless to say that in order to
be consistent facts should at all times
justify the pr--supposition that the
government employees are properly
compensated
The child life Of the nation should
be conserved; if labor in immature
years is permitted by one generation
IL ID PAdSelSiliS uu1dlINcoS W lic ASN~
Agriculture and Industry
Agriculture is but another form of
industry. In fact, it is the basis OF
industry because upon it depends the
food supply. The drift from country
side into the city carries disquetine
portents. If our growth in manufac
turing in the next few years holds it,
present momentum it will be neces
sary for America to import foodstuffs
1t therefore devolves upon govern
ment through intensive scientific CO
operation, to help in maintaining as
nearly as possible the existing balance
between food production and con
sumption. Farming will not inspr
individual effort unless profits, al
things considered, are equal to thos
in other activities. An additional chec
to depleted ranks in the fields woul
! be the establishment of modern state
rural school codes. The Federal gov
ernment should maintain active spon
sorship Of this. Rural parents woult
be lacking in the element which make
civilization enduring if they did no
desire for their children educatona
opportunities comparable to those il
the cities. The price the consume
pays for foodstuffs is no indication O
what the producer receives. There ar
too many turnovers between the two
Society and government, PARTICULAR