The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-10-30
As TIE EMO APPROACHES.

may be pertinent to point a moral q
two In connection Herewith. The Issue
In tho nation ana IN TENNESSEE are an
ferent. hut tho character or cannpalf,
IN both Il very similar, In the nation
the democrats present d record Of con
struction, a truly remnrlEable one. will
a definite program for future accom-
plishment. The republicans base thel
campaign on series Of complaints. o,
alleged flaws, and fault -findings whicl
are attended by an admitted inablIit,
to frame a constructive program fo
the future. The best showing they hav,
been able TO make 90 far Is Senate,
Harding's promise to call the wise mel
together after election and endeavor II
decide what ought TO be done,
Behind . barrage Of criticims q
President Wilson, the opposition Il en-.
dcavorinR 10 conceal rs own poverty o,
constructive issues. The leaders ari
shrewd enough to know that In the
progress OF events such az the country
has passed through within the past few
years, there will inevitably be incidents
which will cause temporary local irri-
tntion, TO be frank, mistakes WIN be
made. In preparation for the campaign
now practically over. the country was
Faked 40 with fine toothed comb for
instances out Of which to make political
capital. During the period under COM
bideration, President Wilson has been
the central figure. and this has operated
to make him the target Of criticism.
And this criticism has hxed for itself no
bounds Of prcpriety.
White criticism OF officials IL ono Of
the vested rights OF American citixen-
ship. It's exercise does not--necessa
-~indicate ability or progressive vision.
Criticism which 10 not constructive 10
OF little value. II leads nowhere but
TO confusion. And this u the kind by
which the preaident has been assailed.
II IL q mean character OF censure which
takes no cognizance Of the great things
which have been accomplished within
the past eight YEARS. some Of them the
most important IN the country'H hiss
tory, but has concerned itself with
petty affairs Of small moment. And IN
none OF these does It point the way I'd
Improvement. II - Of such Z spirit AZ
would ind tho spots or the sun, but
would take no note. OF the beams OF
warmth ana rays 81 light constantly
being sent QUE
The record OF the democratic party.in
pfiice during the present administration
ID matter for inspection and iegiti-
mate criticism by the humhlast citizen.
There IL probably not an Individual
democrat but what might change some
Item Of the record, II he could, but
taken as whole, the record Is one
which may challenge favorable cornpari-
son with any similar period in the |
sountry's history. After years will nd
.eccgrixe Il when the asperIties Of the
are forgotten. Measures, emf
rely aside from the war, which have
,een enacted and put into successful I
,parAtion are indeed Of epochai siRnifi- |
lance. MANY OF these are so benehcent |
10 TO be entirely free from objection.
As already observed, however, the oi5- |
,osition this year IL based upon fault
hiding. There Ii no forward Iook--no
constructive plan. Such campaign II
'ureiy reactionary whether 30 intended
r not. Republican leaders are engaged
yer scenes and incidents OF the past--i
hose which cannot be reca1lsd--but L
hey absolutely refuse to tell Us what
( the future. The most modern issue
pom which Mr.. Harding 10 willing TO !
AXE an unequivocal stand IL the tariff!
Ibout other matters we shall have 70
vait until after the election for In
prmation. On the other hand. Gov. Cox,
he democratic leader. frankly declares
hat war 10 one OF the greatest .eviis In
he world and that he Is anxious to CO.
pcrate In every reasonable way with
ther nations TO prevent II. i,
When recurring war is made less
robabie. Gov. Cox announces that he I
Ill at once begin the agitation OF al
isarmament program. His opponent is
I'LL talking about preparedness for
'arl With the savings from a lower ,
e of war expenditures. Gov. Cox
'ould develop tho Internal resources OF
,e country. On every issue, he Is look
IL TO the future. And he has behind !
I'm record OF progressive works which
rovcs his faith. On this score. how Z
YER. Mr.. Harding Is strictly In line 4
It'll his manner OF campaign. There I
I nothing In his record to which he y
w point with pride. He has been IN I
10 senate pearly six years. but moth !
q he did there Is thought worthy Of :
tation by his party. Yet he and they 1
I'VE tho presumption to and fault with {
% doers! $500 M g
In the state campaign. we are con-
onted with similar situation. Tho y
cord OF construction Is on the side !,
the democratic party. II has en- n
untercd difiicult problems and solved Q
en-. Il ID still looking ahead. While .
edging itself TO the correction o. mis- Y
kes made. II recognizes that the mill Il
never turned by the water that Ii
Ist. II believes IN keeping step with
% wofid's great forward movement. Z
II. az In the nation, 1t Ia confronted \
: pointlcgs criticism by those who APP n
rentiy think whatever Ia IL wrong, but q
no do not know what ought to be O
ne. The opposing candidate, like =
arding. served six years In congress. q
Il not an item Of HIS record there Is Z,
except that he voted to y
anaele the south y
tie this year for the first time. The n
,mcn have been enfranchised and,l p
lung men have come OF age. Does 81
policy Of reaction, OF opposition, ap-l Q
al TO these7 Is It. not rather their " y,
nbltion, IN casting their frst ballots. y,
support great constructive measures, I,
ensures which are engaging the III
,rld's best thought? Are they willing d
vote for and trust those who re- K
~ 10 outline their plans until after y
ection7 DO they want TO 20 back "
ardt II they answer the last two y
Iestions In the Affirmative. they are I,
ady TO support the republican ticket, o
Iticnal and state. But we do not be-. "
've this--wo believe their faces are d
rned to the morning. =.