The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-08-07

Chairman Robinson, and men,
bers Of the notification committee:
THE message which you bring from
the great conference OF progressive
thought assembled under the for
NAL auspices of the Democratic
party inspires within me pride
and an appreciation which l can
not voice. At the same time am
mindful Of the responsibility which
this function now officially places
upon me. AS / measure my own
limitations the task ahead Of US
should be appreciated with more
than feeling OF difiidence il I
were not strengthened and reassur-
ed by the faith that one has only
TO practice true fidelity to con-
+ science. 1t is not the difficult thing
I 70 know what we ought to do; the
sense Of right and wrong has been
given with Divine equality. The
mistakes of history are the result
LOT weakness in the face of tempt
ting interests. I thank God, there
fore. that / take up the standard
iiOf democracy q free man, unfetter-
led by promises and happy in the
consciousness of untrammeled op-
portunity to render service in
the name Of government that will
hold for it the confidence which IL
deserves.
st No Time for webbing.
We are in time which calls for
straight thinking, straight talking
and straight acting. This is no
time for w0bbling. Never in all
our history has more been done
for government. Never was sac
fifice more sublime. The most
4 precious things Of heart and home
were given up in a spirit which
guarantees the perpetuity OF our
tnstitutiOns-if the faith is kept
s with those who served and suffer
+ ID. The altar of our republic is
S1fenched in blood and tears, and
ne who turns away from the trag-
edies and obligations of the war
not cOnsecrated to q sense of hon
T or and of duty which resists every
base suggestion of personal or po-
litical expediency, is unworthy OF
the esteem Of his countrymen.
Platform Clear.
The men and women who by ex-
4 pressed policy at the San Fran
cisco convention charted our course
IN the open seas Of the future
sensed the spirit of the hour and
phrased it with clarity and cour-
age. 1t is not necessary to read
and reread the Democratic plat
form to know its meaning. 1t is a
document clear in its analysis OF
conditions and plain in the pledge
or service made to the public. II
carries honesty Of word and in.
tent Proud of the leadership and
achievement OF the party in war
Democracy faces unafraid the
& problems Of peace. Indeed, its pro-
\ n0uncement has but to be read
y Along with the platform framed BY
Republican leaders in order that
both spirit and purpose as they
dominate the opposing organiza-
( tons may be contrasted. On the
One hand We see pride expressed
II the nations glory and a promise
A u service easily understood. On
the other, captious, unhappy
splrit and the treatment of subjects
vltAl to the present and the future
Y u terms that have completely con-
fused the public mind. 1t was
! clear that the senatorial oligarchy
hAd been given its own way in the
4 oelection of the presidential candi-
date, but it was surprising that II
vns able to fasten into the party
plAtfOrm the creed of hate and bit
teFness and the vacillating policy
thAt>possesses it.
Reviews Treaty Fight.
In the midst Of war the present
SENATORIAL cabal, led by Senator's
Lodge. Penrose and Smoot, was
1ormed. Superficial evidence of
loyllty to the president was DELHI
\ Srate in order that the great rank
and file Of their party. faithful and
Yetriotic to the very core. might
Fl ~ BE- offended. But underneath
b ~ misleading exterior, conspir-
MRS planned and plotted. with
& oted seal. With victory to our
lea thsy delayed and obstructed
= of1n Of peaoa- II deemed use-
70 the work In haaA no artifice
NJ inteffering with or cuns&atu-
foal poace-ma1ing anthce1ty waa
6cted Hoc1Fe IL country knew
beforo thAoe W1n themselye,