The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-10-25
PEOPLES Sympathies Rule.

The public has had abundant JUST
fication for the widespread belief
that nothing remained unsaid, good
or evil. concerning the covenant OF
the league Of nations and its posi-
h!ities as an instrument of peace
or Of war as affects this country.
1t was not even expected that the
Hon. Ellhu Root. Americas most
eminent statesman. would contribute
anything In his only campaign speech
Of the year that could be coAnted
either unique or original. but there
was one thing OF such stupendous
significance that marked his address
in New York that both proleague and
antileague, reservation and antireser-
walton advocates should ponder 1t
well. That expression was that there
will be no more wars without the
sentiment Of the people behind them.
Even though IL was said by SO emil
nent person as Mr.. Root, we can
not eoncede that II il discovery of
the Republican party. 1t can not
even belong solely 10 the Democrats,
or the leaguers. or the antileaguers
1t is i simple statement OF a fact,
and truth, we take It, is nonpartisan
and nonfactional; commodity that
is not TO be cornered. boarded, ra-
toned or prohibited.
We are in the final days of a SOL
emn referendum on the league. with
In a week the people will have rem
dered their verdict. We believe in
the supremacy OF the people. We
believe in a government OF the peo-
pie for the people. Their voice is a
verdict from which there is no ap-
peal
II Gov, Cox Is elected president we
are profoundly convinced that It is
the will and desire OF the people that
he shall sit down with the senate and
formulate such reservations as are
helpful. interpretatiye and calculated
TO safeguard the interests OF the
United States. and that the senate.
as moral obligation. should pro-
coed to rgtify the covenant pledging
this country to guarantee the exist
ing political independence and ter
ritorial integrity OF every nation In
the world. now and forever. 4.
II Senator Harding Ia elected IL
should likewise be interpreted as Q
verdict OF the people against the
league. so far as It commits the
United States to undertake TO pre-
serve the political independence and
territorial integrity OF the European
nations that are so old theyl are
crumblins. or so recently formed that
they have not yet become aceus-
toned to thsR political boundaries.
II the result OF the election should
favor Gov. Cox and the league we
hope that the gentleman or lady, or
whoever Ii is that casts the vote in
the council of the league on behalf
of 10000. 900 Americans. will remem-
Der that while he or she has the
power TO commit the congress of the
United States TO moral obligation
to sustain the vote, that after all, as
Mr.. Root has said. this country will
engage in no war except the senti-
ment OF the people shall be in favor
Of IT,
II the result Of the election should
favor Senator Harding and oppose
the adoption OF the league, the fact
must not be lost sight OF that the
sentiment Of the people will prevail.
and II there is sufficient provocation.
II there Is no honorable way out OF
it, league or no league the honor OF
the nation will be preserved accord
ing 10 the traditional way that has
commanded the respect Of the world
during it's brief existence OF a little
less than a century and e half.
The referendum should be solemn.
The question Is one OF momentous
significance. 1t is one that involves
the future policy OF the government.
The voter must choose between the
traditional and the experimental Yet
there is comfort in the thought thai
after all the sympathy OF the people
must finally render the verdict, and
while The power to commit implies
authority TO compel there 10 no
bsci ground upon which TO visualize
the American people engaged in y
conflict in which '1Slr Sympethies do
not lie.