The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-07-05
League Planks-State and
National.

We have maintained all along that
the responsibility assumed by the self
appointed guardians Of Democracy 10
read other Democrats out Of the party,
because of their position on the league
of nations, had it's inspiration in
vindictlvenesS and personal malice.
While II was gratifying TO see our
attitude on the question vindicated, the
real solcitude was occasloned by fear
that the Democratic convention under
duress would be compelled TO take an
Illogical and disastrous attitude which
could not help but be reflected in the
returns from the November election.
No issue involving the foreign rela-
tons of the United States can be re-
solved into a party question. II is and
always must be an American question.
We remember all too well the conse-
quences visited upon the party when
Mr.. Wilson asked the country to give
him Democratic congress to help pros
eeute the war because the Democrats
are more patriotic than Republicans.
The expression cost the Democratic
party control OF both branches OF the
triotic Republicans who were support
ing the president and the government in
all measures necessary for the success
full prosecution OF the war. The coun-
try elected a Republican house Of repre-
sentatives as result OF tho presidents
unfortunate request at a time when the
Republicans did not want control, and
with clear majority OF the members
Speaker Clark was permitted to hold
hla place undisturbed while the house
was safely Republican. g..
The same reaction would have result
ed from clear-cut demand for the
ratification OF the peace treaty and the
league covenant. as those documents
were handed to the president and in
turn submitted by him TO the senate for
ratification. Fortunately there were
enough delegates in the convention
with sound judgment and common
sense TO prevent the administration
forces from repeating the tragedy OF
reading out OF the party and de-
nouncing those who supported reserva-
lions as traitors.
In our judgment, and according to the
Democratic national platform, the
league OF nations is not party issue,
because there Ii too much difference
OF opinion on the subject among Demo-
Gratis and Republicans alike. A Demo-
erat may favor unreserved ratification,
ratification with reservations, or he
may oppose the league OF nations alto
gether without loss OF caste as a party
man.
When II is remembered that all but
six Of the Democratic senators voted for
reservations of one kind or another. II
will readily be understood how fool
hardy II would have been for the con-
vention to have compiled with the de-
mand for ratification without dotting
an 4 or crossing t. and how rea-
sonable It is TO have a platform that
practically invites reservations.
There is, of course, no relief for the
embarrassment of those who assumed
they were voting the presidents con-
victions in opposing observations when
he comes out approving the conven-
tion action We must leave the senator
who regarded the Walsh amendment as
a document Of he'll" and Carter Glass
who was so peeved that he threatened
to seek it's elimination on the floor OF
the convention, to their modification
and let them think what they Will OF the
telephone service between San Fran
cisco and the White House
AS for the Tennessee platform ex-
nression OH the league covenant. that
very insincere and stupid document In
spired in venom and adopted in
hatred, got what It deserved from the
national convention. but 1t viii perhaps
never enter the craniums Of the bovine
intellects that wrote that masterpiece
of scintillating ignorance that their in
significance has been accentuated by
the action OF the national convention
and that immunity from humiliation is
guaranteed by the thickness Of their
skulls, behind which they are harri-
caded by impenetrahle darkness.