The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1920-08-07
LEAGUE OR
NOLEACUE
!. DECLARES COX
Paramount Issue of Cam
paign Democratic Candi-
date Says

DAYTON, Ohio, Aug. Peace fol
America and the world by this ma
tons entrance into the League Of
Nations with Interpretation" mo-
disturbing itssvital principle, was pro
nounced today by Gov. Cox, the de-
mocratic presidential standard bearer
as his paramount policy.
In his address here accepting the
democratic nomination, Gov Coz
militantly championed the League as
proposed by President Wilson, with
interpretations insuring good faith
and understanding, and denounced
what he termed the dishoorable pro-
posal from Senator Harding, his re-
publican opponent for "a separate
peace with Germany"
League or no League, the democra-
tic nominee declared, is the issue be-
tween the two parties-"the supreme
issue of the country he said.
"The question is" Gov. Cox declar-
ed" whether we shall or shall not join
in this practical and humane move.
ment. President Wilson entered
the League in our name. Senator
Harding, as the republican candidate
for the presidency proposes in plain
words that we remain out of it. AS
the democratic candidate | favor go
ing in.
"The first duty of the new admin
straton will be ratification of the
treaty." Gov. Cox said, predicting
that friends Of the league would raj
ly to elect a senate with the requisite
majority for ratification.
Gov. Cox said the Interpretations"
should state "our Interpretation of the
covenant as matter of good faith to
our associates and as precaution
against any misunderstanding in the
future" Assailing the Lodge reser-
vations as emasculating, Gov. Cox
suggested two specific "interpreta-
tions," as outlined several months ago
in newspaper article. One declar-
ed Americas continuance in the Lea
que should depend upon the League 5
use only as an agency for world
peace; the other stated the under
standing that this nation could act
only within the Constitution, declared
unalterable by any treaty. :,
The door to other Interpretations
was left open by Gov. Cox, but he
said that the democratic platform
"speaks in a. firm resolution against
anything that disturbs the vital prln-
ciple" of the League.
No room for doubt was left as the
Governors position on the League as
the pre-eminent political battle-ground
AS on other subjects, he stated his
pOsitiOn sOuarely.
"We are in a time which calls for
straight thinking, straight talking and
straight acting" he said, "it is no time
for wobbling." i,
In position, the League question led
the candidates address and to it he
devoted three thousand words of the
10000 word total.
The prohibition amendment and
the Volstead Law were not specified
in the address, but Gov. Cox promis-
ed emphatically strict law enforce
ment.
"The Constitution" he said, "is the
license and limitation given to and
placed upon the lawmaking body.
The Legislative branch of government
is subjected to the rule of the mai
ority. 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 unnecessary for any candidate
for the presidency to say that he does
not intend to violate his oath of office.
Continued on Page 81