The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-09
FLAYS The C. 0. P.
Homer S. Cummings Declares
Democrats U. S. Only Hope.
OfieialIy Notifies Franklin
Roosevelt of His Nomination.
MUST RENTER WORLD POLITIC
America Cannot Remain Aloof
in European Crisis.
Must Regain Own Self Respect
and Respect of World.
MUST RENTER WORLD POLITIC

Hyde Park. n. Y, Aug. 9.-The
American people have paid a stag
gering penalty for the Republican
victory at the polls in 1918, Homer 5.
Cummings declared here today in
formally notifying Franklin d. Roose-
Welt of his nomination as >the Demo-
cratic party's candidate for the vice
presidency.
Undisputed in the material and
moral leadership of the world" when
the armistice was signed, he said,
who will deny that our title to that
leadership has been grievously impair
ed If not completely lost?"
What has happened to account for
this lowering of morale and the for
fixture of the place of honor which
had been won by American arms and
American craftsmanship? Mr.. Cum
mings asked.
Party Politics Scored.
1.-The answer is not far to seek.
Practically coincident with the publ
cation of the armistice came the news
that the Republican party had been
successful in the congressional cleo
tions of 1918. From that moment
American progress stopped, partisan
ship took possession of public affairs
and Republican leaders became more
interested in political success than in
national honor The results were i'm
Every enemy of society, of peace
or of civilization took quick advan-
tage of the fatal period of hesitancy.
American commerce, which ought to
have been seeking every port in the
world. was unable to develop adequate
/ trade channels or find settled basis for
development. All the processes of ma
tional life were impaired and there
was a gradual accumulation of do
mestic problems which have not been
adjusted and which cannot be satisfac-
torily dealt with until our relationship
to the rest of the world has been
determined"
Flays G. o. P. Convention.
! Speaking of the Republican conven-
| ton at Chicago, Mr. Cummings said
| ''timidity and cunning were the es-
sential characteristics of the platform
adopted here.
TT seems to be the product of men
i who have lived for many years in the
blind stupor of moral negation," he
said. adding that the Republican can
didate ultimately chosen was not in
| fact the choice of any considera BILE
number of the delegates" and that the
nomination could not evoke any
| popular response. and. indeed, it failed
to create any enthusiasm in the reg
| istering convention itself"
| THE Republican party since 1912"
| Mr.. Cummings said, "has been the
| party of destructive. criticism. 1t has
made a specially of fault finding. In
peace, in war and in our relations with
other countries. the settled purpose of
Republican leadership has been to
make trouble. irrespective of the mer-
| its of any problem involved. It has
persistentlv sought to increase irrita-
ton and discomfort rather than to al
| lay them. From every element of dis
cord. and even of sedition. 1t has
sought to draw some resultant of parti-
san advantage. It's purpose has been
and still is. reputation and retreat"
Must Re-enter World Politics.
upon the horizon, war clouds have
gathered again. There has not been
an hour since the November elections
| of 1918 during which the American
people have not paid a staggering pen
atty for the Republican triumph of
that year. We have now passed thru
two years of domestic and interna-
tional chaos. There is but one way
out.
There is but one clear path Of duty.
| 1t is to redeem Americas word to the
world and to assume, without hesita-
ton. our share of the task of rehabil-
itating the broken structure of civih-
zation. When we have once more
gained our own self-respect. we shall
win back the respect of the world"