The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-10-28
THE CAMPAIGN OF 1920
VIII. Summing Up
By Prof. Levant Dodge
BY Prof

The Citizen had not space for an
article from my pen last week. We
now come TO the last issue before
the election; and IL seems proper that
] hastily summarize the points which
have been made. The platforms Of
the two great parties did not furnish
any great. overshadowing issue. A
large part Of each was made up Of
innocent general statements TO which
people generally might accede. The
nearest approach TO concrete issue
is found in the fact that the one
sharply criticised and the other I'M
dualifedly approved the administra-
ton Of President Wilson. The great
est emphasis, perhaps, was laid up-
on the so-called Covenant Of
League Of Nations" But upon this
point the utterances Of both conven-
tions were sufficiently guarded TO
make sure that differences Of opinion
would still be manifest among the
duntitutc VI DoNn pdiNtSs iht ~
ceptance speeches Of the nominees
only partly clarified the situation.
However, the visit Of Governor Cox
TO the President. at Washington. and
the announcement that they were "as
enc" in their views placed Cox
pretty solidly with that wing Of the
Democratic party which took it's cue
from Wilson and regarded the League
as the paramount issue.
But II already has been shown
that there is no hope Of the Wilson
policy being carried out, even IL Cox
should be elected. II would require
two-thirds vote Of the Senate TO
ratify the treaty Of peace with the
League attached, as the President
insists. Only thirty-two of the
ninety-six Senator's reach the end OF
their present term on the 4th of
March next. Many Of the hold over
Democrats and n part Of the present
Democratic candidates are uncompro-
misingly opposed to the proposed
League. II is not at all probable
that Cox could control these more ef-
fectually than Wilson could do. Cox's
abusive campaign has solicited Re-
publicans against him. Many of
them who. for the sake Of hasten
ing peace, would have met the Presi-
dent part way are now much less
ready to waive their objections. And
so. with Cox elected. the desire Of
our sentimental friends to be in the
League. with all the attendant en-
harrassments, would be as far from
realization as ever.
I have seen somewhere in print
what the writer evidently expected
to be accepted as an extract from
my article in The Citizen of Ssptem-
Der 80. In view Of the marked fail
ure 10 quote my words correctly, it
is little TO be wondered at that the
attempt at mind reading, in saying
what was my intention in beginning
series of articles, did not prove a
perfect success. And so I think !
must look elsewhere for an expert to
help me classify myself. whether as
one Of "the bitter partisans" or one
of "the ignorant and illiterate.'
But seriously, il is almost impos-
sible TO account for the attitude OF
the good people who seem likely 10
sink all considerations as to the moral
fitness Of the candidates, in their
zeal TO promote peace. II it were
true that the supporters Of Cox were
the friends Of peace and that the sup
porters of Harding do not care for
reace, the former class would be the
wiser and the better persons. But
Il is not true. We see a large mum.
, Der Of nations in the League, but sew.
eral wars going on merrily on. Hall
of the American people honestly be.
, lieve that the influence Of the United
, States. in the affairs of the world
| will be much more powerful in favor
of peace and justice, II We keep out
of this League. than II we go In. II
is amusing 10 be interviewed per.
sonally and to receive marked art.
ieles through the mails, as IL I were
some benighted heather, ignorant OF
the first principles of Political Sci.
ence. have read literature upon
the Wilson-Cox-League side far
more than upon the other side.
find fallacies at every turn. Some
act as II they thought we are b
, vote direct upon the question of the
, League. Friends, cannot you see
that the proposed Covenant of the
League stands no chance whatever
of being ratified by us! believe
that a large majority Of our people
of all parties, IL the question is
, fairly presented. shrink from enter
, ing into a solemn agreement TO helT
any nation 10 hold its present terri
tory, whether that territory was