Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1920-07-10
Lodges Proposals Condemned.

sSN6~ 'SfSSaiS SSH6CHtHGa
Thus to uar which Mr.. Lodge. in saner
moments, considered the blacklist crime"
he and his party in madness sought to
give the sanctty of law; that which eigh-
teen months ago was OF everlasting dis
honor the Republican party and its can
didates today accept as the essence of
faith.
We indorse the presidents view of our
International obligations and his firm
stand against reservations designed to
cut to pieces the vital provisions in con-
gress for voting against resolutions for
separate peace which would disgrace the
nation. We advocate the immediate rat
lhcation of the treaty without reserva-
lions which would impair its essential in
tegrity; but do not oppose the acceptance
of any reservations making clearer or
more specific the obligations Of the United
States to the League of Nations. Only
by doing this may we retrieve the repu-
tation of this nation among the powers
Of the earth and recover the moral lead
ership which President Wilson won and
which Republican politicians at Washing
ton sacrificed. Only by doing this may
we hope to aid effectively in the resto-
ration of order throughout the world and
to take the place which we should as
sumo In the front rank of spiritual COM
mercial and Industrial advancement.
We reject as utterly vain, il not vicious.
the Republican assumption that ratifica-
ton of the treaty and membership in the
League of Nations would in any wise
our country. The fact that the cove
nant has been entered into by % nations
all as jealous of their independence as
We are of ours. is a sufficient refutation
OF such charge. The president repeatedly
has declared, and this convention reaf-
firms. that all our duties and obligations
as member of the league must be full
filled in strict conformity with the Con-
stitution OF the United States. embodied
in which is the fundamental requirement
of declaratory action by the congress be-
fore this nation may become a partici-
pant in any war.
| Conduct of the War.
During the war President Wilson exhih-
Tied the very broadcast conception of lib
eral Americanism. In his conduct of the
war. as In the general administration of
his high office. there was no semblance
of partisan bias. He invited to Washing
ton as his councillors and coadjutors hun
dreds OF the most prominent and pro-
nounced Republicans in the country. To
these he committed responsibilities OF the
gravest import and most confidential ma
ture. Many of them had charge of vital
activities of the government
And yet. with the war successfully pros
ecuted and gloriously ended the Repub-
lican party in congress, far from an
plauding the mastery leadership Of the
president and felicitating the country or
the amazing achievements of the Ameri-
can government. has meanly requited the
considerate course of the chief magistrate
by savagely defaming the Commander In
chief of the army and navy, by assailinp
nearly every public officer of every
branch of the service intimately con.
cerned in winning the war abroad and
conserving the security of the govern.
ment at home.
We express to the soldiers and tbs
sailors of America the admiration ~
their fellow countrymen Guided by
the genius of such comma nders a.
Gen. John ]. Pershing the armed force
-
tor in the victory and brought new
luster to the flag.
We commend the patriotic men anc
women who sustained the efforts OF
their government in the crucial hours
of the war and contributed to the
/ brilliant administrative success