The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-08-09
That Is The Campaign
 Issue He Declares In Acceptance Speech
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 as the Democratic candidate flor Vice President and designated the commit tee which you see before you, to con- vey to you officially the tidings of the nomination and the desire of the con- venton that you should accept it. This action, therefore, affords the Democ- racy of the Nation an opportunity to express the satisfaction which it feels in the result of its d!liberations and the high respect and personal afec- ton in which you are held by Demo- crats everywhere. s's.
 "I cannot refrain from commenting upon the differences, easily notice able, which characterized the delfber- ations of the. two major national con- ventions. The Chicago platform was the result of a series of carefully cal culated compromises. Timid1ty and cunning are its essential characteris- tfcs-is-It offers no remedy for the evils of which it complains and it seems to be the product of men who have lived for many years in the blind stupor of moral negation: Following the adop- ton of such platform. those who had taken charge of the work of the con- lvention, proceeded to the business of nominations. Here again the process of compromise was adopted, compl1- oated as it. was by charges and coun-
 
 acter relative to the improper and ex- Icessiye use of pre-convention campaign funds The candidate ultimately cho- sen was not in fact the choice of any consi derab1le mum Der of the delegates. Every candidate before the conven- ton who had shown any evidence of tpoT1rlar support was rejected by lmetI1ods well understood by the in f1tiated; and the choice ultimat Ny fell lon one who, in the prophetic language of his present campaign manager, was elected as a result of a conference held in the early hours of the morn ling by weary men around a table in a. IChicago hotel. It cannot for a mo- ;ment be supposed that a nomination, could evoke any popular response, and. indeed, it failed to create any on nthusiasm even in the registering iconvention itself.
 '"The proceedings at San Francisco were of another sort. Every debat- able question was settled upon the open floor of the convention; every group had a full hearing; every right ful interest was faithfully presented< The platform, expressive of the best thought of America and an earnest purpose to retrieve the world leader ship which our country has lost, was adopted amid great enthusiasm; and the selection of candidates for Pres ident- and Vice President went for ward in manner truly democratic, representative and American. No m ember of our party can quarrel with the results of the conventions; and there is not one truthful observer who will challenge the fairness of its de- Alterations, the justness of its pro ceedings, or the legitimate character of its conclusions. The candidates of the San Francisco convention emerged from the deliberations of that body as the free choice of a united party, bear ine, no taint upon their title to leader ship, honor and respect. The Repub- lican party, since 1912,. has been the party of obstructive criticism. It has made a speciality of fault findings. In peace, in war and in our relations with other ceIntrieS, the settled pur- pose of Republican leadership has q. been to make trouble, irrespective of the merits of any problem involved It has persistently sought to increase irritation and discontent rathar than to allay them. From every element of discord, and even of sedition, it has sought to draw some resultant of par tisan advantage. It's purpose has been and still is, repudiation and retreat.
 The Democratic party, since 1912 has been the party of constructive progress. During the brief period be- fore the outbreak of the Great War our program of progressive legiSla. tion was carried practically to com. pletion--an undying record of honor During the, war, every problem o1 statecraft was successfully met ant every essential question bearing upor the conduct of hostilities was rightly solved When the contest closed and the a.rmistice was signed, America was not only the most powerful ana the most honored nation on earth, bu it had won the affection of struggling humanity everywhere and was thu unchaflenged leader of the world This is not the statement of exagger alton. It is the calm recital of indis putable fact. Who will deny tha upon the signing of the armistice ou bcountry held the material and mora leadership of the world? Who will deny that our title to that lead dershil has been grievously impaired, if no completely lost? Who will deny tha the disinterestedness of our country which was everywhere acknowledged is now seriously questioned even b. those who formerly trusted us? Wh' will deny that there has been a fallini away from the high faith with whicl we conducted the great enterpris which but yesterday engaged ou every thought and brought the hope
 
 ization?
 '*Wfat has happened to account fo this lowering of the national moral and the forfeiture of the place 0
 honor which had been won by Ameri can arms and American statesman ship? The answer is. not far to seek Practically coincident with the puIbli cation of, the armisthce came the new that the Republican party had bee
 successful in the Congressional cleo lions in 1918. From that moment
 American progress stopped partisan ship took possession of public affair and Republican leaders became nor Interested in political success than i
 national honor. The results were i'm
 mediate and disastrous.
 International complications of
 perplexing and sinister character re newed their challenge to the state
 craft of the world. Threatening dis
 turbances went on unabated. Ever
 enemy of society, of peace or of civil
 tzation took quick advantage of tn al of h erica