South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-08-08
cox SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE

become a historic institution. The
practice has spread into other COM
monwealths. and bands OF noble men
and women are rendering great
service. There should be no en-
croachment by the federal govern
mcnt on local control. II Is the
heaIthful. reasonable individualism
Of American national life that has
enabled the citizens OF this republic
TO think for themselves. and besides.
state and community initiative WOULD
be impaired by anything approach
ing dependence. The central gov
eminent. however, can inventory the
possibilities Of pr gressive education.
and in helpful manner create an en-
larged public interest in this sub
ject.
There will be no attempt in this
campaign TO compete by dollars with
our opposition. So many people
have been in the money gathering
business for the reactionary cause
that the millions already in hand
are more or less a matter OF gen
eral information. All that we ask IL
that both parties deal in the utmost
good faith with the electorate and
tell the plain truth as 20 the amounts
received the contributors. and the
items OF disbursements. The public
Judgment in elections should be rem
dcred after the fullest hearing pos
sible. Each side has the right TO
properly present its case. This is a
legitimate expense. There is no mar
row dividing line between the legit-
innate and illegitimate in political
campaigns. One contemplates the
organization and maintenance of
such facilities as are necessary 10
advise the people Of the facts bear
ing upon the issues; the other car
ries the deliberate purpose 10 inter
fere with the honest rendering OF
verdict How misguided some of our
people are Recognizing that read
Justment must be made, they believe
that they Will fare better If they
cast their fortunes with those with
whom they dealt on the base OF
campaign contributions in days gone
by. They do not sense the dangers
that threaten. The sort OF read
iustment which will appeal TO our
self-respect and ultimately. 10 our
general prosperity, is the honest re-
adjustment. Any unfair adjustment
simply delays the ultimate process
and we should remember the lesson
OF history that one extreme usually
leads 10 another. We desire indus
trial peace. We want our people 20
have an abiding confidence in gov
eminent. but no reimbursement made
urder reaCtionary auspices. will carry
with IL the confidence OF the coun-
try. If l were asked to name in
these trying days the first essential
OvershadOwing every other consid-
Grafton. the response would be con
tidenCe in government. 1t would be
nothing less than a calamity IL the
next administration were elected
under corrupt auspices. There Is
unrest in the country; our people
have passed through a trying eXper-
fence. The European war before IL
engulfed US. aroused every racia'
thrOb in a nation OF composite citi-
Zenship. The conflict in which we
participated carried anXieties into
every community and thousands
upon thousands OF homes were
touched by tragedy. The inconven-
fences incident TO the war have been
disquietiuE; the failure of the repub-
iican congress to repeal annoying
taxes has added to our troubles. The