Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-03
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Maryland and Virginia.
All Other States.
The Democratic Platform.

The Democratic Platform.
In point of political strategy the
platform adopted yesterday by the
democratic party at San Francisco
must be commended as masterpiece.
1t hits hard on the points on which the
party must stand in consolidated force
sistency and it avoids attack on others
as to which there is factional dispute
within the ranks. 1t serves TO align the
majority power of the organization
and minimizes the chances of defec-
ton on the score of controversies.
The league of nations plank Endorses
to the full the Presidents course and
calls for national approval and sup
port, without alternating those elements
that stood for some modification of the
covenant. 1t is not precisely decla-
ration for the indicted 81" and the I'M
crossed It, but it serves the purpose
of Endorsement of the democratic exec
utive and the principle of inter
national unity while guaranteeing
safeguards against constitutional en-
cfoaehments.
The labor plank is moderate. posi-
bly, satisfactory to the unions in the
broad declaration that labor is not a
commodity and is entitled to fair
compensation and just treatment, but
it does not go to the limit of approving
strikes On the score of the railroads
it may prove disappointment to this
element, inasmuch as it definitely looks
to the complete restoration of private
ownership and operation. without any
form of government subsidy or aid.
This is far removed from public own
ership and an explicit avoidance Of
any leaning toward the Plumb plan.
On the liquor question the platform
is silent. This complete evasion of the
issues which were presented in the con-
yention and fought out with bitter in
tensity is similar to the course of the
republicans at Chicago. 1t virtually
leaves the matter open to tine states.
In sense this is logical. Prohibition
/ is now the law of the land. Why
should either party assert its purpose
I'd, sustain that law, any more than the
law against murder! On the other
hand, why offend an undeniably large
and powerful element of the electorate
| by leaning toward modification of the
enforcement act! Save for the fact
| that the maneuvers of both sets of ex-
ftremists forced the convention to go
| ON record by votes against the two op-
posing planks, with heavier vote cast
for the "damp" plank than that given
the "bone dry" proposal, the democratic
party stands pat, along with the repub-
icans, on the basis of the existing state
of the law. This removes the wet or dry
factor from the national campaign. If
it appears at all it will be with refer
ence to individual candidates. for Con-
aress.
Ireland gets a pleasant word and
nothing more. There is no indorse-
ment of the republic and no pledge of
action in the way ofintercession. This
plank is but repetition of previous
democratic expressions of sympathy
with the nationa listic aspirations of
THE people of Ireland. 1t is perfectly
safe avowal, without the risk of com
plication and without danger of diplo-
matte ENHANCEMENT.
The major part of the platform is
devoted to an eloquent Endorsement OF
the achievements of the administration
and an attack upon the sins of omis-
sion and commission attributed to the
Republican party. There is plenty of
|ammunition for the party campaigners
in these passages. The aggressive tone
of the party appeal for the peoples
support will doubtless greatly hearten
those. democratic workers who may
perhaps have lately been somewhat de-
tpairing of success in November
The platform is broad enough for
any man now under consideration to
stand upon in this campaign. 1t re-
quired day longer in the framing
than the republican declaration, but
the results justify the expenditure Of
time,