The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-23
SENATOR HARDING,s SPEECH.


When shorn of all generalities and
fine language Senator Harding's speech
accepting the Republican Nomination
for the presidency is a clean cut decla-
ration of principles. In it there is
found no lodging or attempt at eva
sion. The plain citizen will have no
difficulty in understanding the candi-
dates position on all matters regard
ed as issues in this years campaign.
The senator makes direct challenge
to the Democrats on the question of
the ratification of the peace treaty
He is opposed to the Versailles docu-
ment either with or without reserva-
tiens.
Taking up the labor problem the
thought seemingly uppermost in his
mind is voiced in the declaration that
conscience has wrought more justice
than statutes have compelled. but the
ferment of the world Fivets our
thoughts on the necessity of progress
siVe solution"
Farther along the senator said:
The menacing tendency of the pres
ent day is not chargeable wholly to the
caused by the war. The manifest
weakness in popular government lies
in the temptation to appeal to grouped
citizenship for political advantage.
There is no greater peril. The consti-
tuition contemplateS no class and rec
ognizes no group. It broadly includes
all the people, with specific recogni-
ition for none. We do not
oppose but approve collective bargain
ing. because that is an outstanding
Tfa,-s HI mt
that it's exercise must not destroy the
equally sacred right of the individual,
in his necessary pursuit of livelihood.
Any American has the right to quit
his employment, so has every Ameri-
can the right to seek employment. The
group must not endanger the individ-
ua1 and we must discourage groups
preying upon one another, and none
shall be allowed to forget that govern
ment's obligations are alike to all the
people.
Evidently with radical agitation in
mind Senator Harding said:
He who threatens destruction of the
government by force or flaunts his
contempt for lawful authority, ceases
to be a loyal citizen and forfeits his
rights to the freedom of the republic.
On the subject Of prohibition Sena-
tor Harding delivered himself as fol-
lows:
I believe in law enforcement. If
elected I mean to be-a constitutional
president, and it is impossible to ig-
more the constitution, unthinkable to
eVade the law, when our every COM
initial s-te orderly government. Peo-
pie ever will differ about the wisdom
of the enactment of a law-there is di-
vided opinion respecting the eigh-
teenth amendment and the laws enact
ed to make it operative-but there
can be no difference of opinion about
honest law enforcement.
Neither government nor party can
afford to cheat the American. people
The laws of congress must harmonfze
with the constitution, else they soon
are adjudged to be void; congress en-
acts the laws, and the executive
branch of government is charged with
| enforcement. We can not nulHfy be-
| cause of divided opinion, we can not
! Jeopardize orderly government with
contempt for law enforcement. Mod
| ification or repeal is the right of a
| free people, whenever the deliberate
and intelligent public sentiment COM
mands, but perversion and evasion
mark the paths to the failure of gov
eminent itself.
If Republicans were looking for a
leader they have found one. The party
nominee has given his followers rally
ing cries in abundance. The campaign
orator of any party will not find it
necessary to go beyond the speech of
acceptance for something to talk
about.