Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1920-08-09
CUMMINGS STRIKES
FROM SHOULDER
Again In Notifying Roosevelt of
His Nomination For Vice
Presidency Today
Cby associated Press)

Hyde Park, n. V, Aug. 9-The Amer
lean people have paid a "staggerinG
penalty" for the Republican victory at
the polls in 1918. Homer S. Cummin ss
declared today i'm formally notifying
Franklin ID. Roosevelt of his nomina-
tion as the Democratic party's candi-
date for the vice presidency.
Undisputed in the material and NOR
al leadership of the world" when the
armistice was signed. he said. "who
will deny that our title to that leader
ship has been erievously impaired if
not completely lost?''
What has happened to account for
this lowering of morale and the for
feiture OF the place of honor which had
been won by American arms and
American tatesmanship?" said Mr.
Cummings
''The answer is not far to seek. Prac-
tically coincident with the pubIica tion
of the armistice came the news that
the Republican party had been success
ful in the Congressional elections OF
1913. From that moment American
progress stopped, craftsmanship took
possession of public affairs and Repub-
hcan leaders became more interested in
political success than national honor.
The results were immediate and disas-
trous.
Every enemy Of society. of peace or
of civilization took quick advantage of
the fatal period Of hesitancy. Amer
lean commerce which ought to have
been seeking every port in the world.
was unable to develop adequate trade
channels or find settled basis for dCvcI-
opment. All the processes of national
life We're impaired and there was q
gradual accumulation of domestic prob
fIl "a 4
which cannot be satisfactorily dealt
with until our relationship with the
rest Of the world has been determined.
There has not been an hour since
the November election of 1918 during
which the American people have not
paid a stagScring penalty for the Re-
publican triumph of that year. There
is but one way out There is but one
clear path of duty 1t is to redeem
Americas word to the world and to as
sumo without hesitation our share of
the task of rehabilitating the broken
structure of civilization.
"'rhe Democratic party is unconqucr-
able in it's hold upon the truth that
America belongs to tho world and can
not serve herself while breaking faith
with others. Such is our cause and
our purpose. That you will hold high
the standard we place. in your hands
we do not for a moment doubt"
Speaking Of the Republican convcn-
tion at Chicago. Mr.. Cummings said
"timidity and cunning" were the essen
tiaI characteristics Of the platform
adopted there.
''It seems to have been the product
of mon who have lived for many years
in the blind stupor of moral neGation."
said. adding that the Republican candi- |
date ultimately chosen was not in fact
the choice of any considerable number
of the delegates and that the nominal
tion could not evoke any popular re-
sponse. and indeed, it failed to create
any enthusiasm in the registering con
vention itself"
At San Francisco. he said, "thc candi-
dates emerged from the deliberations
of that body Ohe Democratic conven-
tion), as the free choice of united par /
~. bearing no taint upon their title to
leadership, honor and respect"
"'The Republican party since 1912"
Mr. Cummings said has been the par
ty of destructive criticism. 1t has made
n speciality of fault finding. In peace,
in. war aud in our relations with other
countries, the settled purpose Of Re-
publican leadership has been to make
trouble. irrespective of the merits of
any problem involved. 1t has persist
entity. sought TO increase irritation and
discomfort rather than to allay them.
From every element of discord, and
even of sedition, il has sought to draw
some resultant of partisan advantage.
It's purpose has been and still is re-
pudiation and retreat"