The Connecticut labor press., 1920-09-18
Militant Non-Partisanship

The Social Democratic League of America calls upon all political and in dustrial democrats and militant pro- gressives generally to enter into the present campaign as active non-parti- sans. This policy may bring an un- compromising progressive maj ority in the National House of Representative j; 1t can scarcely fail tos secure balance of power i'll both Houses.
 The non-partisan or bipartisan plan of supporting reliable progressive can dldates III either party has been suc- cessfully tried out by the farmers of the Northwest and by organized labor in number of industrial districts. It is in accord with the American political system, which works against third par ties, and is adapted to American econ omic conditions, which initiate against the success of political organizations along narrow and exclusive class lines.
 The future of America, as of other countries, belongs to socai1 and indus trial democracy and the non-partisan method may lead to Farmer-Labor combination, appearing first as the Sec ond or Opposition party and later secur- ing control of the Government But the third parties at present before the
 
 the red hand of anarchistic communism and to give their moral support to the most cynicaly frank and brutal enemy democracy has ever known-can con- tribute nothing to present progress or to the ideal of industrial democracy. On the contrary, by their hostility to the bipartisan campaign method of the pro- gresS1ve farmers and organized labor these third parties are bound to become the favorite tools of reaction and the only available means by which 1t can hopes to thwart militant progressivism
 To accompany this non-partisan method there is militant progressive program of immediate and pressing issues which unite, all advanced and un- compromising democrats. There are four absolutely vital questions i'll this campaign The League of Nations, Mexico, Prohteering and Labor.
 The League of Nations
 The League of Nations is not a par tisan issue and the American people will never permit ii to become a partisan issue. Nor can 1t be allowed to become the sole issue of the campaign to the exclusion of national and domestic problems. But the wholly negative and nonzconstructlve position of certain political leaders threatens to make it the paramount issue.
 There IS a tendency to regard this whole controversy as one betWeerf IWeedle-dum and Tweed1e-dee. This IS true as to some of the minor ques- | tons involved; 1t Is not true as to the main issue. The main issue is: Shall America enter this League of Nations, ga fo 0fo as an excuse our willingness to join some non-existent League, such as Senator Harding's hypothetical Asso- | c1atlon of Nations, or ex-Senator Roots revival of the Hague Tribunal i? he minor issues are: Shall we enter | with Reservations" or interpretations, '' ! with or without the Lodge amendments 1 as approved by ex-President Taft, with l or without the e1eminaton of Article X. | as suggested by Herbert Hoover? These would not be minor issues, except for the overshadowing importance of laying l the basis of international peace, order | and organization now, at the critical l moment when 1t Is most needed, on the l foundation already begun and the only l foundation even discussed outside of | certain reactionary and alient national | 1st circles i'll this country is a ques- l tion whether America shall be first or | last in this great international effort. | whether we shall represent constructive international democracy or plutocratic, imperialist and nationalist reaction in | world affairs
 | Militant democrats offer no brief either for the Treaty or for the Coven- | ant in their present form. Our demand is for radical, thorough and continual 1 revision largely along the lines advo- cated by moderate Labor in Great Brit l ain and on the Continent British La | bor in Parliament refused to vote against the Treaty and League; half