Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-08-18
Evening Yesterday l56UZ
The Trend of Real Patriotism.

The Trend Of Real PATRIOTISM.
More than usual significance attends the
editorial announcement by the New YORK
Evening Post of the intention of that news
paper to advocate the election of James Nj.
Cox. Democratic candidate for President
of the United States. 1t is plain indica-
ton not only of the natural trend OF lnde-
pendent voters in the pending campaign,
but of the trend OF real patriotism through-
out the country.
The reasons given by this independent
newspaper for supporting Governor Cox
are plain and conclusive, as will be seen by
reading its editorial deliverance, which is
printed elsewhere in this issue, at the
head of our 'tPress Comment" column.
They hold the entrance of this country
into the League of Nations to be the para
mount issue of the campaign. The paper
asks: "Shall America keep faith with her
partners in the war? Shall America Join
with them in the only honorable and ef-
fective way of making peace with Ger
many? Shall America enter. heart and
soul, upon the work of maintaining the
peace of the world as she did upon the
task of winning the war;" And then 1t
says.
ITO these questions Governor Cox has
answered yes and Senator Harding has
answered no."
While independent newspapers are not
infallible as expounders Of sound doctrine
or representatives Of real public sentiment,
thew are, by reason of not being hampered
by partisan fealty, in position TO ascer-
tain public sentiment with reasonapie
accuracy and reveal it far more reliaoiy
than is possible by any newspaper that
represents only the cause of Its political
party. But the position taken by TINS IN
dependent newspaper, in connection with
the reasons it ascribes for its course, is
more than the voice Of representative OF
public opinion. 1t is stand taken iroIn
motives of patriotism and devotion TO the
sound principles of popular government.
There is no doubt that thousands oil
thoughtful citizens. unmoved by partisan
clamor and uninfluenced by any OF the
elements of selfish political interest, are
asking of themselves the questions pro-
pounded by this independent newspaper
in announcing its determination TO sup
port the Democratic candidate Tor Presl-
dent. They believe the protection OF the
world from destructive, deadly and de-
moralizing wars In the future depends
upon the League of Nations, and that the
League of Nations would be weakened
sadly by the absolute refusal OF our coun-
try to accept membership, and It's Ell
fectiveness in the cause of world peace
dangerously impaired. And they believe
that unless something is done TO insure
the peace of the world and the recogni-
ton of the rights Of ali free governments,
the World War will have been fought IN
vain and all its terrible sacrifices lett as
Affections without reconpense.
1t also is apparent that this is not the
view of bitter partisans who support |
those who strangled the League OF Ma |
tions in the United States Senate. 1t is
not the view of the friends Of Germany, |
or of those who indorse the infamous |
proposition that we shall desert those
with whom we fought so successfully In |
the great war and make a dishonorabie |
compact with the common enemy. 1t is
not the view Of those disloyal and de-
structive agencies which have no regard
for popular government and advocate the
reign Of anarchy and disorder. All such
are against the League of Nations and IN
favor Of separate peace with Germany
a peace that would dishonor the American
people.
But no truly patriotic American citizen
who loves his country more than he loves
his party can join with such unpatriotic
influences in opposition to the League Of
Nations. Support of the League is posi-
lively, convincingly representative OF the
trend Of patriotism throughout the land.