Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1920-07-23
LEAGUE OF NATIONS
THE PARAMOUNT ISSUE

The statements of President
Wilson and Governor Cox and
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Demo
cratic candid ates for President
and Vice President, following
their recent conference, show
conclusively that the treaty, to-
gether with the league of nations
will be the paramount issue in
the coming national campaign.
The gauntlet has been thrown
down and the Republicans will
meet the Democrats squarely on
the issue.
The treaty as presented by
the President and now sanctioned
by Governor Cox and his running
mate was rejected by the Senate
of the United States because of
the refusal of the President and
his followers to accept reserva-
tons offered by Senator Lodge,
that would Americanize the same.
The reservations were offered for
the purpose of perfecting it and
protecting this country in the
future.
Washington, Jefferson, and
Monroe, three of the greatest
figures in American history,
strongly advised against this
country in any manner entering
into entangling alliances with
foreign powers. If this was
good doctrine in their day, it is
more so when conditions
in Europe have become worse.
The Constitution of this coun-
try was framed by far-sighted
statesmen who were not actuated
by radical, popular clamor, nor
by politics, but aimed pure
ly, solely and simply to establish
a government that would endure
forever.
The wisdom displayed by our
forefatherS has stood the test of
years-in framing the Constitu-
ton which has been amended
but little since its adoption. The
country has gone on ard pros
pered under this Constitution,
by following the sage advice of
its early founders. Their admo-
milton and advice have proved
sound, practical and wise, and
we have become the greatest ma
ton on earth. We, therefore,
believe it is the better part of
wisdom to continue to follow on
in the way we have been going
the path our forefathers trod-
and the way in which we have
prospered.
AS we understand it the treaty
as presented by President Viii
son would if adopted with the
League of nations, put this coun-
try in the position to become EN-
broiled in every quarrel between
European powers. We do not
want this. The American peo-
pie favor only such a league as
would prevent future wars, but
not one that would morally, if
not actually entangle us in petty
foreign quarrels. Let us have a
league of nations. but one with
the reservations proposed by the
Massachusetts, Senator, which
will protect and safeguard this
nation.
The treaty and league Of ma
tions is not a political issue
alone, but from our viewpoint an
American issue-one in which
the people of this country must
decide between American and
foreign powers. A league with
reservations is American; with
out reservations, non-American,
and Theoretically speaking. ties
us hand and foot with foreign
powers, with the whip hand with
tire ldtbSls
With the above the true sit
uation staring them in the face,
we are firmly convinced that the
voters of this country, regard
less of party utilization, who have
the red blood of our forefathers
flowing in their veins favor only
a league of nations with such res
ervations as will fully American
ize it.
This great issue has now be-
come one between President
Wilson and the American people.
Shall the stubbornness of Wilson
Or the safe and sane ideas of the
American people as voiced by
the United States, prevail? The
issue is drawn.
Better far to cling to the
sturdy rock than drift into the
evils we know not of. Z"