Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-10-21

w THATEVER it's political consequence,
NJ there is a vast deal of moral sig
nifcance in the joint statement is
sued by more than one hundred distn-
guished Americans who usually have sup
ported the Republican or Progressive can
didates for the Presidency, declaring that
IN this years election they will vote for Cox
and Roosevelt. Their reasons are straight
forward and unbeatable. The group behind
Mr.. Harding, they point out, "has permitted
The Republican party to become little
American party" and is counseling course
that points toward national isolation -
They do not urge the acceptance OF the Ver-
sailles treaty precisely as it was brought
from Europe and do not insist upon ANY
particular wording of reservations" Their
great regret is that "a cause which should
have served to unite all parties in the same
spirit of common service which won the
war, should be made a basis of party diff
ference in the present campaign" They are
resolved accordingly to support the Demo-
cratic Presidential ticket as the sole means
OF giving practical expression to their con-
vctions on the supreme issues of national
interest and national honor.
These one hundred, including a number
former Republican or Progressive party
,anagers and offce-holders as we'll as emf
mt educators, ministers and journalists.
"e representative, doubt, of thousands,
nd perhaps of tens of thousands. How
ver that may be, however marked or un-
oticeable the effect on the immediate po-
'tical outcome, it is highly heartening to
'ae this trend among the nations thinkers.
or ultimately it will be the thinkers who
ill decide this and every other momentous
ueston. In a particular hour year the
ste of Cleon may count as much as the
0te of Socrates, or a great deal more. But
4 the larger reckonings of history, preju
lire and OaSSi0n and ont
weighed by truth. So, at least, it will be if
civilization continues to unfold and the
world becomes a better place to live in,
rather than a british jungle.
A host of thoughtful Republicans and In
dependents who realize the grave need of
international co-working in the cause of
peace could have followed Mr.. Harding, not
with much enthusiasm but with some meas
ure of hope, had he stood by his original
announcement for "clarifying reservations
to the League covenant. But after months
Of eQuivocal talk on the matter, he declares
1T last, IT do not wish to clarity these obi
cations, want to turn my back on them"
That amounts to unconditional surrender to
the Irreconcilables represented by Borah
and Johnson. 1t amounts to reputation of
the highest principles, for which Americas
dearest blood was poured out at Chateau
Thferry. at ST. Mihiel and in the Argonne as
a sacred sacrifice. 1t will mean, if Mr.. Hard
ing and his supporters win, the shame of
separate peace with Germany It will mean
the moral isolation Of America and, insofar
as human provision can go, the certainty of
another vast war in no very distant future
Is 1T to be wondered, then, that thinking
Republicans and Independents turn to the
Democratic party at this critical juncture?
vote for Cox and Roosevelt means a vote
for the Treaty with safeguarding reserva-
lions. vote for Harding means COM
promise of national honor as we'll as the i'm
periling Of national interests.