The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-08-15
Editorial
of the Day
A FIGHTING CANDIDATE
New York Times

Governor Cox, in his speech Of ac'
ceptance, discloses himself to his
fellow-countrymen as a first class
fighting man. He does not wait TO be
assaulted He himself attacks in force
He carries the war into the enemy's
country. With u lamentable disre-
gard for senatorial courtesy" Gov
ernor Cox sharply smites Mr.. Hard
ing's shield with q vigorous spear.
The Democratic candidate puts his
rival and the opposing party immedi'
ately on the defensive by his prompt
aggressive. He leaves no one to mis-
taxi his purpose. Governor Cox Is q
good writer in the sense that he first
makes up his mind what he wants TO
say and then says il in plain and fore
ible English. After Senator Harding's
cloudy ~eloquence and elusive phras-
ing, it is refreshing TO get a speech
OF acceptance that is straightforward
explicit, bold and clear.
The speech al once topples over
the whole series of fantastic imagin'
ings with which the Republicans nave
been comforting their hearts. Gov
ernor Cox was going to have difficulty
in reconciling his position with thai
of the president. He was going to
minimize the issue of the league OF
nations; would be found pussyioot'
ing on the Democratic PLATFORM ana
would have to dodge and straddie IN
order to hold together the DIVERSE
elements of his support. But the plalh
tale of the speech of acceptance m
mediately puts all this down. Cover
nor Cox commits himself in the luIl'
est way 10 the league. In ahgua
which no one can mistake ne declares
"The first duty OF the new admiiniS'
tration clearly will be the ratillca'
ton of the treaty" Referring 10 lhe
| league of nations, he says: senator
Harding. as the Republican canoiuate'
proposes in plain words, that we
remain out of it. AS the Democratic
candidate, ! favor going in That
is flatfooted enough. II the Repuo'
leans wanted the issue squarely JoNneo
they have got II. And they nave a. -
got. it is evident, a mar VINO WI"
keep them busy defending themselves
and explaining and apologlzihs unti'
November. Governor Cox mas py MS
courageous and direct speech taken
the Initiative in the campaign ahc
plainly intends TO keep IT,
If Americans were merely standing
by as spectators at the contest. they
could not fail to admire the dash
and vigor with which Governor Cox
goes after Senator Harding. The lat
ter had vaguely outlined his plans for
peace with Germany and concord with
other nations. But Cox demands speci-
fications. Peace by joint resolution OF
congress? Do the Republicans really
mean to make a separate peace WIN
Germany? This would be the most
disheartening event in civilization since
the Russians made their separate
peace with Germany and infinitely
more unworthy on our part BESIDES
II cannot be that Senator hardlhs
does not intend TO guard American
rights in negotiating with Germany
He will have to lay down conditions
in his separate treaty. But uppose
Germany refuses to agree with them'
Would Harding send an army across
the sea 10 enforce our terms! "oul'
no no so lost 10 shame as TO Deg
the allies 10 help US get what We
are entitled 10? These are questions
which the Republican candidate can
NOT decline to answer. And II ne
answers that Germany Is certain ~
accede 10 whatever we delnahu' theh
ne would nave TO reply TO the rurthef
question by Governor COX "he'hef
- AnfGs
the Republican scheme is 10 enter
into a German-American alliance Tor
Inc EXPRESS purpose OF breaking OH
Tho United States from war time as
ISOLATION and cooperation with France
and England. If this is the intent
q would be as Governor Cox truth
sullv affirms. not only 'bungling III
nIomacy." but plain, unadulterated
dishonesty"
Equally pointed and precise Is inc
language used by the governor IN
shuwins the folly or insincerity o.
the Harding suggestion that, aiter
throwing over the league, he coulS
arrange some kind Of moonshihe Gh
de%rstanding'' with other nations ny
them. declares Governor cox, TINS
new project" would surely be re-
garded either as "arrant madness or
ATTEMPTED international bosslsm'
The league is now an Accomplished
fact. The sole question is whether
we shall join the 90 governments that
have accepted it, or cast our lot IN
the outer darkness along with Ger
many. Russia. Turkey and Mexico
The Republican proposal means dis
honor. world confusion and delay
There is no mincing of words ABOUT
that. The Democratic candidate re-
deems his promise Of straight think
ing and straight talking"