Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-08-07
By The Associated Press.

America and the world by this ma
tion's entrance into the League OF
Nations with Interpretations not
disturbing it's vital principle was
pronounced today by Gov. James NJ.
Cox, the Democratic presidential
standard bearer. as his paramount
policy.
In his address here accepting the
Democratic nomination. Gov. Cox
militantly championed the league as
proposed by President Wilson, with
interpretations insuring good faith
and understanding. and denounced
what he termed the dishonorable
proposal from Senator Harding, his
Republican opponent. for "a separ-
ate peace with Germany"
League or no league, the Demo-
cratic nominee declared. is the issue
between the two parties-"the su-
preme issue of the century," he said.
The question is" Gov. Cox de-
clared." whether we shall or shall
not join in this practical and hu-
name movement. President Wilson
entered the league in our name.
Senator Harding. as the Republican
candidate for the presidency pro-
poses in plain words that we remain
out of It, As the Democratic can
didate ! favor going in.
The first duty of the new admin
istration will be ratification of the
treaty" Gov. Cox said, predicting
that friends of the league would rail-
ly to elect a senate with the requi-
site majority for ratification.
Gov. Cox said the .fnterpreta-
tions' should state "our interpreta-
ton OF the covenant as a matter Of
good faith to our associates and as
a precaution against any misunder-
standing in the future" Assailing
the Lodge reservations as emascu-
lating. Gov. Cox suggested two
specific interpretations" as out
lined several months ago in a news
paper article. One declared Amer
iSa's continuance in the league
should depend upon the leagues use
only as an agency for world peace
the other stated the understanding
that this nation could act only with
in the constitution. declared unal-
terable by any treaty.
The door to other ''interpreta-
tions'' was left open by Gov. Cox.
but he said that the democratic
platform plank speaks in a firm
resolution against anything that dis
turbs the vital principle" of the
league
No room for doubt was left as to
the governors position on the lea
que as the preeminent political
battle-ground AS on other sub
jects. he stated his position square
ly.
I'VE are in time which calls for
straight thinking. straight talking
and straight acting" he said. 1T Is
no time for wobbling."
In position. the league question
led the candidates address and to it
he devoted three thousand words Of
the 10.000-odd total.
The prohibition amendment and
volstead Law were not specified in
the address. but Gov. Cox promised
emphatically strict law enforce
ment.
THE constitution" he said. ''is
the license and limitation given to
and placed upon the lawmaking
body. The legislative branch Of
government is subjected to the rule
Of majority. The public Official who
fails to enforce the law is an enemy
both to the constitution and TO the
American principle of majority rule.
1t would seem unnecessary for any
candidate for the presidency to say
that he does not intend to violate his
oath of office. Anyone who is false
to that oath is more unworthy than
the law violator himself.
Morals cannot easily be pro-
nounced by statute" Gov. Cox con-
tinued in passing TO a plea against
abuse Of the writ of injunction.
Regarding woman suffrage. Gov.
Cox urged ratification OF the pro-
posed Constitutional amendment.
declaring women "are entitled to
the privilege of voting as a matter
of right. and because they viii be
helpful in maintaining wholesome
and patriotic policy"
His opposition-candidate. plat
form. leaders and congressional
record-were fiayed by Gov. Cox in
scathing terms throughout his long
address. A sensational oligarchy"
led by Senators Lodge, Penrose and
Smoot, Gov. Cox charged. selected
Sen. Harding to lead the Republ-
cans and fastened into the party
platform the creed of bitterness and
hate and the vacillating policy that
possesses it," The Republican
stand, generally, was scored by the
governor as reactionary and. on the
league question. he said the party's
candidate was bent to the irrecon-
cilabIe hostility of Sen. johnson. of
California The Republican con-
gress. the governor asserted, failed
to pass a constructive law or to re-
duce war taxes
Millions in campaign funds have
been gathered for ''the reactionary
cause" the governor charged. de-
ploring election of a new admins
tration under corrupt auspices
and demanding publicity for the
plain truth" regarding all eentribu-
tions and disbursements The DEM
ocrats, he added. would not attempt
ito compete by dollars" He warn
ed the country against cunning de-
vices backed by unlimited prodigal
expenditures-to confuse and lure"
Gov. Cox said he took up the
Democratic standard "a free man.
unfettered by promises"
I'VE want a change" he said
from the old world of yesterday
where International intrigue made
people mere pawns on the chess
beard of war. We want a change
from the old industrial world where
the man who toiled was assured a
full dinner pail as his only lot and
portion. We stand at the forks OF
the road. One leads 10 higher citi-
zenship. q freer expression of the in
dividual and a fuller life for all.
The other leads TO reaction. the
rule OF the few over the many end