New-York tribune., 1920-06-29
of Chairman Cummings Keynote Speech Democratic Convention

sible for the destruction of the in<
strument itself. 1t would be idle to
inquire by what political legerdemain
this meaningless and yet ominous
declaration was prepared. 1t is enovsh
to know that the "old guard" sold the
honor of America for the privilege Of
nominating q reactionary for Presi-
dent.
"The war had set great task for
statesmanship.- The best thought of
the world demanded that serious at
tempt be made by the leaders of the
Allied governments to formulate
treaty of peace which should prevent
the recurrence of war. Every right
full impulse of the human heart was in
accord with that purpose. From time
immemorial men have dreamed of peace;
poets have sung Of it; philosophers
have written about it; statesmen have
discussed it; men everywhere have
hoped and prayed that the day might
come when wars would no longer be
necessary in the settlement of inter-
national differences.
Calls League Project Feasible
"For the first time in the turbulent
annals of the human race such pro-
ject had become feasible. The destruc-
tion of militarism, the crumbling of
thrones, the dissolution of dynasties,
the world wide appreciation of the in
ner meaning of war and the final tri-
umph of democracy had at last made it
possible to realize the dearest dream
| that ever crossed the night of mans
dark mind. The opportunity for serv-
| ice was as great as the need of the
world, and the failure to render it must
stand as a reproach for all time.
at is said that if the dead who died
| in the great war were placed head to
feet they would stretch from New York
to San Francisco and from San Fran
cisco back again to New York; and if
those who perished from starvation
and from other causes collateral to the
war were placed head to efeet they
would reach around the great globe
itself. At this very hour millions Of
men and women and little children are
the victims of our hesitancy. How can
the heart Of America be closed to these
things?
81 have been many miles in this
country, and it has been my fortune to
visit most of the states of the Union
1t has so happened that I have been in
many of these states when the boys
were coming from the front. | have
seen the great avenues Of our splendid
American cities lined with the popu-
lace, cheering and cheering again as
these brave lads marched by. happy
that they had come triumphantly
home. But l have never witnessed
these inspiring sights without thinking
of the boys who did not come home.
They do not rest as strangers in a
strange land-these soldiers of liberty.
The generous heart of France enfolds
them. The women and the children Of
France cover their graves with flowers
and water them with tears. Destiny
seized these lads and led them far from
home to die for an ideal. And yet
( they live and speak to US here in the
, homeland not of trivial things but Of
{ immortal things. Reverence and pity
and high resolve--surely these remain
to u.s. In that heart of hearts where
the great works of man are wrought
, there can be no forgetting. Oh, God
t release the imprisoned soul Of America
= touch once more the hidden springs
of the spirit and reveal US to our
t selves!
: Stands for Peace Ideals
: LET the true purpose Of our party
4 be clearly understood. We stanc
squarely for the same ideals of peace
: as those for which the war was fought
}. We support without hinching the onl.
: feasible plan for peace and justice
We will not submit to the repudiatio!
of the peace treaty or to any process
, by which it is whitfield down to TIL
vanishing point We decline to com
. promise our principles or pawn ou
q immortal souls for selfish purposes
! We do not turn our backs upon tn
: history of the last three years. W
A seek no avenue of retreat We insis
- - that the forward course is the onl
g righteous course.
: 1--WE seek to reestablish the fruits c
: victory, to reinstate the good faith o
= our country and to restore it to it
e rightful place among the nations o
- the earth. Our cause constitutes
y summons to duty. The heart G
America stirs again. The ancient fait
rcvives. The immortal part OF ma
speaks for US. The services of tn
: past, the sacrifices of the war. tn
: hopes of the future, constitute
r spiritual force gathering about ou
n banners. We shall release again tn
checked forces of civilization, an
y America shall take up once more tn
1t leadership of the world"