Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-29
Thc Dcmocrntlc "Kcrnntcr

CONSTRUCTION opposed to destruc-
~ lion, record of achievement against a
long list of promises unfuiGlled, popular
government in place OF rcactionary class
rule. faith kept with the world instead of n
nations broken word, American leadership
rather than selfish provinciaism--it is in
brief. series of contrasts that Homer S.
Cummings. chairman OF the National Demo-
cratic Committee, presents to the citizens OF
the United States in his Keynote" address
at the San Francisco convention. Demo-
cratic accomplishment is set eff against Re-
publican ISLANDERS. demagogucry and treach-
erous reaction 1t is the direct antithesis
or the Lodge address at Chicago-one a
statement OF principles by party that
builds; the other OF party that tears down
that it may climb into power atop the
wreckage of a peoples hopes and plans.
The Democratic party needs to make no
promises. and Chairman Cummings makes
none. 1T is sufficient that he review the
record, record OF more constructive legis-
lation in seven years-not class legislation
but laws that benefit and make happier the
nation as whole. laws that help and pro-
tect its la borers. its farmers. it's business
men, its capitalists It's women. its chill
dren-than the Republican party has en-
acted in all the years of its power since tho
Civil War. That record of seven years in
cludes the wagng of the greatest war in
history, n war III which America with
Z.Vuos0ou fighting men i'll France, q pre-
paredness so complete that no other nation
ever has eQualed it. and management SO
homes, that all the Republican smelling
committees OF Congress have found not one
person TO accuse, tipped the swaying bal
ances to the side of victory Ii this recital
were not sufficient to quiet the antiquated
ISLANDERS of Democratic incompetence then
the Republican pages of broken legislative
pledges on which they won success at the
polls in 1918. faith OF the people and the
world destroyed. American prestige trailed
III the dust. American leadership lost and a
Congress sup:ne 10 Old Guard dictation--
pages which Mr.. Cummings supplies-would
furnish all the evidence necessary to con-
Wet the Republicans in their rarty platform
oil seeking return to office through po-
litical fraud and their country's shameless
betrayal.
This keynote" is remarkable for one
thing. in that, after contrasting the records
OF the parties, il contents itself with the
discussion of but one issue-the league of
nations. No other, either domestic or in
ternational. is mentioned. II is left 10 the
peonle themselves, through their delegates
to determine what their attitude on the
great domestic problems that perturb and
vex them shall be. But the league of ma
'ioHS' aS lHe ADMINISTRATION views IT, is
neXtrcably bound up with the nations
taith and honor that IL is made not only
paramount, but the sole issue 10 which the
chairman calls the party's attention. This
nc does with an argument so logical so
sane ana convincing that Republican par
iisanry which defeated it in the Senate and
denounced il at Chicago is strpped naked
before the world
II there be sense of disappointment that
'hc keynote touched upon none OF the
other vital questions OF the day, some OF
which command an interest equal to- il not
greater than, the league. there will be- IF
course. ample satisfaction in the platform
!or which is reserved the declaration OF
those principles which shall guide the party
II this campaign. In its rigid adherence TO
The one issue may be read the wish and
puiicY OF the President whose known deter
has been TO have the league
covenant submitted in great referendum
III d fashion SO concise and in language so
plain that the verdict in No
vember shall leave no doubt as to the pop
u!ar will.