The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1920-08-07
COX FOLLOWS WILSON'S STAND
ON LEAGUE COVENANT AS HE
FORMALLY ACCEPTS NOMINATION
Democratic Nominees Position
Forecasts League as Is
sue in Campaign
SILENT ON PROHIBITION
Says He Is for Strict Law En-
forcement Without Mention
ing Volstead Law

Dayton, O., Aug. Peace for
America and the world by this ma
tion's entrance into the League Of Ma
tons with interpretations" not dis
turbing it's vital principle was pro-
nounced today by Gov. James M. Cox,
the democratic presidential stand
ard bearer, as his paramount policy:
In his address here accepting the
democratic nomination, Gov. Cox mill
tantly championed the League as pro-
posed by President Wilson, with in
terpretations insuring good faith and
understanding, and denounced what.
he termed the dishonorable proposal
from Senator Harding, his republican
opponent, for "a separate 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 country" he said.
"The question is," Gov. Cox declar-
ed" whether we shall or shall not
Join in this practical and humane
movement. President Wilson
entered the League in our name. Sen
ator Harding, as the republican can
didate for the presidency proposes in
plain words that we remain out OF
it. AS the democratic candidate i
favor going in.
Must Ratify Treaty.
"The first duty Of the new admin
istration will be ratification Of the
treaty" Gov. Cox said, predicting
that friends of the league would rally
to elect a senate with the requisite
majority for ratification.
Gov. Cox said the interpretations"
should state "our Interpretation of the
covenant as a matter of good faith to
our associates and as precaution
against any misunderstanding in the
future" Assailing the Lodge reser-
vatons as emasculating, Gov. Cox sug-.
gested two specific interpretations"
as outlined several months ago in
newspaper article. One declared
Americas 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 within
the Constitution, declared unalterable
by any treaty. I'll
The door to other Interpretations"
was left open by Gov. Cox, but he said
that the democratic platform plank
"speaks in firm resolution against
anything that disturbs the vital prin-
ciple" Of the League.
No room for doubt was left as to
the Governors position on the League
as the pre-eminent political battle
ground. AS on other subjects, he
stated his position squarely.
Need Straight Thinking.
eve 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,O00-odd total.
The prohibition amendment and
VOlstead Law were not specified in
the address, but Gov. Cox promised
emphatically strict law enforcement.
"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 the majority.
The public official who fails to en-
force 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 produced
by statute" Gov. Cox continued 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, de-
claring women "are entitled to the
privilege of voting as a matter of
right, and because they will be help
full in maintaining wholesome and pa
triotic policy"
Flags Opposition
His opposition candidate, plat
form, leaders and congressional rec
ord-were flayed by Gov. Cox in
scathing terms throughout his long
address. A Senatorial oligarchy'
led by Senators Lodge, Penrose and
S1noot, Gov. Cox charged, selected
Senator Harding to lead the republi-
cans and fastened "into the party plat
form the creed of bitterness and hate
and the vacllating policy that pos
sesses it." The republican stand,
generally, was scored by the Govern
or as reactionary and, on the League
question, he said the party's candi-
date was bent to the irreconciliable
hostility of Sen. johnson of Califor-
mia. The republican congress, the
Governor asserted, failed to pass a
constructive law or reduce war taxes.
Millions in campaign funds have
been gathered for "the reactionary
cause" the Governor charged, deplor-
ing election of a new administration
"under corrupt auspices and demand
ing publicity for the plain truth re-
garding all contributions and dis
bursements. The democrats, he add
ed, would not attempt "to compete by
dollars" He warned the country
q acainst "c,1nning devices backed by