The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1920-06-13
THE PLATFORM.

More nnd more az party lines lose their
binding force upon the fcolty of the individual
voter the matter of formulating party plat
form becomes a delicate and critical process
The days when party pronouncement was
put out with fnali,y and so accepted by tho
rank and fiio OF that party have long ago
faded away There will be within the party such
variations OF conviction and each commanding
formidable strength. that 1t Is not strange IL
practical politicians seek to straddie many
questions In the fear OF losing disaffcctcd vote
Many platforms In the past have been the
most fragrant compromises, pronouncements
which either meant nothing or which might
mean whatever suited opposite sides OF opn-
ions
The present gathering at Chicago was up
against a condition never before experienced In
a national party convention. IL we except the
two occasions In recent years when an absolute
split has resulted because a large minority
has refused to endorse the findings Of a small
majority. Those were In 1873 when the Greeley
campaign threatened to wreck the prospects
of the republican party, and again In 1919,
when Roosevelt wns run n protest against
tho domination OF the "old guard" Many pro-
fessed TO like split as IA probability this
year, but happily that danger is now past. and
n platform is made upon which the oontendins
factions stand with dignity and no sacrifice
of conviction, yet Il cannot be called
"straddle."
In fact the platform formulated Mt Chicago
is In many respects as radical as the most radi-
cal republican could wish, and in others as sane
and discreet any of the old line politicians
could devise, on the main points at issues and
those upon which republicans were divided, tho
platform makers have arrived at positive and
sane declaration OF principles that Ii worthy OF
enthusiastic support. II Is true Americanism
crystalized into plain words that admit OF no
uncertainty or double meaning, and the intent
OF which is unmistakable to any reasonable man.
We have reason as republicans to be proud Of
the platform, for II requires no apologies and
no translation OF obscure or ambiguous phrases,
The chief dissension In the convention arose
from varying views on the league OF nations,
from the faction which denounced league In
it's entirety, 10 those who favored the plan with
mild reservations. Neither extreme is adopted,
but all alike are pledged 20 kin the Wilson
league but TO leave the way open for an un-
derstandng between nations for the prevention
OF future wars, such understanding to be framed
lines that leave the sovereignty OF the Amer
lean people unimpaired and the national honor
unsullied. The extreme enemies of the league
cannot object. for the platform justifies their
position. The friends OF "A league of nations.
but not In the Wilson form. cannot be otherwise
than gratified with the party position in favor
of International understanding. Come to think
OF it, this view OF the case was what most OF
us entertained all the time. and both extremes
were but the outgrowth Of personal loyalty to a
candidate.
On the Mexican matter tho platform is high
ly commendable. There is no "jngo" rims to It,
but the announcement of determination to re-
quire OF the Mexican government satisfactory
guarantees for the lives and property OF our
citizens In Mexico which is In line with the best
thought OF loyal American voters. We have nc
. quarrel with the Mexicans, In fact we wish
them all the prosperity, happiness and liberty
possible, but they must either get themselves q
government that can govern else submit &C
assistance to that end from the big brother or
the north. A new policy In direct variance with
the plan followed by Wilson's administration
is to be put into effect. not to bully browbsat
but to enable tho Mexican people to attain NJ
ADEQUATE government and spew out OF its Dor