Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-12-20
DON'T BE HASTY
IN PACT ACTION,
SAYS BEVERIDGE
Former Senator Asserts Two
Thirds Provision Is Safe
guard.
HOLDS ABUSE IN VAIN
snecie. 20 The Tines.

WARSAW. Ind, Dec. 2O-Warnins
against hasty action in the ratification of
treaties was sounded by Albert J. Bever--
idge. former United States Senator from
Indiana, in Il talk before the Kosciusko
County Bar Association here last night
on The Nature and Growth Of Our Ma
tiOnal Constitution"
Mr.. Beveridge outlined the treaty max
ing provisions in the Constitution that re-
quire that treaties be negotiated by the
President, that they be ratified by two
thirds of the Senate and that they az 4
be passed on BY the President. He said
this provision is unlike the treaty pro-
visions of any other government.
TwO-THIRDS VOTE
SAFETY MEASURE.
This two-thirds vote brings to our
minds with startling clearness the fact
that the trainers Of our Constitution in
tended there should be the most search
ing investigation Of every provision Of a
proposed treaty" Mr.. Beveridge said in
discussing the ratification provision. The
idea was to prevent any hasty action;
and, much deeper, that II any considera-
tiOn portion of the American people
even so small a number as those repre-
sented by only one more than one-third
Of the Senate-shOuld seriously object to
having the Nation bound by such in
ternational contract the proposed treaty
must be rejected"
Nothing could be more offensive 10 tho
spirit and purpose Of the treaty qrovi-
sion of our National Constitution than
efforts 10 jam through a treaty by any
precipitous methods whatever.
SENATE ACTION
GENERALLY RIGHT.
Moreover the passage of time has dem
onstrated that. in practically every case
since the foundation OF the RePublit5
amendments TO treaties made by the SEN
ate were wise and received the approval
Of the sober secoud-thOuEht' If the
people; and that there are few, if any, in
stances IN our whole history where the
rejection Of a treaty by the Senate was
not. after 4 lapse of years found to be
good thing for the Nation.
7 trust that 1 shall not be accused OF
partisanship when I say that nowhere
has President Harding shown his sound
craftsmanship and his understanding Of
the spirit and purpose Of the Constitu-
ton. more than in his determination not
to crowd the treaties. now being ne
gOtiated, to a hasty conclusion when sub
mitted 10 the Senate. All of us average
citizens ought 20 be governed by the same
sensible and worthy motives.
Let us not only tolerate but let us
insist upon q microscopic examination Of
every treaty and the most extended and
fearless debate upon and public discus
sion Of any proposed international con
tract. No bad results can possibly come
from deliberatiOn; whereas. As every
thoughtful person realizes. very bad con
sequences might result from inn AZURE
action. Let US proceed carefully like
level headed men and women instead Of
acting hastily like passionate mObs. Let
US not forget the common saying that
1T Is better 10 be safe than to be sorry
Is OPPOSED
To INTIMIDATION.
above all let Us not attempt TO in
timidate those with whom we do not
agree; let US not use the cudgel Of abuse
upon those who feel that they are doing
their duty. Let Us not answer argument
with epithet. In short let Us demonstrate
that we possess those sound and noble
qualities which we like 10 ascribe to
American character.
personally. 1 greatly dislike the cheap
and easy methods Of abuse OF those who
honestly differ with me; and never
have INDUCED in them, even in the most
heated political conflicts. For example:
I was one of these who profoundly and
fervently disagreed with the policies Of
President Wilson; but it seemed to me,
not only unworthy, but weak. to heap
vituperation on the man himself. On the
contrary I gladly conceded and often as
serted the great intellectual power OF
that remarkable man and never ex-
pressed a doubt that, from his point Of