Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-08
Saturday,, April 8, 1922.
DEMOCRATS IN CONVENTION

duty. Friday, holding their state con-
vention and going through with the
forms and ceremonies and are en-
tirely excusab1e IL there was some
lack Of zest and interest. And really
it was a privilege to meet and con-
graduate one another on having sur
vived the shock in 1920.
From the standpoint OF Democrats
it is but fair for a Republican to as
sumo that the keynote speech of the
convention was suitable to the occa-
sion, a good speech from that point
of view. That it will influence many
among those who do a little think
ing for themselves, who have fairly
good memories, Is incredible. Mere
ly declaring the program of the last
national Democratic organization the
greatest program Of progressive leg
islation didn't make it so, doesn't dis
spate the fact that such statement
is altogether incorrect, speaking
mildly. 1t didn't progress very far
in keeping us out of war not very far
in getting us back to peace. One isn't
going to forget about that even
though the Democrats do accuse the
Republicans of losing the peace; that
?. was thrown away by Woodrow Will
= son when he chung to his dream of a
super government and forgot about
the government of which he was in
charge.
All should agree with Chairman
Perkins to the extent of admitting
that the war was xwon by patriotic
Americans; it wasn't won by polit-
ical party, though the Democrats are
welcome to their share in it. But
when any attempt is made to arro-
gate to the Democratic administra-
ton full credit, either for the war or
what went Immediately before and
what followed after, 1t naturally fol-
lows that the party must be held re-
; sponsible for the incompetencies, the
maladministration, the wicked waste.
This, Of course isn't at all satisfactory
to them. They, after the manner of
all men, wish to have a leader on
whom they may place a halo, and
Woodrow Wilson is the only one
available. In this light the glowing
tribute paid to Wilson by the Maine
Democrats was appropriate. For the
moment many Of them may have
been lulled into forgetfulness of what
they were saying about him two
years ago, but others will remember.
Whenever Democratic orator toss
es back his name. throws back his
shoulders. expands his chest thrusts
one hand into the bosom Of his coat
and holds the other warningly aloft
1t has been a sure sign for several
past generations that he is about to
give impressive utterance to that
time worn slogan: THE Republican
party is the party of privilege" This
has gone on during and since the
days when large and dominant por-
ton Of the Democratic party enjoyed
the privilege Of owning slaves. The
Democrats OF the South, and their
party, are profiting today because of
the privilege they have to count the
population as a basis for representa-
ton. but when 1t comes to voting
deny the colored part Of that popu-
lation the right to vote. If the DEM
ocratic party of today were permitted
only representation proportionate to
the number OF those permitted to
vote its political influence in national
affairs would be very much less what
1t is. Privilege. indeed.
They say they would lay taxes in
accordance with respective powers of
consumption. "Would?" Why in the
world didn't they when they had full
possession of the whole governmental
outft? And why have they always
advocated tariff for revenue only,
when that means taxing the neces-
stiles TO avoid protecting Ameri-
can industry? They say an Am
merican tariff is what makes high
prices. What about war prices !?
They would have the foreigner pay
US In goods what he owes to US. Some
would prefer to see him pay out Of
the dividends he gets on American
investments, out Of the profits he OBJ
tains from some Of his foreign trade,
because they are convinced that II
he pays In goods those Of US who 9TH
erwiss would make those goods in
this country will be idle.
The Democrats say they are not
satisfied with the tax laws. They are
not expected to be satisfied. The
country by an astounding majority
decided at the last national election
that IL was neither satisfied with the
Democratic tax laws nor with its ex-
Aravagancies and we can't believe the
; people have forgotten that much Of
the tax we now pay goes for expendi-
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