Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-25

fault was this? II was the fault OF
the United States Senate. we must
look at things as they are.
ut sounds we'll to say, as Mr.
Davis does-If ] become President
of the United States. America will
sit as an equal among equals. when
ever she sits at ALL This has been
tr,,e. of course. at all times. but the
inference seems to be that had Mr..
Davis been President of the United
States. and his nominee Secretary OF
state. there would not have been
any American participation in the
EXPERT Committee-that If the mat
ter had come up at all, 1t would
have been thrown into an eternal
and futile debate in the United
states Senate, where American
participation would have persisted
because the Senate would not have
allowed the word Official to attach
to 1t. Success, and success. alone
has prevented the work of the Ex-
pert Committee from being dragged
in the mire OF political demagoguery.
The President and the Secretary of
State fearlessly faced facts as they
were and the situation as 1t was.
The Americans invited by the
narration Commission to serve on
the Expert Committee were named
by President Coolidge and Secretary
Hughes. In thus naming them, they
placed behind these men, in the eyes
of humanity~>the Stars and Stripes,
and took the only step which could
have been taken to save the United
States the unspeakable disgrace OF
not having assisted the Allies and
Germany and the world toward the
happiness and prosperity which
comes from the final settlement Of q
Christian peace.
Again, he is an honest and con-
scientious. believer in the League OF
Nations and its competency to be an
agency for peace. But is he practic-
ally constructive? The platform OF
the Democratic Party, on which he
stands, invites the nation back into
the fog bank of debate on the
League. and into q referendum for
which there is neither law nor pro-
cedure, to ascertain whether the peo-
pie have changed Their minds about
it, as this action would indicate that
the Democratic Party believes pos
sibIe. With him L would welcome
the day when this great question
would be entirely lifted above the
plane of partisan politics, when men
will cease to take counsel solely of
their passions, their pride and
their fears But this is only what
President Coolidge hopes, and what
our whole people hope.
What the situation demands Is
some consideration of the practical
question of how things are going to
be done, along with statements of
things everyone wants to do. Elo-
quence in stating generalities must
not detract our attention from the
PRACTICAL things. Progress depends
upon performance, not alone upon
hope.
las I said in my speech OF ac-
ceptance: The Democratic. Party
asks the American people to turn
back with it into the morass of the
debate on the League of Nations,
| through a public referendum. there
by paralyzing the hope of con-
structive action and policy in this
time of an existing world crisis.
The Republican platform on
| foreign relations outlines a policy
| which, carried out with the common
sense, clear vision. and courage of
Calvin Coolidge, offers the American
people a constructive course of
honor. safety, and progress, for its
own and the worlds good. 1t offers
| the only policy which. at the present
time, means the possibility of ac-
complishment.
what is the predominant issue IN
| this campaign? Now. 1 will tell yer
what it is. On one side stands
President Coolidge, representing, pre-
| sressive conservatism and the cor
| stitution of the United Slater
| Everybody knows where he stands
kn nfI 1,a CT
| stands Robert NJ. Lafollette, with
a platform drawn by himself. 81
| rhrased as to induce, if he can, those
who are disconnected with present
F., conditions. but patriotic at heart, tC
| join with the socialists, flying the red
| flag. In n mobilization of extreme
radicalism.
Eugene Debs says in telegram
| dated Aug. I, wired to the committee
| which had nominated Lafollettc
We will now make no nomination f"l
! president of the United States bot
adhere to the principles of socialism
and keep the red flag flying
"There is the issue and there are
the flags. Lying between those two
forces of progressive conservatism
| and radicalism. which are aligned
Apon an issue which is in the MINDS
| and hearts of the American people
which candidates have not made-an
issue springing from the conscience
Of the American people-lying be-
| tween them. in no mans land. Is the
Democratic party. with one conserv-
| alive and one radical candidate, try
ing to recruit from the battle lines
They will simply suffer the fate
which always befalls those who try
TO straddle in a real fight. For this
is a real fight. We have abnormal
conditions in this county. We have
lax law enforcement. People are be-
| ginning to look at the ground under
| their feet. Do we stand on the rock
of the constitution of the United
| States? That is what the main is
sue is in this campaign.
LET me say here to the politicians
Of Maine, Lift your eyes above petty
politics and above petty offices to the
| flag of your country Upon this
| proposition 1 undertake to say that
| the Pine Tree State stands by the
constitution. It's motto is Diriso, -
| I lead Follow it.
| Il thank you very much.