The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-29

vision that the vote should be taken "after full consideration" by the Presi. dent, Congress and the people at the polls.
 And then when all of that is oyer," he said, land my son is dead on q battle field from which I am trying to keep him, perhaps we shall join the league after full consideration"
 The convention applauded and Mr. Baker continued: :
 "I am not speaking to democrats. I am speaking to humanity. have sat over in that room in the hotel across the street, listening to talk about party expediency until am sick, and I'm speaking now about matters, not of politics but of life and death"
 There was another long outburst Of cheering when the former secretary de- clared the committee majority was at tempting to substitute the leadership of Henry Cabot Lodge for that of Woodrow Wilson" and he got another ovation when he declared the trouble with the Senators on the platform com mittee, who had taken the other side of the discussion, was that "they have been in the Senate so long they can't think"
 "When I mention the name of Sena- tor Lodge" he said, T am not speaking of an individual, but of a malevolent institution"
 The delegates liked it and cheered again.
 Who's going to present the cause for the League in this postcard referen. dump MT. Baker asked.
 Afraid to Touch It
 "The republican party is opposed to it, and the democratic party is afraid to touch it for fear they will taint 1t with a partisan stain. ~
 'But what would the republicans say about this plank. I can see the head lines of the republican newspapers to- morrow morning saying, if we adopt this plank, Democratic convention repudi- ates Woodrow Wilson, can see him looking over my shoulder now at this plank and you all can see upon his face that fine contempt that he would feel for that, kind of proposal. < "a:
 "This is not the kind of leadership that was taught us by Woodrow Will son. When the nominee of this com mittee, whoever he may be, is asked after the convention whether he is in favor of the league of nations, if he says no then the traditions of Wood row Wilson are gone; if he says yes then the reply will be well, your party was afraid. Thank God, they have nominated a man.
 But my plank, the plank of the mi- nority, is easily explained. It simply means that we should go into the league.
 T am e middle-aged man, am be- yond military age. But in the battle fields of France I have closed the eyes of American soldiers, with but two wishes in the part-that their mothers might know how they died and that someone might do something that would keep others in the future from their bloody fate.
 And I swore an obligation to the dead that in season and out, would lift up my voice until their sacrifices were perfected.
 T served Woodrow Wilson for five years. He is standing at the throne of a God whose approval he deserved and won. And as he looks down I reply. T am doing my best. You still are the companion of my soul.' And that great leader is saying through me carry on. Do Americas duty to her self and to mankind.'"
 When the speaker concluded, many of the women in his audience were dab ping their eyes with soaked handker- chiefs and tears coursed down the cheeks of some of the old.timers who had sat through many a fervent plat form fight without seeing such another appeal to the emotions. Many of the delegates rose and cheered. The stan dArds of several states were lifted up and carried up and down the center aisle, and for several minutes the hall was in an uproar of applause.
 Wise Speaks.
 Before the cheering had subsided, 1t was revived by the appearance on the platform of Rabbi Stephen s. Wise, to second the appeal of Secretary Bak. CT. He denounced the referendum as a "subterfuge" and declared that "the only referendum the party needs is a standing squarely on the league of nations"
 q have heard it said," he continued, "that we must decide the league ques- tion 90 as to save the face of this man or the fortunes of that man. But the only decision we need is the decision which will save the blighted honor of America.
 T am a Woodrow Wilson democrat. The republican party has ceased to be the party of Abraham Lincoln. pro