Evening star., 1924-08-12
Mr.. Davis Speech of Acceptance.

Mr.. Davis Speech of Acceptance.
In its breadth Of view, in it's vigor
OF expression, in its sincerity of spirit,
John w. Davis speech Of acceptance
delivered last night at Clarksburg
fully justifies the wisdom Of the Demo
cratic party in selecting him as its
standard bearer. 1t puts the campaign
OF that party upon the highest pos
sible plane, and presents the strongest
grounds for its claim for the support
of the American voters. 1t is, indeed
a stronger appeal for support than the
platform.
This is virtually Mr.. Davis saluta.
tory to the electorate. Though he has
been in public life for fully two
decades, and has spoken on numerous
occasions in Congress and elsewhere
on subjects Of political Importance, he
has not until now addressed the peo.
pie at large in a notable deliverance.
Only a few have read his earlier ut
terances. 1t was known that he DOS
sesses a scholarly mind, and that his
training has fitted him for clear,
vigorous and fluent expression. But it
has remained for the Clarksburg
speech to demonstrate this quality.
In making his bow of acceptance of
the great honor and trust bestowed
upon him by the Democratic party
Mr.. Davis presents himself at full
measure. Necessarily adapting his own
views to the boundaries laid down by
the party in convention, he neverthe-
less shows his mind clearly. AS a
Democrat without any break of 10y
partisan terms. Yet careful perusal
of his speech shows little to differ
entiate in point of principle between
Republicanism and Democracy. But
Tor the charge of corru ption and NAL
administration which he brings against
the party in power, in harmony with
the platform declaration adopted at
Madison Square Garden, the pro-
nouncement at Clarksburg bea IS no
stamp of definite and distinct Sarty
copyright.
Denunciation of the Republican ad.
ministration forms. therefore, tie key
note OF the address, and will apparent
ly be the keynote as we'll of the cam
paign. Mr.. Davis charges the party in
power as responsible for an era of cor
ruption in Office, favoritism in legisla-
ton. division and discord in party
councils and impotence in govern
ment. He indicts the party "for hav-
ing shaken public confidence to it's
very foundations. He recites specifi-
cally instances of that party's failure.
They are familiar. Republican spokes.
men will declare that they are over.
stated, unwarranted in their sweeping
terms, unjustified in their conclusion.
Mr.. Davis, however, has spoken with
the skill Of statement Of one trained
in the law and accustomed to precision
Of expression. AS an advocate he goes
as far as possible. AS counsel he
makes the most Of his material in be-
half of his client, the Democratic
party.
Naturally and necessarily this
speech will be subjected to analysis
and to partisan challenge, in its tone
and in its content 1t will be compared
for vigor and for frankness, for evil
dence Of sincerity and for trustworthi-
ness as a guide post to performance,
with the speech Of Mr.. Coolidge, which
will be delivered Thursday evening
next in this city. In this, as in all
matters political in the past, men will
read with partisan eyes. They will
see virtue in phrases from one mouth
and falsity or weakness in phrases
from another. But the speech Of John
w. Davis, read with knowledge Of the
man, his character, his ideals and his
actual performances in public and pri-
vate life, should leave the people Of
the country, outside Of the ranks Of
definite partisanship, reassured Of a
sound, safe and honest administration
Of national affairs If he should be the
choice Of the voters in November.