Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-10-16
LEADER OF GROUP

democrats ~ fEtLeT Deldteu. 1Hueeu,
one OF the chIe3 complaints against
The Harding administration, Is that
IL failed to expose the staggering
corruption of The procsdins demo-
cratic administration. Again the
democratic candidates advocating Of
free speech and like constitutional
guarantees would be more persuasive
II the denial OF these sacred prin-
ciples had not been chiefly under a
democratic administration OF which
he was distinguished member: and
IL these appeals had not been made
after President Coolidge had re-
leased political prisoners. and after
his Attorney General Stone had re-
Etored the Department Of Justice TO
its Constitutional integrity.
Il admit that the Republican
administration neglected great OPP
portunities TO restore the confidence
and good will Of the public; and
that particularly with respect to
problemS growing out of the war II
permitted war atmosphere to cloud
its vision and to paralyize its con-
duct. But / do not finR that the
Democratic party offers one inspiring
challenge to invite Independent sup
port.
However, regard It as of
primary importance that the popular
vote result in choice in President.
and that the elections be not thrown
into the House and the Senate.
Inasmuch as Davis appears to have
no practical prospect for victory at
the polls. it will be more profitable
to give reasons for preferring Cool
the contest seems to lie.
"I desDraRinfa all nara0nnI b..
upon LaF'Ollette. but simply cannot
accept his Fundamental policies and
principles. He demands that the
Versailles treaty be revised: and to
judge him by his following, he
repudiates the Dawes report. l re-
gard the Versailles treaty as an in
iquity-"a treaty of revenge" the
temporary Chairman of the Re-
publican Convention called 1t. But
we know that 1t cannot be revised.
At best it may be re-interpreted.
and then only by degrees. This is
the way pointed by the Dawes re-
port. 1t. too, may in the end prove
impossible. But If SO, time enough
with past experience and with
further prospects. For the present
no other basis for a general con-
ference could be found. AS a result
the conference has been had. and
much has been achieved. All the
Nations. including France and Ger
many, look to the Dawes plan for q
way out of chaos. Under these cir
cumstances, the defeat Of Coolidge
would be disastrous. Foreign gov
eminent would despair of our ability
to sustain any continuity of purpose.
The plan would be embarrassed or
even abandoned and professors
against past justice to Germany.
however sincere. would lay them
selves open to the charge OF having
encouraged the Juhker faction at the
expense Of the Liberal German Gov
eminent, and the overwhelming ma
jOrity OF the German people. Ram
say Mcdonald has wisely said that
it must be our purpose not to re-
write but to write history; - -
Even More Grave
Even more grave to my milld are
the constitutional amendments pro-
posed by LaFollette. The arguments
are familiar, and space. does not
allow their detailed discussion.
would even admit that any changes
however radical may be In a
measure restrained by conservative
Interpretation. But this much seems
clear to me. II the ultimate decision
upon the constitutionalitys of a
measure is once left to Congress,
then our dual system Of government
Is doomed. the integrity OF the States
Is destroyed. and every constitutional
guaranty Of personal liberty which
LaFollette has periodically cham
pioned, is at the mercy of the first
historical spasm that seizes a
majority in Congress.
For Illustration, free speech and
free press embrace the right to speak
and to print in foreign languages.
IL means the right to teach such
languages in parochial schools 1t
means generally. those personal
rights that We're not. as we must re-
gretfully admit, adequately guarded
by the Bar and the Courts. True. in
justice suffered can never be cor
rected; but there Is vast differ
ence between the temporary abate-
ment OF sacred principles and their
permanent forfeiture. Our expert
ence must have laugh, us what
legalized arrest and search without
warrant might and would mean. II
compelled to choose. am therefore
much more Interested in the con-
stitutionat preservation of these
rights for the future than I am In
an indignant discussion about their
administrative disregard In the past
If agreed with LaFollette upon
every other point. which l do not,
| should have to oppose him on this
ground alone. We are told that ff
elected he would present no danger,
because he could not secure the
adoption of these amendments. True;
but tha< explanation overreaches it,
self. His following is made up of
4 collection Of discordant professors.
He has not done what Ramsay Mac
Donald did In hammering his follow
trg into shape upon the anvil of con-
riction. But be that as 1t may. I
would not # .elt ever so secure,
stultify myself b. giving support TO
constitutional amendments that IN
my Judgment strike at the soupda-
ZION o: our institutions.
r Again. LaFollette Is applauded
az the champion 0. personal liberty:
and rignIi. so SC true American
can forget HE record In the DAYS 81
blind Intolerance. 2owardly oppres-
siou and active persecution by public
end by private agencies: WREN 1t
coule be truly said thar war hath
ne fur! like the non -combatant
could not be unmindful Of the in: