Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1920 — NO WONDER THEY FEAR THE ISSUE [ARTICLE]

NO WONDER THEY FEAR THE ISSUE

Republican leaders are doubtless sincere in their statements that they don’t want" the treaty of peace to become an in , the next presidential campaign. Their responsibility for its being a partisan question in the first place, and their accountability for the costly postponement of peace would, in that case, be put clearly and unmistakably before the voters, of whom some 15,000,000 or more will be women whose sons and brothers fought to end war.

It was no part of the Republican plan that they should frankly avow their hostility to the treaty and the league of nations, and assume the onus of their defeat. They schemed to preserve an appearance and give an impression of friendliness in the very act of striking the treaty dead. They hoped to be able to mourn with their lips while they rejoiced in their hearts at the treaty’s death. They sought to gratify their rabid animosity toward the president by

nullifying his efforts without bearing the consequences of their action. The president’s plain declaration of what he thinks of Republican tinkering with the treaty and the league of nations may well frighten the Republican managers who have been trying to play a double part. They had not counted on having to stand, with the eyes of the country upon them, and answer the challenge.