Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 53, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1920 — A RAINBOW MOTHER’S VIEWS [ARTICLE]

A RAINBOW MOTHER’S VIEWS

To the Editor of the News: Sir —I greatly appreciate the able presentation of the issues of this campaign by the News, and especially the discussion of the paramount Issue —the league of nations. As the mother of one ot the "Rainbow boys” who fought through the great war, and as a first voter, I desire to express some of my views through your columns. I was reared a Republican and educated in the atmosphere of the great moral questions that were espoused by the Republican party in its' early history. But 1 can not vote the Republican ticket in campaign, for its platform and candidate oppose the greatest moral and humanitarian issue ever presented in any campaign. The league of nations is the expression in definite form of the lofty sentiment that sustained us during the war. Every true American was for it until the bampaign of hate and misrepresentation started in the United States senate. Every criticism offered can be answered against the present position of the Republican party by the words of the ablest men in that party, spoken when they were moved by patriotism and not under the stress of a partisan campaign. When our boys enlisted, when they qailed to Europe, while they fought and while we worked and prayed for them, patriotic speakers, ministers of the gospel and the press all assured us that our soldiers were fighting, not only to win the war, but to end all war or make the nearest possible approach to that desirable end. We have lost much of the glory and honor won by our brave solders We can only hope to regain our lost preetiage and tarnished nonor by promptly entering the existing league. Talk of a separate peace with Germany, or of some other indefinite/ association of nations is dishonorable and is trifling with the American people on a great moral question. Those who indulge in such talk are either deceived or are seeking to deceive the people. Fortyone nations are already In the existing league, and, though hindered by foolish and unreasonable criticism and by Amierica’s failure In the hour of her greatest achievement and most glorious opportunity, the existing league is in successful operation and 'has already justified its existence by preventing two wars. Both Senators Harding and Watson voted for the resolution for a separate peace with Germany. This meant the abandonment of our allies and a bld for the pro-German vote in this country. Senator Wattxm even argues that we have never been at war with Germany. This is an insult to every soldier, and, as the mother of a soldier, I resent the Insult.

The issue is now clear. Senator Harding has wabbled from Johnson to Wickersham, but he Is now back with the Irreconcilable enemies of the great covenant of peace. In his speech Sept. 20 to a company of old soldiers he denounced the league as a "stupendous fraud.” In his speech of acceptance he said he would hasten to sign a resolution for a separate peace with Germany.Friends of the league can find no hope here. Governor Cox has at all times said he favors going into the league, but is willing to accept any reservations that do not change the essentials of the great covenant of peace. Senator Watson stands with Senator Harding and the ,enemies of the league. Mr. Taggart ie for the league, and his sound business judgment and lofty patriotism commend Mm. ' - Governor Cox has a good record for law enforcement on the liquor question, as well as all others. He has said that 'the liquor question is as dead ak the slavery question. Senator Harding has not said so much nor has he even Informed us whether he still own® the brewery stock he is known to have once owned. . We know where Governor Cox stands on all questions. Senator Harding has shifted his position so often that I can have no faith in any statement he make®. Republicans say he is dignified and a great American. Vacillation and evasion are not characteristics of either greatness or true Americanism. I see more dignity and more elements of a real president in a man who has carried his state in three out of four contests against great odds, has proved that he is a progressive statesman and a great executive, and frankly states hds position so that all may understand, than I do in a man who draws his inspiration from the most reactionary crowd tn American politics and hesitates to state his views so all may- know where he stands. This is a campaign based on Issues. The league is the controlling question with me. I could not look my boy in the face again if I failed to work and vote for the principles for which he fought and all but sacrificed his life. My daughter is still in France helping to heal the wounds of the awful war and bring better condition® to the French women. My son came home, but the sons of some of my neighbors -sleep in Flanders field. Thedr sacrifice should not be thrown away. It can only be preserved and made to mean the most to posterity by America’s prompt entrance into the existing league. My vote shall be cast for Cox and Roosevelt as the only effective way of helping to achieve this desirable end. ‘ Partisanship should not stand in the way of duty: With many it will not in the presence of this great m/oral issue, which has in it more of the teachings ot Christ than any other question ever presented to the voters of America. A RAINBOW MOTHER. —lndianapolis News (HW-)-