The Progressive Democracy of James M. Cox | Page 7

the despairing peoples of Europe, friend and enemy alike, to
turn in every agony to those who denied the fundamental precepts upon
which our society rests.
"Some one has called this black despair, 'Satanism,' the belief that the
laws and deeds of God and men are set against the victim. And we,
through the perversity of a few men, have been silent enemies of
Christian faith and allies, indeed, or this newer scourge of mankind.
There are happiness and satisfaction in the thought that we have not
this fault to bear. It is not strange to us that those who permitted narrow
views and ungenerous purpose to thwart our nation in its duty rest
uncomfortably under the accusations of the American conscience. If
temporary success is to be won at such sacrifice we cannot think it
worth the price.
"Nor can the blame be shifted. So far as was humanly possible,

objections were met. Reservations stating our complete compliance
with the fundamental organic law, needless as they were in a strictly
legal sense, were proposed. Others were accepted where they seemed to
be animated by proper motives, but good faith prevented acceptance of
those which proposed to withdraw the pledge in the same document in
which it was plighted. As was observed in the address accepting the
designation as champion of the party, every boy in our schools knows
that war may be declared only by act of Congress and that the
American Constitution rises superior to all treaties. Still, every friend of
the Covenant was ready to acquiesce in proposals that would state these
propositions, and more, if that would prove a solution.
"Failing in this effort, the resolution was formed that the only other
method lay in submitting the matter in a solemn referendum to the
conscience of America. In that great judgment we now are. Men are but
instrumentalities of the Divine Will, worked out, we pray, in the
nations. Few things are of smaller importance than the temporal
fortunes of men; no things of greater importance than the destiny of
mankind. Willingly would we undergo crushing defeat to save the
principle for which we strive, guiltily would we assume power won by
appeal to baser motives and selfish fears.
"There is in this year, for the causes here outlined, a militancy as of the
Crusaders, marching over mountains and deserts to wrest the Holy
Places from unworthy hands. There is a sacred fire in the countenances
of those who speak the message, there is a joy in proclaiming the
tidings, there is a zeal in spreading the word. We are preachers this year
of national righteousness, of honor, of faith and of high purpose.
"We scorn to think of our mission in ordinary terms. We disdain to look
upon the early days of November as a test of rival organizations in their
power to muster votes. We have no mind to compete in lavish outlay,
we have no purpose to resort to sinister methods of electrical appeal. If
we are to be chosen, it is to be because we have won the conscience of
the nation, and God helping us, we will appeal to nothing else.
"We turn from the external duties of the country to its internal.
Promises with respect to these matters must of every necessity be in

general terms largely because the problems are vast and must adjust
themselves to all parts of the country, harmonizing with conditions that
vary widely. Back of all legislation, back of statute and executive
policy worth while, there lies one unvarying hope and purpose--to right
wrong, to secure justice and to give equal opportunity. All measures
must be tested by these great principles and on them rest securely if at
all.
"Past performances--the record--furnish the best indication of a man's
mind, and the executive acts and legislative recommendations of the
Governor of Ohio during the past six years have been studied with
great care. That they have won approval is a source of gratification and
satisfaction that will endure. We are in this country face to face with
gigantic problems. They cannot be left unsolved. That would be
blindness. They cannot be considered in the gathering darkness of
reaction, they must be viewed in the brightening dawn of a new day.
"Before us we have the examples of restrained liberties and of
unfulfilled desires. It is dangerous to trust reactionary forces with
power. It may become a little short of menacing to the stability of our
institutions and to the orderly processes of development. It is well to
sound a word of warning, calmly but ever seriously.
"As has been observed, actions furnish the basis of determination of
fitness for further service. What better guarantee of cordial and sound
industrial relations between employee and employer than legislation
which follows