The Progressive Democracy of James M. Cox | Page 8

the lines of the Ohio workmen's compensation law?
Under its influence, industrial conditions have improved, life and limb
have been conserved, the workmen's families are happy in their
security and a new era has dawned for millions of people. It was
enacted when legislation of this sort was an experiment in America. If
every state in this Union had a law of this sort our nation would have
solved half of its industrial problems. Our courts are free from the
vexatious litigation that fosters criticism and they are trusted as never
before in history. It has been a factor of no small importance that
enabled our state to uphold the sovereignty of the law without
repressive measures directed against freedom of speech and pen.

"Educational activities have been quickened and rural life has been
regenerated through modem school legislation. To the boys and girls of
our rural districts there are coming schools which will be second to
none in our most progressive cities, and one of the reasons for draining
of the country districts of population will be checked. It has given an
impetus to church and community life that is of greatest importance.
"These things are cited not because there is any disposition to urge that
there should be encroachment by the federal government on local
control. It is the healthful, reasonable individualism of American
national life that has enabled the people of this country to think for
themselves. We have no will to impair their independence. The central
government can assist and give encouragement to state movements if
the men called to high positions are in sympathy with progress. A
reactionary central government can demonstrate likewise that it has no
sympathy with men of vision who ever have difficult tasks in bringing
about the taking of forward steps.
"The details of these instances, which might be greatly expanded, have
been touched in order to form a setting as for a picture. Our view is
toward to-morrow. The opposition, and I assume that they are sincere
in it, stands in the skyline of the setting sun, looking backward,
backward to the old days of reaction."

CHAPTER IV
COX AND THE LEAGUE--"I FAVOR GOING IN"
"And I do earnestly urge that all the people of this great and
enlightened state assemble at their respective places of worship and
invoke Almighty God to enlighten the Rulers of the world to the end
that they may see the folly of war and speedily terminate it; that in our
homes and about our hearthstones we implore the Divine Spirit in
behalf of the people of the stricken nations, whose miseries are beyond
our comprehension-- people who have been plunged into the depths of
war through no fault of their own.

"And I do further recommend and urge that in all the schools of the
State of Ohio the afternoon of Friday, October 2nd, 1914, be set aside
for exercises, having for their purpose to instill into the minds of
children and into their hearts the great blessing that will come to them
and to the world when war is no more."
The quoted sentences from Governor Cox's proclamation for a day of
prayer on October 4, 1914, a period at which the horrors of the great
world war had but begun, disclose that Governor Cox is not a recent
convert to the central thought and purpose of the conception of the
League of Nations.
Through the numerous official proclamations and the many addresses
which he made during the period of the war the central thought
repeatedly emphasized was that the fruit of war must be an everlasting
peace. In accordance with the proclamation of the President,
establishing June 5, 1917, as the "call-to-the- colors" day of the young
men of the Country, the Governor said:
"It is probably the most trying hour the world has ever known, and the
policies of government, purified and preserved by those who live now,
will determine the civilization under which our children and our
children's children shall live in the future. What greater guarantee of
their peace and happiness can be given them than a democracy that
envelops all nations--a democracy sanctified by an endearing memory
of what was unselfishly given to make it possible?"
In his proclamation calling for a State convention to perfect the
organization of an Ohio branch of the League to Enforce Peace, the
Governor emphasized as the second of its objects "to keep the world
safe by a League of Nations," and he said that the purpose of the
organization would be "to confirm opposition to a premature peace and
sustain the determination of our people to fight until Prussian
militarism is destroyed and the way may be open for securing
permanent peace by a League of Nations." When hostilities were
concluded Governor