Democratic Platform

Foreword had gone about that the Democratic platform would be much shorter than the Republican. Instead it turned out to be of about equal length—perhaps a little longer. Whereas the Republicans took 24 hours to prepare their platform—although much of it was practically prepared in advance —the Democrats spent four days on their platform, largely because of differences over the League and Klan planks.

There were only a few planks in each platform which did not have their counterparts in the other. The Republicans had planks on Economy, Reorganization of the Executive Branch of the Government, Repayment of Foreign Debts, Opposition to Government Entering Business, an Anti-Lynching Law. These have no specific treatment in the Democratic platform.

The following summary of the Democratic platform gives assertions in ordinary roman type; promises in italics. Beneath each plank in parenthesis is a condensation of the corresponding Republican plank, if any. Words and phrases of the originals are preserved as much as possible.

Wilson. Profound homage to the memory of Woodrow Wilson, whose spirit and influence will live through the ages.

To take up the standard which he bore.

(Similar reverence for the memory of Warren G. Harding.)

Principles. Democrats stand for equal opportunity for all; Republicans for special privilege. The Democratic Party stands for remedial legislation and progress. The Republican party stands still.

Democratic Rule, 1913-1921. Economic life quickened; no corruption; privilege uprooted; great leadership in a great war; reduction of tariff taxes; creation of Federal Trade Commission, Farm Loan system, Secretariat of Labor; Federal Reserve system; enactment of more effective, constructive, remedial legislation than the Republicans had done in a generation.

(Industry stagnant, etc.)

Republican Rule, 1921. Politics depraved; one Secretary disgraced, another incapable, a third shockingly unfit. Veterans' Bureau filled with fraud and neglect. Oil leases made criminally; censure of those who exposed crime. A vote for Coolidge is a vote for chaos.

(Industry active, credit sound, etc.)

Issues. Dishonesty; discrimination; extravagance; inefficiency; unbearable taxation; agricultural distress; high cost of living; the tariff; destruction of foreign markets; high cost of transportation.

Honesty. Ejection of the corrupt and substitution of honest officials.

(Prosecution of corrupt; new laws.)

League of Nations. The only hope for world peace is in organized efforts of nations. Under Democrats such a plan was devised and is functioning for 34 nations. There is no substitute for the League. The question should be taken out of politics.

Assistance in securing peace through the League of Nations and World Court. Entry into the League with reservations when a census-referendum, authorized by Congress, shows that the people so desire.

(Enter into World Court; keep out of League; more arms limitation when conditions are favorable.)

Tariff. The Fordney-McCumber Tariff is the most unjust, unscientific, dishonest in our history; is class legislation, increases cost of living two billion dollars, penalizes agriculture, in the long run benefits no one.

A tariff that will promote competition, prevent monopoly, yield a fair revenue.