The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-02-07
FINDING MARES NESTS.
"The Tattler' Disoourses on "Maenines
and CONFIDENTIAL Letters.
To The Free Lance:

To The Free Lance
The party enemies of Congressman
Swanson appear TO be in very exclta
BILE state-if the "fit OF high strikes
caused by the publication Of his "conh
dentisl" circular letter is any indioa-
tion Of the state Of their nerves. The
honorable gentleman who betrayed the
confidence unwittingly bestowed upon
him must feel highly elated because OF
the hubbub he has raised among the
few who are not as are other men.
The Richmond Leader may have
found friends of Mr.. Swanson who ad'
nit that 1t is unfortunate that the letter
was written, but it is probable that
su,h is not the case That paper must
be badly infected with the virus OF
rabies II such a little bit Of water as
that letter is sufficient 10 cause 1t to
have a ft in the gutter and to sling
mud all around. One would suppose
that the letter in question was very
reasonable and an Infamous crime
against our fair Commonwealth. to
iudee By the howl that went up 90 the
heavens upon it's discovery.
Asa political appeal there is nothing
Objectionable In the document. so Tar
as The Tattler can see IL Is nothing
more than one should expect. unless It
is in its frankness # expression. More
over. it is we'll known that Mr.. Swan
son does stand Loyalty by his friends.
and Ia not like some others who rolling
in self-consoious superiority, are high
ar law unto themselves. and act as II
under no obligations to be grateful for
anything, except more OF the same
The letter is an index Of the man. IL
says something. and he does something.
There are others gifted and trained and
we'll equipped who do nothing but talk.
Swanson is not built that way. He
does things
Just fancy the feelings Of the hyster
ical gents who had virtuous spssms over
the Swanson letter when they opened
their mail later. and found q circular
letter from our accomplished Attorney
General soliciting their support In his
behalf in his canvass for the Guberns
sorial nomination One caa almost see
the hush that fell upon them. IL was so
dense. But the cheering thought CO.
ours that perhaps it was the needed
antidote. and that it helped them re-
cover their mislaid senses. at least tenn
porarily.
A comparison of the two letters as
they lay side and side shows that Mr.
Montague aud Mr.. Swanson both de-
sire the nomination, and while one
saws he is very anxious to secure your
aid and support" the other "will BE-
very grateful to have your Influential
support" etc. Oae is marked "coni-
dential, 4" the other Is not. Mr.. Monts'
que's letter is one such that any man
may WIlt6 WituOub uioOtOuif w ~ HAA@"N''1
and his bitterest enemy can have mo
iust cause to condemn him While
more general In Its tone than the con-
idential Swanson letter. It's tenor is the
same both men want the nomination,
and want 1t badly. Il is dollars to
nickels that being marked "conhden-
tial' was a sure thing that real mares
nest had been discovered in the Swan.
son letter.
The Washington Post some time ago
stated that Mr.. Swanson's candidacy
was Endorsed by Senators Daniel and
Martin, and the majority Of the Vir.
ginia delegation. Mr.. Jones, IL Is said. i.
favored Mr.. Montague. Immediately
there arose a mighty howl Of machine
candidate" at Mr. Swanson, presumably
because he was said to be favored
by Senator Martin. Virginians pro.
fess to be very proud Of John W. Daniel
and to consider him TO be almost with
out peer. The congressman are sup.
posed to be men Of ability, too. and o
credit to their State, bat when 1t comes
to nominating a Governor, IAN insig-
nifioant railroad sttorney"-as he is
stysd by the men who thank God that