Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1911-07-07
KEEP LEROY PERCY
IN THE SENATE
Hon. ]. B. Streater Sets Forth Reasons
Why He Should be Reelected.

@0N
forth the following reasons why the
son of the "Gray Eagle of the Delta
should be kept at Washington:
The political campaign in Mississippi
In waxing warm, and in every part of
the state the people are beginning to
think and seriously discuss the import
ant issues involved in the conspicuous as
pirants in the field, the race for United
States senator is attracting the most
attention, and promises to be the chief
center of public interest from now I'm
til the primaries in August. It has not
been my habit in life to take an active
part in politics, but when Senator Nc
Laurin died, l became greatly interested
in the selection of his successor, and at
first favored the nomination of Mr..
Alexander for the place. But, now, in
common with thousands of other citi-
zens, l am anxious to see Senator
Percy, who has made such a brilliant
record during his brief term of service
at Washington, retained in his present
position, for which he has demonstrated
himself to be SO admirably fitted. The
reasons why no change should be made
are SO obvious and appealing, that 1
0AAA4OC OClICSC CAC SuA4IdSloCS III lS
state will do aught else thar to place
a commission for a full senatorial term
in Mr.. Percy's hands, and say to him,
"You have lone so well during your
few brief months in office, that we de-
sire to give you the opportunity to ac-
complish yet larger things and shed still
more luster upon Mississippi and the
south"
But, specifically, what are some of
the reasons why Mr.. Percy should be
continued as United States senators?
1. Because it was his masterful and
aggressive leadership more than any
other one influence, that brought vic
tory when the scattered and divided
opposition was struggling against Var
damanism in the state legislature a lit
tie more than a year ago. While others
were timid and hesitant, he took the
doughty Major publicly to task, aired
fearlessly his unsavory record, pointed
out the vicious tendency of his teach
ings, and flung the gauge of battle at
his feet. As a distinguished Mississip-
plan has expressed it, But for Percy,
it would not now be a question of keep
ing Vardaman out of the senate-he
would already be there" 1t is true that
there was no definite pledge upon the
part of the conservative candidates that
the man elected to Senator McLaurin's
uneXpired term, should also have the
support of that element for the long
term; but it was the general impress
sion that whoever was nominated would
be expected to contest the issues involved
with Major Vardaman before the peo-
pie. MI. Percy's selection by the legis-
lature was virtually a call and commits
sion to do battle for sound democracy in
the state, and in his speech of accept
ance he publicly pledged himself to the
task. Should he not nave the fruits
of the victory which was so brilliantly
won in the memorable contest in the
winter of 191O2 Having placed the
sword in his HAND and sent him forth
as it's representative into the struggle,
is it not fair and just hat the conser-
vative democracy of Mississippi should
stand by him now? 1t certainly seems
so to me.
2. Because it has long been a time
honored principle among the democrats
of Mississippi to give a faithful public
official a second term. So strong is
this feeling, that in most cases it is
considered useless to run against a
worthy man who is standing for re-
election for the first time. Why should
this co~mmendable rule be varied in the
case of Senator Percy2 He has not had
even anything like one full term in the
senate. His record is the pride of his
friends and the despair of his enemies.
No man can find any fault with it.. Of
all the great and gifted men Mississippi
has sent to the national capital, not one
accomplished more or achieved larger
distinction the first year, than has he.
At the behest of the people, he has laid
down his large law practice and di-
vorced himself from his business. Is
it not due him, since he has done this, to
show some appreciation of such action
upon his part? This is the way that I,
at least. see it.
2. But what could be gained by TX
changing Mr.. Percy for another man?
His lineage is all that could be desir-
ed. Born in Alabama, his father came
to Mississippi when n youth, settled in
Washington county, and by his own eff
forts became one Of the foremost citi-
zens of the state. At the outbreak of
the civil war, he enlisted in the Con-
federate service, and for four years fol-
lowed the flag of the stars and bars.
Side by side with Senator George and
others, he stood in the fight for white
supremacy in the dark days of the re-
construction. a true and tried patriot,
a great lawyer and a noble and useful
servant of the people, he was stricken
down by death while yet in his prime,
beloved by all who knew him and
mourned from the Tennessee line to the