Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-04-09
VOTE Your REAL CONVICTIONS

J tfaI primary May the first, viii appear the
names Of all four Of the avowed Candidates
Tor the Democratic nomination, placed in alphabet
zeal order: Champ Clark, Governor Harmon, Con-
gresham Underwood and Woodrow Wilson. Should
the voter not wish to support any of these four
he may indicate in space below the printed names
bis choice Of any other Democrat.
The individual citizen viii thus be afforded the
broadest possible opportunity to record his prefer
snce His choice viii not be limited to any two
candidates or even to the four who are mentioned.
He may vote for whomsoever he considers the best
nan for the Democratic leadership.
The Journal is convinced that there is but one
candidate among the four who stands chance Of
being nominated or elected-woodrow Wilson Ger
Eainly, he is the only among them. all who is
making a national contest and who has inspired
national following Certain it is too, that he is vr
!uaIly a Georgia man, linked to our own people by
avery bond of rearing and marriage and family and
BY inherent human sympathies. Because of this
,act, coupled with his ability statesman end his
illness a candidate. believe he should receive
6eorgia's undivided support.
The fact to which we would now call particular
attention. however list his: that the voters in the
Approaching primary win not be limited to choice
between any two candidates. They may cast their
baIots for whatever Democrat their convictions lead
them to prefer.
They are not limited to Wilson and Underwood
any more than to Underwood and Clark or to IN
ierwOod and Harmon The entire field of candidates
s open to them and they may choose their good
tense and their state and party patriotism direct
We call attention to this fact for the reason, that
a clique Of machine politicians are now trying to
IecOy the people into voting for Mr.. Underwood
simply because he is anti-Wilson candidate and
represents their particular interests
They have selected him merely as an instrument
with which to accomplish. if they can their special
Iesign in Georgia
They do not expect him to be nominated
They do not pretend that he is stronger or an
Ibler candidate than Governor Harmon or Speaker
clark
They do not pretend that he has even as large
following as either of those two.
And yet, they are urging the voters of this state
regardless Of the voters preference as among Har
non and Clark and Underwood to forget the former
!wo and cast a ballot for the candidate of the
machine.
more presuptuous and audacious thing was
lever proposed to free-minded people
Suppose citizen is not favorably inclined to
Governor Wilson; is that within itself any reason
shy he should vote for Congressman Underwood
when he may individually prefer Governor Harmon
andidates are on the ballot?
Such proposition is not only impertinent If is
eally insulting to the peoples intelligence
For. it amounts to asking them to throw their
IWn convictions to the wind and to flock sheeplike
nto corral which the machine politicians have
prepared for them
Had these interests hid it within their power to
10 so. they would undoubtedly lave denied the peo
e of Georgia the right to ali the candidates
q the field They would arbitrarily have limited
he voters choice to two men. But lacking that
'ower they are now trying to lead the people by
he nose for-their own special candidate
AS We said in the outset convinced that
Woodrow Wilson is the one man among all the four
o be voted on in the May primary who has chance
being nominated or of leading the party to victory.
But as a matter of fair play and political justice,
We remind those Georgans who, perchance, may pre-
er Governor Harmon Speaker Clark that they
FT have free opportunity to declare their choice
the polls and that they are under no necessity of
GLOWING the dictates of a ring and of renouncng
heir convictions only to for the 2akest candi-
ate Of all the four on the ticket.
Governor Foss having withdrawn his name from
he primary ticket in Massachusetts. the will be
etweeh Wilson and Clark. which means that Wilson
Ein have it all his way
Where is the old fashioned man Of affairs who
vore frOck coat and high hat during business
tours?
Why not have cabbage and snap bean contest as
Fell corn?
That wonderful institution, the Georgia mule will
DON be at work again.
Not everybody will see the Easter parade but