Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-04-23
THE CANDIDATE WHO is NOT 4
CANDLDATE---AlR. UNDER WOOD

presidential nomination.
In one state after another. primaries have been
or are to be- held without the remotest thought or
mention of his name.
He is not running in the west nor the east nor in
the south ITSELF save in two or three states; and
even in those he is not truly candidate. but merely
the passive instrument of political machine
Among all the states that have thus far acted
Mr. Underwood has received the consideration of only
one-Alabama, where he lives and now it is reliably
asserted that thirty-fVe of the fortyeght Alabama
delegates are StaHch supporters of Woodrow Wilson,
and that they tCiH cast their voteS for him in the
Baltimore convention on the Uery first opportunity
to do so.
Think upon this, you people of Georgia, whom a
political alliance, composed chiefly of the Democratic
parys nveterate foes trying to dupe into giving
your ballots to a purely puppet candidate simply to
further their own selfish design!
In the presidential primary which was held in
Alabama on April the first last Mr.. Underwoods was
the only name that appeared the ticket The
people were not allowed to express themselves as to
a second choice. Had they been permitted to do so,
they would undoubtedly have recorded themselves as
practical unit for Wilson When the state convention
met last week, it was decided that forty-eght dele
gates to the national convention should be named
each of them representing half vote in that body
Now these delegates were instructed to vote for Mr.
pliment to their representative in congress, but the
moment it is actually demonstrated that he has no
chance of the nomination and his name is withdrawn
thirtyiive of them will go solidy to Wilson And
by so doing, these delegates will carry out the wishes
of the great majority of the Alabama people They
are cordially willing to pay their congressman the
tribute of preliminary ballot; and, if there were the
slightest opportunity of his getting the nomination
they would stand by him to the end. But they real
+lo IarUn Of he faDdS
such chance; and so, having discharged what they
consider Natural obligation to their "favorite son."
they pass to the really important business before
them-the choosing of a man who will make the
ttest candidate and the best president and that
issue. they are agreed upon Woodrow Wilson.
Alabama's people and her delegates to the
vention are justly proud of Mr.. Underwood's work
in the house. But they have no illusions about his
presidential candidacy. They know that he cannot
be nominated, and that if he Were he could not be
elected And so thoroughly the people of his home
district understand these facts that they have pro-
ceeded to renomnate him to his seat in congress-
just as though presidential primary had been held
They know that he is rendering them good service in
the position he holds and for which he himself
is seeking reelection, and they are determined to
keep him there.
Yet in the face of this pointed situation, which
speaks so clearly for itself that thinking can
fail to grasp its meaning, clique of politicians, con-
spring with some of the bitterest enemies and trait
ors of the Democratic party. come to the people of
Georgia and ask them to sacrifice their votes to
candidate whose own state does not consider him
seriously in the race.
However earnestly we might desire to Mr.
Underwood the nominee, votes could avail him
nothing simply for the reason that no part of the
country no part of the south is regarding his candi
dacy with any significance. He himself is making
no pretense Of being in the campaign either in this
section or elsewhere. He is not running in Kentucky
where he was born, in Texas where the contest
is between Wilson and Harmon; nor in Louisiana,
where it is between Wilson and Harmon; nor in
Tennessee or Virginia Maryland, all of which de-
veloped a stanch Wilson following.
This is the situation as regards Mr.. Underwood
in the south And what of the country at large?
In oklahomas presidential primary, majority
of the districts went for Governor Wilson although
he lived far away the extreme edge of the CONT
nent In the subsequent convention the states con-
vention votes were equally divided between him and
Speaker Clark Mr. Underwood got no votes at all
and was not considered.
In Kansas, the nextdoor neighbor of the speakers
home state Missouri. the delegation instructed to
vote for Mr. Clark, but go to Governor Wilson when
it became evident that Clark could not be nominated
Mr. Underwood got votes at all.
Missouri naturally instructed for its son, the
speaker But Mr. Underwood not remotely men,
toned
Indiana gave Governor Marshall its complimentary
support, but when the decisive moment of the con-
vention arrives, it will be in the Wilson column Mr..
Underwood never once entered the peoples mind
In Maine twelve delegates were chosen without
instructions Eight Of them are avowed Wilson sup
porters but not one of them is for Mr.. Underwood.
North Dakota paid its own governor, Governor
Burke the compliment of indorsing him for the presi
dency But the governor is outspoken for Wilson and
for Wilson the entire delegation will cast its real vote
Mr.. Underwood is unknown to Dakota as presiden-
tial candidate.
In the Wisconsin primary, Governor Wilson won
an overwhelming victory. Congressman Underwoods
name was not even the ballots.
Illinois went strongly for Speaker Clark, but Mr..
Underwood was not even in the