The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1912-01-26
POSSIBLE EMBARRASSMENT.

length, the Knoxville Sentinel takes
Issue with the attitude Of this PAPER
IN the oestion of party harmony and
the coming Joint primary and conven-
ton. After discussing our objections
to the primary, the Sentinel says:
''Howeyer we are of the opinion that
The Herald has greatly exaggerated
the danger in the primary which has
been called for those of it's way or
thinking"
That Is just the point. What as
surance has The Sentinel that the
nominee of the coming primary for
Governor will not be re-actionary
and that the platform Of the May
convention will not declare for re-
peal Of the prohibition laws? II
that paper can positively assure us
that the nominee will stand by the
reforms for which we have contended
during the past four years and that
the nominee will be consistent ad-
yocate of those notable reforms we
WIN guarantee that much larger
number of Independents will vote in
the coming primary than now seems
probable.
We have no such assurances and
the contrary il is practically certain
that the platform of the May con-
yention will declare fol repeal of
The prohibition acts of 1909, for the
repeal of the honest election law of
tae same year and for the reinstate-
ment of the saloon and machine
domination of elections. The Nash
vile Democrat, the organ of the
liquor Machine is determined upon
this course. Every announced candi-
date for Office before the primary
Ia re-actionary and /. supporter OF
the legaliZcd liquor traffic. The con-
veution will be absolutely controlled
by those committed to the re-estaD-
lshmAnt OF the legalized liquor traf
&c in Tennessee.
Now the Sentinel ana It's able edi-
tor, the Honorable George F. Milton,
have been among the most conspicu-
Gus, the most powerful Ind the most
hApful advocates of prohibition ana
honest election laws within the
borders of Tennessee. The Sentinel
was the first great metropolitan daily
in Tennessee to espouse the cause
Of prohibition. In the campaign to
lid its home city of the saloon, its
editor took the stump and made
number Of powerful speeches ar
raigning the liquor traffic. chat
paper and its editor have both re-
peatedly pointed to the improved
condition of Knoxville morally and
financially as the result of the clos
ing Of the legalized liquor saloon
In the campaign of 1908 to elect
prohibition legislature, in the cam
paigns Of two years ago to preserve
tae fruits of the victories of 1909,
The Sentinel and it's editor both did
yoeman service. Mr.. Milton is
consistent prohibitio..ist He IS a
teetot'er His moral Standard and
his private walk in life are guaran
lees of his sincerity as an advocate
Of prohibition.
Holding the views and having the
record above will 1t not be a bit
embarrassing for Mr. Milton and his
paper to support liquor candidate
on liquor platform? Having enter
ed the primary, participated in the
convention and pledged support to
lis platform Mr.. Milton and his pap
er must Of necessity swallow every
thing that they have said for pro-
chibition and honest elections. They
must reverse the position OF years.
Ia other words it will be like begin
ming all over again. If this will not
be an embarrassing dilemma for Mr.
Milton and his paper we can hardly
conceive of situation that would be
embarrassing. What will he or his
paper gain for the cause for which
they have fought so hong and so
earnestly and so courageously
The Herald has not acted hastily
in this matter. 1t has weighed all
The arguments for and against the
so-called harmony" agreement. 1t
does mot believe that it has exagger-
ated the dangers of ths primary to
those who believe in the prohibition
of the iegalized liquor traffic. II
has simply looked the situation
Snuarnlv in the faca and II dasires