The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-10-30
Mr.. McSpedden.


Dir. McSpedden appears again this
week in the paper in a political role.
He has very aptly drawn his conclusions
from our part OF the controversy, and
he is very exacting about it. Taken
literally he has pointed out our departure
from the strict disciplinary methods of
debate. In saying that Mr.. McSpedden
assumed MIR. Hooper to have all the
virtues and Mr.. Rye to have none, The
Commercial, we admit, should have
been more definite. But it was the sur
roundings aud the friends of the two
candidates we intended to refer to as the
cause OF MIR. McSpedden's criticism.
And after all, these are the things That
are as much part Of the candidate as
his personal character, almost II not
quite so. Whether or not Mr.. Rye, with
Mr.. Lea, Mr.. Howse and Mr.. Crump,
are personal and political friends we
do not know in fact, but we do know
that Mr.. Rye has personal friends who
are honorable and conscientious men,
and we know that he has thousands OF
political friends all over the State, who
are thoroughly and conscientiously COM
mited, not only to the principles OF the
Democratic party, but to the principles
OF temperance and Statewide Prohibit
ton. We know these things, without
the probability Of doubt. We know that
this particular body OF men will have
more influence on Mr.. Rye's political
actions than everything Lea, Howse
and Crump can do either individually or
collectively. 1t is no doubt true there
are Democrats in the State, just as there
are Republicans, who do not care for
the principles OF Prohibition, aud we
will say now what MIR. McSpedden may
think paradox that there are indie
pendent Democrats who.are not par
ticuarly interested in the question OF
Prohibition. Just exactly what their
motives are in this campaign, goodness
only knows, we don't. A leader OF the
independent Democratic forces 10 bis
particular territory of the State was heard
to make the remark the other day that
he was not at all concerned about Pro-
hibition. And yet we presume he would
lay claim to honest Democratic eonvic-
tions.
The difference between Mr.. MeSped-
den and the paper is that Mr.. McSped-
den thinks, or seems 70 think, that in
the two candidates their party
affiliations need have no consideration
at all. Is there no diffeSence2 Governor
Hooper, two years before he was elect
ed Governor, voted for Jesse Littbeton,
a straight out whisky Republican, for
Governor against the Democratic can
didase, Mr.. Frazier. But, assuming that
is neither here nor there suppose Gov
ernor Hooper is reelected next Tues
day. Two years from now there will
be national election and Governor
Hooper, with his State Republican or.
will be moviag heavea and
earth 10 defeat Woodrow Wilsoa. Is
he to have no advantage with the
in power, OF would they be
40 formidable without the machinery of
the Slater Is there no difference m this
to Democrat? President Wilson,. &C
knowledged to be in his own party and
out Of it the greatest President SINCE the
DAYS Of Washington, Jefferson and Linz
coin. probably the most gifted Of all the
Presidents, TO be fought by Repub-
l;can organization, whom the, men Of
his own party have elected. Is there
no difference? President Wilson, who,
in times OF the greatest stress and
crises, has steered the great ship OF State
to the wonder and amazement OF all the
world, and protected the peace and hap
piness OF his own citizens, to have the
opposition OF the people OF bis own
party in Tennessee, one Of the Demo-
cratic States Of the Solid South Is
there no difference2 Does it not give
Governor Hooper and the Republicans
in Tennessee a big advantage to have
the Endorsement Of the people Of the '