Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1914-07-31
THE APOSTLE OF Discomfort

THE APOSTLE OF Discomfort.
Mr.. Slemp proposes to make his
campaign upon the defects and fail
urcs of an administration of which he
is part.
If there have been real defects in
the Wilson administration the people
Of the country will not object to hav-
ing them pointed out and exposed.
We correct our mistakes and abandon
our sins by having them charged
home upon us, and the better way
pointed out. If Mr.. Slemp is sincere
in his statements that the Democratic
administration has been and is fail
urc, and can suggest Il better way
then he should be welcomed, in fact,
invited to every center of population,
not only in his own district, but all
over the country, and given Il careful
hearing. We feel sure that all honest
citizens of this section, of all political
crecds, will prove interested hearers
He should be sure of his ground and
prepared to point out clearly not only
the mistakes of Wilson, but offer a
better and more etfectual way. On
the other hand, is Mr.. Slemp only the
Apostle of discomfort? Will he as
sumo the role of the selfish, schcming
political ofiice-sceker, and adopt as
his slogan, "Do the opposite-any-
thing to VIM? viii he aim to create
n feeling of discomfort where none
exists and where he knows none
should exist, in order to forward his
own interest by holding seat in
Congress which heretofore has brou-
ght its greatest good to himself? To
preach discomfort where there is no
discomfort is as wrong as to cry
peace, peace. when there is no peace"
To attempt to carry an election by
stirring up, as with muck-raker's
instinct for bad smells and foul
odors, is beneath the dignity even of
cheap politician, to say nothing of
that of patriotic statesman and
member of Congress.
What would be thought of ply
stefan who should try to persuade
everyone he met that they were sick
and needed treatment at once, and
at the same time solicit their patron
age? Practically this is exactly what
is done by Office seekers who howl
calamity in times such as we are
having now. In times when great
epidemic is sweeping the country
and killing scores and hundreds, it
is not only the right but the duty
OF the physician to busy himself in
every way, in order to relieve suffer-
ing and save life, but to cry pest-
lcnce and contagion when everybody
is in good health, would be reprehens
ible and criminal,as we'll as degrad-
ing. The preachers of discomfort are
treading on, at least, doubtful terri
tory. 1t is easy to criticize and howl,
and the public official who criticizes
and howis should be sure of his
ground. 1t is not impossible to per-
suade some people that they are
sick when they are not. Little skill
is necessary. Just keep at it, repent
1t often enough and with proper en-
phasis and show of sincerity and ex
aggeratcd coloring, and before the
victim is aware of it he is sick abed.
In this manner panics are produced,
and at this game the Republicans
arc playing now.
On the other hand Mr.. Irvine Is
the Apostle of Optimism and Cor
tent. He will make his campaign one
CT cheerfulness ana hopefulness. H.
will tell the people that the Wilson
administration is not only not a
failure" but stupendous, almos.
inconceivable success. And his decla-
rations will be backed up by facts
and figures, and the unsolicited opin-
ions and affirmations of leading men
and newspapers of all political par
ties in this country and from over
the seas as well. He will preach the
gospel of good cheers. There will be
no pcssimistic note. His speeches
will ring loud and clear as he calls
the patriotic men of the mountains
to stand squarely by the great men
at the head of this great govern
ment, and if they are not cajoled
and deceived by the Apostle of Dis
content, will heed the call.
1t is fashionable these days to wear
dresses cut dccollete at both extre-
mites.