Western Carolina Democrat and French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1913-1915, 1914-05-14


asserting his qualifications for con
g~ressional service, would be as pre-
sumptuous as it is unnecessary.
It is the settled conviction of all,
Who have given the matter thought.
that with Judge Merrimon as our Rep
resentatiVe, no Congressional District
in the union would be more ably or
creditably represented
This being true it would be, to Say
the least, unfortunate should Judge
Merrimon's friends and other thought
full patriotic Democrats of this Dis
trict, allow his nomination to fall
through either Misrepresentation or
default.
In connection with the candidacy Of
Judge Merrimon one hears only two
expressions of an adverse character;
namely:
First Doubts as to his willingness to
become a candidate.
Second: His alleged Indifference as
to whether he is honored with the
nomination or not.
The sole purpose of this letter is to
enlighten the Citizens of this District
upon these two points and, if success
'ul therein, 1 conceive 1 will have per-
formed a distinct public service.
As to the first: Judge Merrimon was
for some time in doubt as to whether
in justice to his friends and himself
he would be warranted in standing
fcr the nomination when pressing pri-
yate business made it impossible for
him, to give even passing time and at
tention thereto. Upon the assurance
of many friends that they were con-
tent for him to make such announce
ment as he has, he determined, with
out a campaign and without an or
gsnization to submit his candidacy to
the people for their decision.
JUDGE MERRIMON IS a CANDI-
DATE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC con-
GRESSIONAL NOMINATION AND
HAS so ANNOUNCED HIMSELF.
THAT POINT is SETTLED.
AS to the Second: Judge Merrimon
is not Indifferent as to the nomination.
Should he be so honored, every voter
of the District can feel assured that
tho ohoioo wo,,15 ELI -
keenly appreciative or more deeply
sensible of the distinction and respon-
sibility.
There r the old and new schools
of politics. The Judge adheres
strongly to the former.
Without attempting to draw any
comparison between the two, or, to
eIumerate their respective merits, or,
dement's, it is well understood, that
Under the old idols it was deemel
rather unseemly to unduly press ones
claims for a nomination within the
party; while, under the new, not only
may any candidates press his claims
s~trenuously and approximately with
violation of the proprieties, but a
campaign inside the party
is rather expected, in fact, often de-
manded. II
In consequence of this latter day
custom to solicit support within the
party is to appeal for personal adj
vancement; while to solicit support
the nominee of a party is an appeal,
TO sustain principles.
One might well hesitate to throw
his whole personality into a contest of
the character of the first, but not the
last.
So it does not follow that Judge
Merrimon will be less effective in the
general election campaign, because
not aggressive in party primaries or
convention in advancing his person
al ambition.
And certainly if he prefers to OBJ
serve the proprieties of the old school
-OAO Cdu COuOCA4u dAu al hu0C OAA
Therefore no voter should deceive
himself, or, allow himself to be de-
by the idea entertained, or, adj
vanced, that Judge Merrimon is indif-
ferent to the honor the nomination
involves, or, unappreciative of the eff
forts of his friends.
1t is well understood that the emol-
uments of the Office alone would be
inducement to him to divert his
time and attention from his chosen
profession.
To be able, however, to serve his
fellow citizens and be chosen by them
t. do so, would be, to one of his ideals
and temperament, an inestimable hon