Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1914-10-29
A Clarion Call to Duty.
Communicated
Editor Virginia Free Press

Editor Virginia Free Press
Allow me to warn the Democrats
of West Virginia against peril that
is very real and very extensive, and
that is the peril OF over-conEiG fence.
The election is barely two weeks dis
tant, and at this hour there are lit
orally thousands of Democrats who
fondly fancy that It is all over but
the shouting. This state of mind
deadens energy and puts a stop to
effort And it will put stop to
Democratic victory if the party does
not wake from its pipe-dieam OF
triumph "on flowery beds of ease,
and go to work as men should A
victory we don't work for is not Ike
ly to be much of a victory anyhow,
and it's Heavens own truth that if
we don't work for it we are certainly
likely to get it.
No party was ever summoned to thu
polls with better cause for enthusiasm
on the part of its members than the
Democratic party is now. Yes, We
I, know that the best thought OF .he
whole country approves the discs
Enlistment by President Wlson of
the old partnership between corrupt
politics and corrupt business we
i know that he and his co-laborers in
Congress have made the greatest rec
ord of constructive legislation in the
annals of the country, SO well dew
and so clearly in the interest Of The
whole people as to wiring from thei-
Ipolitical adversaries the tribute Of APP
proval as attested by the votes Of Re-
| publtcans and Prog.essives for the
i Tariff bill, the Currency Reform b il,
the antitrust bills and other Adm MS
tration measures: and above all W.
know that the country approves the
wise and brave and tactful foreign
policy of President Wilson who, with
I a firm hand and a calm soul, his. eyes
fixed on the polar star of Duty, is
guiding this great Republic Of ours,
with its hundred m. hon people,
amidst the dangers OF the create II
and most desolating war Of all til
ages, in the ways Of safety, anG homo.
and peace. Despite the abusive Gle
NOR of the j:ngoes he kept us out. Of
war with Mexico, and is steering us,
N like course of STREET neutrality
through the per;lous currents of
human passion now sweeping around
| the world from the awful catacly.sm
in the Eastern Hemis phere, We
know the country approves, but how
Shall we use, how shall we dare tc
use this knowledge as an excuse Tor
supineness ana inactivity
/ Let me warn my fellow Democrats
/ that it is. possible for our hopes e,to
4 be wrecked ON the rock of over-con-
/ fidence. And | appeal to them to
| stir up the wills and energies of theis
party comrades in every nook and
corner of the State. Definite and
practical steps should be taken to
get every Democrat in West Virg mia
to the polls: Our adversaries would
! be surprised and delighted If we did
less. Democratic over-confidence is
their best ally
Remember, the greatest war in his.
tory is convulsing over half the world
and continuing to spread from ma
ton to nation, and it is of incalcula
bic importance to ourselves and TO
our country that we uphold the hands
I of President Wilson who is wisely
steering our national destiny, throug I'll
innumerable perils and pitfalls, in the
ways of peace. Never was an Amer
can citizens vote more precious than
now, and never have Democrats mad
better reason to poll their whole vote.
In Thos. E. Hodges and his colleagues
in the several Districts we have candi-
dates for Congress, clean and able
men, who will stand by the President.
No Democrat should be idle in this
crisis, nor should we hesitate to in
patriotic men of all parties to give
President Wilson vote of conf
dence before the whole world.
We have great opportunity 70
$ our country. Let it not be
81 that we wastedit. Let it no be
s; when too late that we left I'M
don those things we ought to have
d. The hour is at hand for &c
tic vigorous, whole-hearted, manly
EFFORT. Democracy expects all her
sons to do their duty ~
A. S. JoHNsToN.
u