Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1914-10-27
A Warning.
Editor 81 Spirit Of IeffsIson.

Editor OF spirit OF JEFFERSON.
Allow me to warn the Democrats
of West Virginia against a peril that
is very real and very extensive, and
that is the peril of over-confidence
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 stop to
effort. And it will put stop to
Democratic victory if the party does
not wake from its pipe-dream OF
triumph ION 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 victory anyhow,
and it's Heavens own truth that if
we don't work for it we are certainly
not likely to get it.
No party was ever summoned to the
polls with better cause for enthusiasm
on the part of its members than the
Democratic party is now. Yes, we
know that the best thought OF The
whole country approves the discs
Establishment by President Wilson OF
the old partnership between corrupt
politics and corrupt business; we
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 devised
and so clearly in the interest OF the
whole people as to wiring from Their
political adverSaries the tribute of ap-
proval as attested by .the votes of Re
publ;cans and Progressives for thC
Tariff bill, the Currency Reform bill
the antitrust bills and other Admins
tration measures and above all W,
know that the country approves tat
wise and brave and tactful foreign
policy of President Wilson who, witt
a firm hand and a calm soul, his eye.
fixed on the polar star OF Duty, j:
guiding this great Republic of ours
with its hundred million people
amidst. the dangers of the creates
and most desolating war of all tht
ages, in the ways of safety, and homo
and peace. Despite the abusive cla
NOR of the jingoes he kept us out o.
war with Mexico, and is steering US
in like course of strict neutrality
through the perilous currents o.
human passion now sweeping arounC
the world from the awful cataclyisn
in the, Eastern Hemisphere. W.
know the country approves, but how
shall we use, how shall we dare tc
use this knowledge as an excuse fol
supineness and Inactivity
Let me warn my fellow Democrat.
that it is possible for our hopes tt
be wrecked ON the rock of over-con
stir up the wills and energies of thei
/ a.-txr Il l.
corner of the State. Definite anC
practical steps should be taken tC
get every Democrat in West Virginia
to the polls. Our adversaries wouic
be surprised and delighted if we die
less. Democratic over-confidence i!
their best ally.
Remember, the greatest war in his
tory is convulsing over half the worl6
and continuing to spread from ma
ton TO nation, and it is of incalcula
! BILE importance to ourselves and &c
our country that we uphold the hands
| of President Wilson who is w.sell
steering our national destiny, through
innumerable perils and pitfalls, in the
ways of peace. Never was an Ameri-
| can citizens vote more precious thar
now, and never have Democrats mad
| better reason 10 Doll 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 a vote of conf
dence before the whole world.
We have great opportunity 60
serve our country. Let it not be
sad that we wasted it. Let it no be
said when too late that we left I'M
done those things we ought to have
done. The hour is at hand for &C
ton, vigorous, whole-hearted, manly
effort. Democracy expects all her
sons to do their duty.
A, S. JOHNSTON,