Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1915-07-09
Poll lcAl
A6ITAT0Rs
POLITICIANS WHO CAPITALIZE
STRIFE A MENACE TO
GOVERNMENT.
Nealeet Of Agricultural and industrial
Opportunities q National Crime.
BY Peter Radford.

There never was q time in the his
statesmen more or agitators less than
at the present moment. The oppor-
tunities now afforded US on land and
sea demand the best there is in state
craft and the possibilities that are con-
fronting US call for national issues
that unite the people. build industry
and expand trade. The agricultural
and Industrial development Of this
nation has suffered severely at the
hands of agitators who have sent
torpedoes crashing into the port side
Of business and whose neglect Of the
interests of the farmer makes them
little less than political criminals. We
want no more Of these evil spirits to
predominant In government. Too long
their hysterical cry has sent = shiver
Too long have the political agitators
capitalized strife, pillaged progress
and murdered opportunity. An indus
trial corpse is not desirable thing,
q crippled business an achievement or
neglect an accomplishment about
which any representative OF the gov
eminent has right to boast.
Issues that Breed AsItators Should be
Eliminated.
The political agitator must be elm
mated from public life before thought
full consideration can be given to
constructive program in government.
The liquor question is the most pro-
life breeding ground for agitators and
whether pro or anti. the hatch is
equally as undesirable. This article
;1s in no sense a discussion of the IL
lQuof question but deals solely and by
way of illustration with the political
products Of that issue. Other sub
Ijects will be dealt with in the order
of their importance.
In the history of our government
1.-THE liquor issue has never produced
10 constructive statesman worth men
ittoning and it never will 1t has sent
more freaks to Congress, Llliputians
TO the Senate and incompetents to
toface than any other political issue
undsr the sun.
The recent experience Of the Eng
hsh Parliament which dashed itself
Unto fury over the liquor question
has lesson that II Is well for the
farmers Of this nation to observe; for
the subject in some form or other is
leomtantly before the public for solu-
ltton and Outlines to the exclusion OF
more important problems to the Amer
dcan plowmen.
Too Many Political Drunkards.
Lloyd-George, the Prohibition leader
lof Europe who led the prohibition fight
i'm England, has declared that he will
never again take a drink politically
and there are many American politi-
cians-pro and anti-who would render
their country q service by climbing
ION the water wagon or signing pledge
lof political temperance. Too often
our legislative halls are turned into
political bar-rooms and many Of the
members become intoxicated on liquor
discussions. We have too many polit-
heal drunkards-proa and anti-in our
public affairs. No one who is q slave
to the political liquor habit il quite
|so capable Of dealing with the bust
ness affairs Of government as ths
lsober and industrious. We have few
public men In this day who are strong
enough to resist the temptation OF
Istrong drink politically and when the
demon Rum once becomes firmly en-
ltrenched in the mind Of q politician,
he is less capable OF meeting the de-
rmands for constructive craftsmanship
now confronting this nation.
We have In this country too many
red-nosed politicians-both pro and
anti. A candidate with political deli
1ium tremens, q preacher with politi.
cal snakes in his boots and an agitator
drunk on the liquor question are the
lDaddest sights in civilization and they
should all be forced to take the polit-
seal Kelley Cure.
1t 10 far more important in govern
iment to make it easier for those who
toll to eat than to make 1t more DIFF
E1cult for . few topers to drink. There
- not one person In one hundred OF
Jour rural population that ever touches
liquor but We all eat three TINES a
DAY.