The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1916-09-29
TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED

One-hundred per cent Candidate
Hughes, Benedict Roosevelt O
the Progressive party, Law-Professo
Taft, and all the carping satellites
that revolve around them, are goini
up and down the country pratinl
about national honor, Notwithstanding
the fact that President Wilson's for
eign policy has not only maintained
with peace the dignity and honor Of
the nation, but the respect of all
other nations. The greatest disgrace
that could come to our country would
be the defeat of the present Demo-
cratic administration and Congress
implying as it would the discrediting
and reputation of all the wholesome
constructive reforms and beneficial
legislation that stand to their credit.
1t would be an expression of the peo-
pie that they wanted to return to the
old condition of the country under
Republican rule-special privileges to
the few and "the public be damned"
We do not believe the people desire
any such calamity, and yet we know
that old party ties and prejudices are
very hard to overcome.
Therein lies the greatest obstacle to
Democratic victory in this campaign.
1t is well known that neither the
Democratic nor the Republican party
may claim a sufficient number of sure
States to elect its national ticket and
Congress; that the close or doubt
full States will decide the cast of the
die. Colonel Roosevelt betrayed the
confidence of the Progressive party
and has done all in his power to force
his Progressive following back to the
support Of the reactonary wing of
the Republican party. 1t cannot be
questioned that many of them are
still blinded by his personality and
will follow where he leads, but the
best brains of the scattered Progress
sive party and its voters who think
for themselves and stand for true pro-
gress, are lining up for Mr.. Wilson.
The Democrats believe there are
enough of these in the doubtful States
to insure a substantial Democratic
victory.
But Democrats must not deceive
themselves with the thought that they
are not up against big fgth. The
old coddled and favored interests of
the Republican party are still strong,
and they will spare neither money,
deception, misrepresentation nor abuse
to mislead voters, and where they can
appeal to their cupidity, offers of
Some Democrats are so con-
fident that the splendid work accom-
plished i'll the past three and half
years by the Wilson administration
will carry everything before it, |
that they feel their cause is in
That is a good spirit with
which to go into battle, but it is wise
not to take anything for granted. The
enemy is as desperate as they are
and it is no rare thing to
see desperation beat down over-con-
idence. Much depends upon the out
,ome, and don't forget that victory
will require all the vigilance and work
hat Democrats can put into it. 1t is
expected that every Democrat and
every true Progressive will do his
luty-throughout the campaign and
at the polls in November.
Missouri has been placed by the po-
ltlcal forecasters among the doubtful
'tates. There is no good reason for
his, for Missouri is not only normally
nut naturally Democratic. 1t has once
II twice slipped cog, it is true, and
here is always danger that what has
happened once may happen again.
We do not see how it is possible for
to happen this year, with such
ecord, both in the State and Nation,
s the Democratic party has behind
:, and with splendid State ticket to
lad the fight; but here, too, it is wise
OF to take anything for granted. Let
very Democrat be alert, active, ear
est and ambitious for his State to
how IN with one of the biggest ma
rites in its history