The log cabin Democrat., 1916-02-21
JUDGE LANKF0RD
OPPOSES MILITARISM
IN DECLINING TO RUN FOR
CONGRESS, JURIST EX-
PRESSES VIEWS.

While it has been understood for
some time that Judge Eugene Lark
ford, who formerly presided over the
Faulkner circuit court, would not be
candidate for congress, it is only
recently that he definitely announced
his declination to run. In a letter to
W. V. Goforth of the Quitman Times,
Judge Landlord states that he will
net run and takes the opportunity to
express his views of the question Of
military preparedness now agitating
the nation. Judge Landlords letter,
which is printed below, will be read
with interest by his friends here
| have delayed answering your let
ter of some time ago with many
others, for the reason that | was an
decided as to my race for congress.
| | cannot run now.
The main reasons are that my
health and lack of money will not
! permit.
l am sorry it is so, for feel there
is much that | could do and if there
ever was time when the people Of
| this nation should be on their guard
and looking after their interests, it
is now.
The people are not getting a
square deal. If | we're candidate
anw say that, you might question my
motives, but am not candidate for
anything, and yet l repeat the peo-
pie are not getting a square deal
Our laws are made, for the most
part, to suit big business and so
administered that if Il poor man az
propriate a pig to feed his hungry
| children he is thrown into prison at
once; while a "tinancier9 can do most
anything and the technicalities of the
| law protects him.
We have a great, rich nation, but
the men who produce the wealth do
not own and control it.
| Can we boast Of industrial and so
cial efficiency when one man in the
nation owns more money than five
millions of other people? when one
third of the people are in abjeet pov-
erty?-when one half o. the laborers
are living below the standard of de
cent subsistence when we are fast
becoming a nation of millionaires and
oaupers, landlords and tenants, poll
iticians and grafters? when the cor
)orations and trusts speculate in the
bodies and souls of the laborers who
make them rich, and profit in the
vice and DEGRADATION of those who
serve them?
Do you doubt these assertions? If
you have not seen it yourself, then
read the report of the Commission
on Industrial Relations" which is
not socialist sheet but an official
report of the United States.
The big daily papers are making
a great hullabalao about prepared
ness to meet some imaginary foe
from without, and yet they are silent
as to this monster OF greed and graft
that is now preying upon the vitals
of our beloved country.
All Americans believe in being pre-
pared for any necessary defense, but
these militarists and grafters are
taking advantage of the situation,
that's all; and are trying to put the
yoke of militarism and taxation upon
the people that they may rule and
get rich.
| The best preparedness for our
country, is a nation OF educated and
we'll treated citizens who win have
an interest in, and an enthusiasm for
our government.
| Some Of our patriotic (?) people
actually ridicule Ford and others who
are earnestly working for peace. II
they go about it in the wrong way
why not take hold and show them the
right wayl
| Eighteen months ago this nation
following the solemn proclamation o.
our president, went, down on its knees
TO Almighty God in prayer for peace
Why ridicule every effort of citizen
now For peace? Have we lost QUE
faith. Or is it a question Of pros
pcrity?
A great, rich nation means moth
ing to the poor laborer who tolls for
his master under the yoke Of ignol-
ance and taxes. and then dies in the
trenches because of a row in which
he had no voice.
may never run for any other Of
fee again, but the people of my dis
trict have been exceedingly good t.
me. They have never turned me
down when | called on them and
intend to stand by them in the future
and they may call upen me for adj
vice or service whenever | can give
either. Your friend,