The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1917-19??, 1917-08-16
A MEAN ATTACK

/
its effort to conduct the war in a
business-like manner. His vote. i, is
said, will decide the matter of wheth-
er the war committee provision of the
food control bill is to be retained in
the Senate over the protest Of Presi-
dent Wilson. 1t is rumored that Sen
ators Vardaman, Reed, Hardwick,
Gore, Kirby and Owen are pledged to
the anti-administration plan but the
attitude of the Tennessee senator is
in doubt.
This was a characteristic thrust of
a poisoned stiletto, but it did no harm.
Senator Shields record is an armor
too thick to be punctured by such
malignant assaults. Nothing the Sen
ator has done gave basis for this at
tack; it was founded on the anticipa-
ton Of what he might do. And then
there would be nothing necessarily
harmful in what is charged if the act
had been already committed 1t is
| entirely possible for good Americans
and good patriots to oppose the adj
ministration plan.
| There have been some marked in
stances lately where prOfessed pa
triots through pure malevolence sought
to impugn the loyalty of men against
| whom they harbored personal or pOlit-
zeal i'll will. This sort are mostly of
! the pOthouse politician class, who car
ry their scurvy habit into everything
they touch and would traffic in the
countrys welfare to gain point in
! politics or to injure a man they bore
grudge.
This editorial in Wednesdays Ten
nessean and American was a fair
| specimen of that sort of malevOlent
procedure. Iago-like in its insinu-
atoms, base in spirit and dishonest in
purpose.
1t is not possible for the controlling
genius of the Tennessean and Amer
lean to make anyone believe that Sem
atOr Shields is in any respect untrue
to the country, or that he would do
anything to hinder or impede such
conduct of the war as would be to
the country's best advantage.
All who have talked with Senator
Shields since the crisis arose that
brought the United States into the war
know that he has stood firmly forthe
maintenance of the national honor,
that he accorded with the adminlatra-
ton in all that was done looking to
the declaration of war. He has voted
for all measures designed for its
prosecution. His record in the Senate
is entirely clear on these points, and
no gulleful insinuations or suggested
calumny can make it appear other
wise.
The article in the Tennessean and
American was written possibly with
the purpose of being able to say that
the paper had whipped the Senator
into line of patriotic duty if his vote
should be contrary to what was
herein minated, and to make basis
for further attack if it should be that
way.
1t is safe to say that Senator
Shields action would not be influ-
enced one way or the other by any
hing that would come from this ma
lignant and impotent source.
The Banner does not wish to appear
as spokesman for Senator Shields. 1t
has no sort of authority or license to
do so. 1t has not agreed with him al
gays> and may not agree with him in
the future, but it despises this effort
IF a political swashbuckler, pirate and
pseudo patriot to impugn without
warrant his loyalty.
The Banner, speaking for itself only
md possibly disagreeing with Senator
Shields certainly without knowledge
lf how he may stand, sees no reason
.yhv this matter of food control might
lot be properly given to three rather
han to one man, or why congress
ional committee might mot share in
the supervision. 1t is. a matter OF
concern in which the pub
is interest is largely involved, and
while all reasonable dispatch and firm
lealing are required, it may be too
Extensive a power to give to one man.
There has been too much disposition
o hector and drive men who stand for
he old-time democratic principles1
hat have always obtained in TINS
country and were not willing to sur
.ender too much on the ground OF war
The Banner hopes to see all possible
Efficiency in the conduct of the war;
recognizes the danger of delay ana
he necessity for firm action, but in a
natter so vast, so all-prevading, SO
lose to the popular interest, so strong
v affecting both trade and industry
nd SO varied in it's effect on differ
MT interests and different classes, as y
,,;r mottar of food control, and the