Macon beacon., 1917-08-10

uuuer lIS present management, de
scend to the low plane of faction
al organ. 1t will, however, to the
best of its ability support the best
Democratic policies, feeling free
to criticise or commend, as the
case may be.
The most vital political issue be,
fore the people of this state in the
1ext campaign will be For Or
Against President Wilson! That
is becoming clearer every day.
Unfortunately we have in our
midst a few politicians-very few
hope-who are willing to make
political capital of the vital neces,
stiles of the nation.
| do not know that | would put
it quite so strongly as Mr.. r. f.
Cochran stated it in his communi
cation in yesterdays Dispatch
Fishing for votes with treason"-
but, after all, it's only a choice of
words. Mr.. Cochran believes, he
writes, that "Vardaman and his
little group of CO. conspirators
oug Mt to be shot as traitors to the
country" That certainly is put
ting it very strong.
WOULD NOT SHOOT VARDAMAN
| would not advocate shooting
Vardaman, but l do believe that
he ought to be retired to private
life. He has certainly outlived
his usefulness to this state, what
ever it may have been. He is not
looked upon as an effective factor
In Westinghouse out of sympathy
and out of harmony with Presi-
dent Wilson and everything Dem
ocratic.
There are vhose VINO, judging'by
Senator Vardaman's erstwhilepow.
er in this state, believe he will be
able to make a successful appeal
for reelection. But | do not be.
lieve this is possible.
I am not basing this opinion on
past history, but on present con,
ditions. In the first place, | have
full faith in the loyalty and patri-
otism of the people of the state.
There may be few who are luke
warm toward the war situation,
but not many. And, as the days
and weeks go by, and the people
generally become more more fully |
informed as to just what this war
means, there is going to be much
less t0leratiOn for man who, del
pgated to represent the people of a
Democratic state, refuses to stand
by a Democratic President, who
was so triumphantly reelected to
office, especially when this lack of
is tantamount to weaken
e the hands of the government
in the conduct of the war upon
whose successful issue depends not
,ply the welfare of the people of
The United States, but of the whole
world.
A QUESTION OF INFORMATION.
You know, it is said that the
red necks" have always been for
yardaman and will be for him
.gain-that he can sway them off
heir feet by play of words.
This is another thing | do not
,elieve. l do not believe the
country folk of Mississippi are es-
different from those in
'ther states. AS a class they are
,eople who give more serious con,
liberation to political questions
han the city dwellers. They have
nore time to devote to it, for one
hing. And when they come to
tnsider all the facts and circum-
. ices IN connection with Varda.
. So,,'s disaffection, it is going to
~ s'rn thousands of them from him.
The principal task in view is to
ct the right sort of inforTation
J, these people. to let them know
hat kind of a ruthless warfare !
ne Germans are wagihg; how the
,onor of women and the safety of {
hildren are ignored; how un-
peakable barbarities are inflicted J
pom prisoners, transgressing every Z
acknowledged principle of "civil-
zed warfare"