The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1918-07-22
10 the Republican Party of the First
Congressional District;

Congressional District:
Until recently / had entertained no
intention Of discussing politics in it's
relation 10 the present contest for the
Republican nomination for Congress
in this district. While my record has
been unjustly and viciously assailed, !
have refrained from comment, believ-
ing that the rank and file of the peo-
pie understood the situation suffi-
GENTLY 10 enable them to render an
intelligent verduct without explana-
ton or defense on my part. Within
the past few days, however, my oppo-
nent has seen fit to publish circular
entitled: "Only Patriotic Congress
men Wanted" and which, presume,
he has widely circulated throughout
the district. His Misrepresentation
heretofore published have not been
noticed-but when my loyalty to my
country is impugned, feel assured
that d sense Of fair play viii justify
me IN the minds of the people in max
ing reply.
Supported Administration.
Judge Harmon fails to disclose in
what manner have ben dislayal. Out
side Of my refusal to vote for the
draft act, he makes reference to no
war measures that opposed. AS a
matter of fact, ! have unfalteringly
supported oil war legislation, some
times against my judgment, that was
recommended by the President as nec-
essary for the conduct Of the war.
From the time war was declared up
until May 18th, when began to make
visits to my district periodically to
try to give The people my views on
its progress, / had failed to vote on
only four war measures Of any conse-
quence, and these were passed with
out opposition.
Judge Harmon has arrogated to
himself all patriotism. His speeches
in which he recites what he has done,
bear testimony to the importance Of
himself in relation to war activities.
Talk Will Not Win War.
But talk is cheap, AID it will not
win this war. Boosting will not win
ii. Otherwise Judge Harmon would
have put the Hun out of business long
ago. And while no one expects him
now to 70 to the front, there was a
time when his services would have
been acceptable. President Mckinley
in 1898 called for volunteers 10 ex-
pei from the western hemisphere the
last vestige of desp0tic race. Judge
Harmon was at that time about 20
years old and Thousands
Of men Of that age periodically re-
sp0nded. | would like for him to ex-
plain why he did not 60. And having
failed TO answer when an opportunity
was offered, would like further for
him to explain by what right he at
tempt To cast aspersions upon the
patriotism Of one who did go, not as
an officer having commission, but
ais a private in5the ranks. and humbly
ready to 20 where duty directed. And
! am claiming no credit, nor am / try
ing 70 politically capitalize Che serv-
ices rendered. ! merely set them up
I'm defense against the instructions of
Harmon whose war record is conspi-
cu0us by it's absence, whose battles
have been bloodless, and the proof Of
whose patriotism is found not in what
he has done, but only in what he
says.
Judge Harmon refers to certain
votes which I have cast against al
legged war measures. He ennumerates
three as follows: The armor plant,
the merchant marine and the nitrate
plant bills. All of these measures
were enacted into law long before this
country entered the war, and in vot-
ing against them ! stood with the
overwhelming majority of my party
iii Congress, and in support Of the
principles and politics guiding il
since its formation.
He charges ! ncircular No. 8 that
voted against the draft, whereas in
circular No. 2 he charged that voted
for it AS d matter Of fact voted
against it in response not only to any
own convictions, but also to what
conceived to be the overwhelming
sentiment and wishes Of the constit-
uencv that / represent. Seven Of the
ten Congressman from Tennessee, re.
spending to the traditions which have
given us the name of "The Volunteer
State" voted against this bill and
have not heard that their love OF
country has been impugned thereby.
Does Harmon Appeal for Stacker
Votes?
he says that ! voted for the war. Is
fhig an appeal to the Stacker votes
n Ia. he can have IL, and welcome.
was for a declaration of war ling be-
FORE Il. came. announced to the people
n speeches that I made during the
campaign Of 1915 that our rights
were being violated, our Installations
threatened, our very system OF gov
eminent challenged, an dthat war was
inevitable If this heritage was to be
preserved.
re- saws that / made no speeches
fnr the various Liberty Loans, Red
Cross and Y. M. G. A. drives. did
mot. was in Washington looking al
ter .he business Of my constituents
And remained there until virtually al
var measures were disposed Of, com.
inc only to my district to make a few
war speeches In response to the ex,
pressed desire Of the President thai
al members Of Congress should do SO
when possible. And while ! made nc
sneeehes. Is Harmon alleges, l have
contributed IS far as my means would
nernit 10 every one of these cam.
naiens. And while would have con.
tenut for myself II, being able, had
net done Sc. and supreme contempt
II. for political reasons, ! had boosted
Of what I had done.
Ne states that I voted against q