The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1918-07-05
APoLiTIcs is ADJuoRNED."

APoLiTics Is ADJOURNED"
,is Newspapers supporting Senator
shields are making themselves quite
,redicnlous by crying in one column
that politics is adjourned" and in
fhe aother three or four columns OF
their editorial pages printing eulogies
Of Senator Shields, who 10 a candidate
Tor reelection, at the same time
pouring out their Walls Of wrath upon
the head of one whose only offense
is an ambition to represent the peo-
sple OF Tennessee in the worlds most
august legislative assembly"
VI 1t il all very well to adjourn poll
ticso although President Wilson never
meant the construction that for parti-
san purposes these papers place on
his language. The Herald has de-
voted less space to political discus
sion than any daily newspaper in Ten
hessee, with possibly one exception
during the past year. 1t has had lit
stis heart for politics or politicians. 1t
has too much involved in the struggle
across the seas. 1t thinks, breathes
Ind has its being in this war. 1t cares
but little for the ambitions of any
man. ) It wants to do its whole part
to save civilization. 1t would not be
30 partisan as to make that great
cause the instrument through which
any man could secure political ad-
vantage.
SO far as this paper is concerned
,epolitics is adjourned" except as It
deems 1t public duty to counsel with
the people of democracy as to the
course that it believes they should
pursue. Elections, under our form OF
government, are necessary. They can
not be adjourned" without doing yio-
lence to the principles for which men
are dying in this war. In other words
we are fighting to perpetuate repre-
sentative government, to preserve jus.
tice and liberty through the orderly
processes OF the law. Lawmakers and
law administrators must be elected
this year. i.ff
This sis a free country. Any quail
fled and, eligible citizen has right to
run for governor or senator. All de
string to do SO can submit their candi-
Mcies to the tribunal of the people
and at the same time be absolutely
loyal to the nation. No man has or
should have divine right to the sen
aforship or: the governorship in this
Or any other state Organs Of the
senior senator have perfect right TO
support him. They have many strong
arguments to advance in his behalf,
but they ought to be fair and honest.
II they believe the construction OF the
presidents famous phrase that they
would have their opponents believe,
fet them be consistent, II they
ere sincere in their propaganda
that it is disloyal and unpatri.
6tic I'd discuss political issues and po-
litical candidates at this time they
should be honest and consistent and
abstain from doing SO. 1t is just as
unpatriotic to fill ones columns with
appeals for the election of one can,
didate as it is to fill ones columns
with arguments in behalf OF another
candidate, and particularly is that
true where no issue Of loyalty is made
against the candidate in disfavor.
The Herald has no objection to pa
pers that care for that sort OF thing
at this time, discussing political issues
and candidates. They have perfect
right to express choice. But it does
believe in fairness and consistency
The effort to make it appear that one
candidate has a better right to appeal
to the people for support in this crisis
Of the nation than another equally as
loyal is unfair and dishonest. This
pepper is disinterested onlOOker IN
the senatorial contest Frankly il
knows that SO far as the progress of
the war is concerned, so far as its
effect upon the future destiny OF this
nation, 80 far as the fate Of civiliza
tion Ia involved it does not matter o
baubee what the result of the demo
cratic primary for United States sen
ator may be. Every really fair and
frank newspaper knows the same
thing.
4 The result in Tennessee of that con
test win not have the slightest effect
upon the conduct of the war or the
settlement OF problems growing on
OF the war In the congress Of the
United States Viewing the situation
purely as an American and unbiased
by any party preference The Herald
does not mind confessing that the in
terests OF this nation and Of civiliza
ton would not suffer the slightest jal
n the Nominee of the democratic party