Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1918-08-03
A DIGNIFIED REPLY FROM COLONEL
WATSON.

WATSON.
No man can read Colonel Watson's appeal ITO
the Democratic Voters of West Virginia. print
ed elsewhere in this paper today without feel
ing that here is the man whom West Virginia
wants to represent her in the United States
Senate for the next few years of war, and re-
construction after the war.
We earnestly advise our readers to study
well what Colonel Watson has to say. His
statement is dignified, absolutely without preju-
dice or spite, asking no favors other than those
TO which any honorable man is entitled. 1t is
Just such statement as one might expect from
d man who believes in doing and not talking.
One of the most laudable things about Col
one Watson is the fact that he is man of few
words He is busy man, and he has no time
for useless small talk. He is not always and
forever seeking an audience; but on the con-
trary he is plugging away, doing his level best
to help the United States win the war. A Mar
tinsburg Democrat asked the writer the other
day if he had ever met Colonel Watson and in
timated that one would be disappointed with
the ColonePs apparent lack of warmth. Such a
man deserves more support than the obsequious
type of man who is always trying to placate
everybody with the hope of securing votes.
Personally we like man who takes the attitude
of not caring particularly whether he gets the
nomination. the world is large and there is
something for such a man to do if he doesn't
get elected. Let the office seek the man, once
in while; unless the man be fit for his posi-
ton, he will not be sought as a candidate.
As Colonel Watson says, he has written little
for publication concerning his candidacy, pre-
ferring Il leave it to his friends. But he feels,
and we agree with him, that he cannot remain
silent in the face of such political move as
that recently taken by Mr.. Chilton-publishing
a letter from the President of the United States
that obviously never was intended for pubca-
ton. It was tactless mistake on the part of
Mr.. Chiffon which cannot but rebound to the
benefit of Colonel Watson. The President in
sisted that he did not care to take sides in the
fight Furthermore, his letter does not state
BADLY that he would support Mr.. Chiffon if he
did take sides By publishing the letter pub
bcly or privately, Mr.. Chiffon is seeking to put
the President in the position of doing what the
President says he cannot do-take part in this
contest for the nomination. The whole thing is
decidedly bad ethics and shows very poor judg-
ment the part Of Mr.. Chiffon.
Colonel Watson closes his letter splendidy
He says simply that he is supporting the Presi-
dent now and will continue to do so in the flu
ture without embarrassing the President by
dragging him into a political contest which the
President is anxious to avoid
We believe this incident viii do more toward
electing Colonel Watson to the Democratic
ticket than any other one thing which has hap
pened thus far in the campaign. People are mo-
looking for political controversy for the mere
1un that they can get out of it; they are too
busy with the serious aspects of the war tt
seek the ludicrous and humorous. The voters
are thinking; they want to elect man who viii
help to bring this teri rbe world struggle to
close and bring back the dear ones again II
such people Colonel Watson is making stronY
appeal for he is the embodiment of determine,
Amercanism as it is best exemplified today
Undoubtedly he best meets the demands of tn
day and he will bring honor to West Virgins
# he is elected.