The St. Joseph observer. [volume] (St. Joseph, Mo.) 1906-1932, 1918-05-25

that campaign I was not able to visit
more than one-half of the precincts
in the district. and In view of the
showing made, Il was generally con-
ceded that under normal conditions,
| would have but little difficulty In
securing the nomination in 1918. 1t
was my purpose to be a candidate In
the coming primary. but unless there
is radical change in conditions. 1
will not enter the contest this year.
shall, however. be a candidate in
1920.
For months many friends all over
the district have urged me to begin
an active campaign for the nomina-
tlon. have deferred making a public
declaration of my intentions because
of war conditions, having entertained
faint hope that, by some fortuitous
events. the war might possibly be
brought TO an early conclusion. which
would Justify a renewal Of political
activities My friends throughout the
district are entitled to know the
reasons that restrain me from enter
ing the coming congressional primary.
When the war came on / ceased my
| political activities and determined to
do everything possible TO aid the
to give my time ungrudgingly. and to
forego my business and professional
plans and to sacrifice my political
ambitions. II they might in any man.
ner or in any degree prevent me from
doing my whole duty to my country.
| Since the declaration OF war, l have
given comparatively little time to my
personal affairs and practically no
attention to politics. 1 have subord-
| mated every personal ambition and
private interest In order to give to the
Government all possible service. The
greater portion OF my time has been
given to promote the success OF the
Selective Service Law. the American
Red Cross Society. the Y. NJ. c. A.,
Liberty Loans and Thrift Stamps
campaigns, and other activities hav-
ing for their object the winning of the
war.
an this national emergency I am
unwilling to mix politics and patrio-
tism. While America is passing
through a crisis that will largely
shape the destiny, not only OF our
nation, but Of the world. will spend
no time in a scramble for office. 80
long as the present national emergen-
cy exists. all of my time, energy and
ability belongs to the Government.
Must Not Divert Public Mind
political activities and campaign
ing will have a tendency to divert the
public mind from the more important
problem, the winning of the war. The
flower Of American manhood is going
to the battle front to make the sup
RENE sacrifice. Soon the daily casu-
atty list will bring sorrow 10 nearly
every community and touch and thrill
the heart-strings Of the nation. The
Administration Is bending every
energy to win the war. As the war
progresses, the demands Of the Gov
ernment on our time, energies and
purses will necessarily Increase. and
until our vast resources are modified
and become effective, the public will
not tolerate either business or political
profiteering. An active political con-
test will detraot public attention from
war activities and produce a state OF
public mind that will prevent united
and whole-hearted support OF the
Government. When the great mass OF
people are thinking of nothing but
the war, and aiding the government 4,
lgppermost in the mind Of every oiti-
zen, q fierce political or partisan con-
test Will lead people away from war
activities and in a measure impair ths
efficiency and whole-hearted support
which they would otherwise give &c
me Government. The time and
energy spent by candidates and their
friends in conducting a campaign
can. II seems 70 me be better employ
ed by every man actively and con.
tinuousiy supporting the President
: and devotiug his energies in aid OF