The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1918-07-17
FATHER GIVES IN
CAUSE FREEDOM
Does Not Believe Boy Gave Life Be
cause of Interference With
Commerce.
From Yazoo Co. News

From Ya2oo Co. News:
That Mississippi fathers do no
whine nor crave for sympathy from
such as have opposed the entry of tht
United States in the war, even though
the struggle for freedom and justice
costs the lives of their sons, is showr
in letter written to Senator james
X. Vardaman by j. II. McDermitt, of
Collins, Miss. Mr. McDermit received
sad message from the War Depart
ment some days ago which apprised
him Of the death Of one Of his sons
who was lighting for Old Glory in
France.
Senator Vardaman, it is reported
sent letter OF sympathy to the af-
flicted parent. He iikeswise sent some
of his campaign literature to Mr. Nc
Delmit, with the request that he dis
tribute it in the interest Of the Sen
atOr who is a cand date for re-elec-
ton.
No doubt the Senator, who has
gained an unenviab.e position in the
minds of the American people for
his opposition to the war and his per-
sistent attacks on the administration,
thought that he would find ready
friend in Mr.. McDermit, whom the
war had cost the loss Of one of his
sons, Mr. McDermit was formerly a
warm supporter of Senator Varda-
man.
But the Senator seems to have pc
culiar conception of the patriotism Of
the American people. Instead Of re-
ceiving a letter from Mr.. McDermit,
in which he cursed the war that cost
him so dearly, Senator Vardaman re
ceived the most singing rebuke of his
career. Mr.. McDermit in his letter,
points out that he is in hearty accord
with the war, that he believes his son
has died in d holy cause and that he
reioices in his sorrow in the glad
knowledge that his boy has not shed
his blood in vain.
Mr.. McDermit scorns the attempt
of Senator Vardaman to enlist his
support
Text of Letter.
Collins, Miss, June 27, 1918.
Hon Jas. K. Vardaman,
United States Senator,
Washington, D. c.
My Dear Senator:
Your bundle of campaign literature
with the request that ! busy myself in
same, received. No, Sena-
tor, cannot comply with your re-
quest. | am a patriotic citizen and
love my country, and | do not feel
that | could assist you in your assault
against the President Of the United
States and the interest of the Govern
ment by distributing this literature.
You and | do not agree in the course
YOU have pursued during your term
of office in the Senate.
You say boldly that you have no
apologies to make for your
course; that if it were all to do
over again you would do just as
yOu have done. ] take it that this
means that you would filibuster
and vote with the republicans and
a few puny DemOcrats-"lhe
willful twelve"-tO defeat the
Ship Purchase BIZ, and thereby
pauperize the farmers of the
South by forcing them to take
cents for cotton in the year 1914,
as they had no cOnveyances IN
which to convey it to the markets
of the world.
After Germany, the lurking assas-
sin of the sea, had submarlned, as
sailed and killed number of Amer
lean citizens on the high seas, ana
trampled under foot our rights under
laws of both God and man, you voted
against arming American ships Tor
self lf-protection; after a great many |
American citizens had been ruthlessly
slain. and after the American flag had
heen assaulted on the high seas, you
voted against the declaration of war
,he purpose Of this declaration being to
yindicate American rights and to up !
hold the laws of all civilized nations.
After War Opposition.
Yes. Senator, even after war was
declared, and it became necessary 10
have an army to protect the rights
Of the American people you Fo1ea
AGAINST the Selective Draft, and SAID
that the boys who were selected to
defend their country made you think |
nf convicts. Indeed, four months az !
ter we were fighting for the freedom
of America and the whole world you
were interviewed, and you said:
''Then again it was proposed II
we did not fight Germany now
stab her in the back while Eng
land and France have her down
that we would have to fight her
alone. and other excuses or caus'
es, imaginary and real, for war
we're assigned. Now, personally
| think the cause of this war was
the interference on the part oil
Germany with commerce between I
New York and London have