The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1918-06-28

bold headlines now. 1t was under the
same obligation to serve the public
then that 1t rests under now. If that
telegram disQualifies me now it dis
qualified me then. But, instead OF de-
nouncing me as impossible as it
does now, 1t carried favorable edi-
torial comment upon my appointment.
Why the sudden change of front? The
answer is plain. The repertorial and
editorial columns did not at that time
speak responsive to the campaign
management that follows hot upon
this reprint with the impudent and
insolent request that withdraw from
the race. And, further, the Star knew
then and knows now that my record of
loyalty to the President and to the
country was unimpeachable by fair
and honest means. The Star knew
then and knows now that to question
my Americanism because of that tele-
gram was dishonest and unfair.
What is that telegram? 1t was ad-
dressed to the President, whom l had
followed from the time of his first
nomination through the campaign of
1912, supporting him upon the plat.
form and at the polls; during the four
years Of his first term and in the cam
paign of 1916 supporting him again
upon the stump and at the polls. l
supported the President whsns at the
outbreak of the European war, he
counseled OF the American people the
strictest neutrality. l supported him
when he demanded Of the belligerents
that they respect the rights Of Ameri-
can citizens. supported him at those
critical times when with unequaled
patience he labored to keep the United
States out Of the conflict and at those
times when he sought for the United
States peace with honor and respect
for American, rights. W. q : s,,,
T suppottedthe President when he
demanded Of Congress the passage OF
the armed-ship bill, and had ! been in
the Senate at that time would have
voted for the bill. stood with him
whe1 he demanded the defeat of the
McLemore resolution, and had I been
in the Congress at this time would
have voted against that resolution. I
was with him when, early In 1917, he
asked the belligerent nations to state
their peace terms with o. view Of
bringing AM end to the conflict, and.
finally. when he called upon Congress
for the declaration of war against
Germany, and had been in the Unit.
ed States Senate at that time / would
have voted for the declaration OF war.
"S4nce the declaration, both as Unit
cd States Senator and as private cit.
ixen, have continued to stand BY the
President and have given the utmost
tn the support 81 ihisN administration
and Of the measures he has advocated.
I acknowledge that afhoped We might
maintain peace with honor, and I
wouid deem myself untrue to Amer
ica's best traditions and best ideals IL
did not. make no apologies for my
confidence in'both the loyalty and wis
dom of our. President. and, having
faith in him and at the time hoping
that way might have been found in
honor to avoid war, on the Sth Of
March, 1917, expressed to the Presi-
dent my faith in him and my hopes
for the preservation Of an honorable
and Just peace.
sit is true that at that time the war
clouds were gathering, but II it is I'M
American to hope even amid. the gath
ering war clouds that an infinite and
all-wise God might point Sthe way 70