The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-24
SCOTT EXPLAINS CASE
Candidate for Congress Answers Cir
cular on Patriotism.

The following two letters explain
the Charles Scott attitude toward the
war:
Topeka, Kansas.
Mr.. Chas F. Scott, lola. Kansas.
circular signed by three or four gentlemen
editorials from your newspaper and accus-
ing you of disioyalty. This circular has
know, in the first place, that the articles
in your paper represented the sentiment of
a great majority of the people Of Kansas
in the second place, l know you too well
to doubt for a moment your complete and
Ta have tha
and whether you have made any public
reply to it. Your truly,
Mr.. scotts Answer.
lola, Kansas,
June ~ 1918.
Hon. A W. Smith, Topeka, Kansas.
Ny Dear Col. Smith: OF course, 1 have
seen the circular to which you refer but
had not thought that 1t called for any COM
ment, certainly not for any reply further
story that appeared in the Kansas City Star
several weeks ago and the answer which
made at that time covers the case now.
this circular were published in the Register
two years before We got into the war, were
out of the war and represented, have no
doubt, the sentiment Of at least 5000 of the
people of Kansas at that time. The editor
ials were not hidden at the time they were
written. They appeared conspicuously in
my newspaper and the sentiment expressed
vok s d no criticism whatever. They have
been gathered up now, of course, for a
purely political purpose. The men who
| signed this new circular, as matter of
| fact. are not in the least disturbed or con-
cerned about my loyalty. There isn't one of
| them who would declare under oath that
I hnIi nynd I mo
| them holds that belief then 1t is his duty
as a loyal American himself, to bring the
| matter to the attention of the federal au-
/ thorities and have me interned for the dura-
ton of the war. Failing to do that they con-
| fess, either that they. do not believe the
accusation they have brought against me,
| or that they are themselves falling short of
| their duty to their country. They cannot
even claim that their activity in this mat
| ter is prompted by a sincere and dfsin-
| tcrested motive for l happen to know that
they are not doing the work at their own
the mRng list aHd the Postage
have all be supplied by a person outside OF
Wellington, whose name I can give if neces-
| essary.
So the whole thing, as I said before, is
| just politics of the common or garden varie-
Candidates for the same office TO Which
aspire, a candidate who obviously is so dis
trustful of his own personal merit or of his
claims upon the Republican party, that he
realizes his only hope to win is by pulling
me down.
| Those who know me, as you suggest, Will
not be disturbed by this circular, but fol-
the information of those who do not know
| me and who might inquire of you In re-
gard to the matter, it may not be amiss fol
Inc to say specifically that 1 am not pro
German; that 1 never in my life wrote oil
spoke sentence which could be construed
| as even remotely limiting that had
preference for Germany over the United
States, that from the moment we entered
! the war 1 have taken the position in my
newspaper and in more than $50 speeches
that the war must be fought thru to al
absolute unconditional German surrender
that Germany must not be allowed to hold
Il foot of the tSrritory she has conquered
nor be left In condition when the war Ii
over. ever again to defy the conscience OF
disturb the peace of the world. The only
son of military age that 1 have, is nov
ment, fighting to make good the position
which l have taken and which all my
friends know I will unalterably maintair
One of the big reasons why want to go t.
the senate is that may be in a position t.
help see to it that there shall not be mad,
a weak and inconclusive peace which would
render vain the sacrifice which my son ant
| the millions of other American boys wht
are his comrades have made, or may We
make, in the fight they are waging FOL
world freedom.
L have such a measureless contempt fol
the sort of politics illustrated by this cir
cular and have so much confidence in tn,
love of fair play and in the common sens
tended to make any public reference to thi
assault, but since you have asked me abou
it, you have my answer. Very truly yours,
CHAS r SCOTT