The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-18
LOYAL MEN NEEDED.
"WAR TILL VICTORY" CANDT.
DATES MUST WIN.
Democrats and Republicans Nav Join
To Keep Questionable Characters
Out.

congress next November in an appeal
presented to congress today by a dele
cation representing the League for
National Unity. The two great no.
ltical parties are asked to join forces |
in doubtful districts to insure the
choice of congressman who will he |
answering in their support of the
government in the conduct of the
war.
In the party which received the
delegation were Representative Fer
ris of Oklahoma and Representative
Woods of Iowa, chairmen. respective
ly, of the Democratic and Republican
congressional committee; Represen-
tative Kitchin Of North Carolina,
Democratic floor leader in the house
and Representative Gillott of Massa-
chusetts, acting Republican leader.
The appeal says i'm part:
THE nation must be able to count
upon both parties nominating men at
the forthcoming congressional pri-
maries who are whole hearted and
unequivocal supporters of the war
aims of our government and it's pur-
pose to prosecute the war to a sue
cessful termination.
| In the interest of the nation we ask
for more if in any district it is likely
| that an anti-war candidate be sue
cessful it is the imperative duty of
the two leading parties to effect a
coalition against the nom American
or anti-American candidates in order
to make certain his defeat If in any
congressional or senatorial election
| there proves to be danger of election
| of disloyal candidates it will become
the duty of Americans, regardless of
party affiliations, to defeat such can
didates and to set loyalty to the ma
ton above personal loyalty to the
party
Let no party nominate or elect to
congress any candidate on a socalled
peace platform The American ma
ton under the leadership of the pres
ident of the United States, command
er in chief of the army and navy, is
for peace; but righteous peace and
enduring peace can not be secured
until America and the allied powers
snail have achieved victory over the
armies and governments of the CEN
tral powers, or their peoples, having
repudiated those who have been
| guilty of the crime of willingly initial
| ing and carrying on the war, shall.
IN the interest of just peace, have
recognized their right to control their
own industry"
In personal letter to Representa-
tive Woods, Elihu Root, one of the
'iSners of the appeal, wrote:
II do not believe that there is q
single congressional district which
has not a staunch loyal majority but
understand that there are proba ablv
from 20 to 80 districts in which there
ire enough pro-German and pacifists
md extreme Socialists votes to make
possible for disloyal candidate to
'e returned by plurality if the loyal
vote is divided pretty evenly between
ne Republican and Democratic can
1idates. Such men would do infinite
narm to our country in congress: their
election would bring aid and comfort
% the enemy. would dishearten all
loyal citizens. and would be discred-
table to both political parties.
| 'Of course parties must continue;
| heir organization must be maintain
'd and neither one ought to make the
patriotism of the other a means of
obtaining an advantage for the fu-
-ure, but If in any district there is the
east chance that disloyal man may
De sent to congress, then there is
only one issue in this district-that is
he issue of loyalty.
The practical and patriotic course
seems plainly to be for our two COM
mlttees to agree upon what districts
would be the least doubtful in q
,hree cornered fight and i'm such dis
-ricts where the Republicans seem to
nave the best prospect for votes urge
'he Democrats to get behind n loyal
republican candidate and in districts
where the Democrats seem to have
me best prospects for votes urge