Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1918-07-18
OF HERO
. DENOUNCES SEN.
| JAS. K. vARDAMAN
J. H. McDermit, of Collins,
Miss, Scores Attempt of
I Senator Vardaman to
:, Enlist His Support
SON BURIED ON FRENCH SOIL
From Collins Commercially
Collins, Miss, June 27, 1918.
Hon Jas. X. Vardaman,
limited States Senator

4 H0n- Jas. X. Vardaman,
United States Senator,
Washington, d. c.
h Ny Dear Senator.
Il Your bundle of campaign literature,
with the request that busy myself in
circulating the same, received. No,
Senator, cannot comply with your re.
guest l am patriotic citizen and
4 love my country, and l do not feel that
I 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 l do not agree in the coufse
you have pursued during your term 1T
service in the Senate
You say boldly that you have no
apologies to make for your course;
that II II were all to do over again you
would do just as you have done.
take Il that this means that you would
again fiIibuster and vote with the Re-
publicans and few puny Democrats
-"the wIIlful twelve"-to defeat the
RShip Purchase Bill, and thereby pau
peFixe the farmers of the south by
forcinq them to take 6 cents for cotton
In the year 1914, as they had no con-
weyanees In which to convey II to the
ruaritets Of tho world.
After Germany, the lurking assassin
pf the sea, had summarized, assailed
and killed number of American citi-
Vens on the high seas, and trampled
ander foot our rights, under the laws
ggainst arming American ships for
self-protection; after a great many
american citizens had been ruthlessly
lain, and after the American flag had
,cen assaulted on the high seas, you
foted against the declaration of war,
he purpose Of this declaration being
10 vindicate American rights and TO
uphold the laws of all civilized nations.
Yes, Senator, even after war was de-
lared, and 1t became necessary to
have an army to protect the rights of
he American people, you voted
gainst the Selective Draft, and said
hat the boys who were selected to de-
end their country made you think OF
&onvicts. Indeed, four months after
Far was declared, and after we were
lighting for the freedom of America.
Ind the world, you were interviewed,
md you said:
"Then again Il was proposed II we
i'd not fight Germany now-stab her
the back while England and France
lave her down-that we would have
b fight her alone, and other excuses
causes, imaginary and real, for war
IRE assigned. Tow, pa"c -na!iy,
,:nh the cause Of this war wss the
hserference on the part CT Germany
ith commerce between New York
lad London. | have always thought
vas purely a matter Of peeuniary
oft and I think so still but ! haVe
objection to discussion. II the sub
arine warfare had not interfered
ith business and profits there would,
h my judgment, probably have been
war"
H3Really, Senator, did this interview
MDIG6S yOuI lCCllA6oi AOO 6NJ ~"
"a would not change your course
lot an i,' or cross 't,'"-if it were
TO do over again. Are you really
riOus in this?
You also stated in letter that Pres
mt Wilson had Summarized the pro
ition ship, and sent her to the bot
a of the sea. This do not believe
heed, you have done and said many
ngs that lead me to believe that you
not in sympathy with the great
niority Of American people. l b.
re. so far as America Is concerned,
is a just war. l regret that we
re not in it two years before wa
re. 10 that we might have conquer
Germany sooner, and perhaps the
20 we are paying for our liberty,
indeed for the freedom Of thu
Id, would not bo so great.
enator, one Of my boys, proud,
We, patriotic son, has just fallen In
oreat battle. He was buried a
days ago on the sheI-torn fields
Needing France. ! do not feel that
lied In an unhoIy cause on account
he interference on the part OF Ger
" with commerce between NeSS
k and London. feel that he died
tinQ for freedom, In a Just and
teous cause, and that he flIIs
triotic aravs. have another son