The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-06-15

ing an unwarranted liberty in sug-
gesting that, if possible. you recon
sider your decision and that you do
not press your candidacy for senator
further.
Assuring you of my appreciation
of your cooperation in matters of leg
islation. I am.
Very sincerely yours,
Woodrow Wilson.
Hon. A. F. Lever House of Repre-
sentatives"
Mr.. Levers reply:
Washington, d. c.. June 8, 1918.
President Woodrow Wilson.
The White House.
my Dear Mr.. President:
I am in receipt of your letter of
the 7th inst in which you convey the
impression that you desire me to con-
tinue as a member of the house of
representatives.
II entered the senatorial race in
South Carolina only because of my
belief that thereby I could best serve
my State and country.
you will pardon me for saying
that this communication is a great
and complete surprise to me, as I
have been under the belief that I was
performing the higest duty of a citi-
zen in entering the race for the sem
ate and also performing a sacrifcial
duty to the administration. At no
time did / believe that was serving
my own ambition solely The one
thought actuating me in retiring. from
the house of representatives was that
believed that I was performing the
highest duty to the people OF my
state, to the nation, to the admins
tration and yourself. had every
cause and reason to believe this. You
have conveyed to me now the belief
that there is still higher and great
er duty to perform to the nation and
to yourself.
You have impliedly commanded
me to remain in the house of repre-
sentatives, and not to take the stump
In South Carolina during the coming
months. We are at war; you are the
commander in chief Of the army and
navy; we have a selective service act.
and 1t Is the duty of every man to he
placed where he can best serve his ma
ton. If 1t is your belief, as l construe
your letter o me, that my services
can best be used in the house of rep
resentatives, and you will say SO to me
In unmistakable terms so that he
who runs may read no matter what
my own judgment may be, or the de-
sires Of my friends, wish to say
you that l am willing. and likewise
my friends, most cheerfully to ac-
cede to your command.
Respectfully yours.
"A F. Lever"
Mr.. Wilson's second letter:
The White House.
washington. June 10, 1918.
My Dear Mr.. Lever:
Il am i'm receipt of your letter o:
June &. In reply. permit me to say
Tn nnlN n txn
most thoughtful consideration of what
] deemed to be my duty in the case.
| did not wonder that you thought
yourself entitled by your long and dis !
service in the house to con- |,
SideratiOn as candidate for the sen.
ate, but. as you yourself suggest in
the last paragraph Of your letter. we
are at war and the selective service
act is applicable in principle to all Of
us. 1t was this consideration that
made me bold as the present head OF
the nation to ask you to remain in the
house of representatives. IT seems to
me absolutely necessary that you
should remain in Washington through
the present consideration Of the legis-
|ation to which | alluded i'm my letter
TO YOU of the 7th instant Legislation
which we had hoped to be finished
by this time).
You see, ] hope, the clear bases
Df my judgment in this important
matter, which so nearly touches your