The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-03-12
NOT THE TIME TO SWAP
HORSES.

(The following from the Chester
field Advertiser voices a sentiment
that is growing in South Carolina and
all over the nation. The admins
tration in Washington needs the sup
port of all people and inexperience
in the war machinery is a deadly
foe)
The patriotism of many politi-
tician is being put to the test just
now. and as the political season de-
velops the test will become more
severe to those who are standing it,
On the other hand there will appear
many whose patriotic impulse is en-,
tirely subservient to selfish interests
This line of demarkation between
the patriotic and the selfish will not
be manifest in the campaign for To-
cal or county offices, but il will be
very evident with relation to ma
tional affairs
The present administration at
Washington is now in fine working
order. We have as president one of
the most able men in the world to-
dav. He has surrounded himself
with a competent and trustworthy
cabinet. These officers are supported
in the main by loyal and competent
members of congress and the senate,
men who are already familiar with
tho terrific burdens now being borne
by administration officials.
1t is evident to every voter in the
l0nd that the fine working force now
backing the administration ought not
to be disturbed. We believe every
one Of our readers will agree with
us in the assertion, that every con
gresham who is supporting the adj
ministration under these trying cir
cumstances ought this year TO be re-
elected without opposition.
Whom man gets the congrcssion-
al bee in his bonnet he must be
true blue American before his pa
triotism will rise above his personal
amS.tinn. for nothing distorts Il
mans perspective quite so much as
this same congressional bee. II is
very difficult for such an one TO see
things in their tru" proportions.
We take great pleasure in pre-
s"ntinG to our readers one such pa
triot. In the sixth district. two
wears ago, Mr.. Julius c. McInnes ran
the Hon J. w. RaEsdale a very close
race for congress. and Mr.. McInnes
had intended to make the race again
this year. His letter follows:
Darlington, S. c.. Feb. 10. 1918.
Hon. j. W. Ragsdale,
House OF representatives.
Washington, ID. C..
Dear Mr.. Ragsdale:
| am writing this letter TO inform
YOU OF a decision that | have recent
| " made and which under the cir
cumstances you are entitled to know.
| rs my vote in the race for congress
! in 1916 was so satisfactory to me
had decided that / would again be
! in the race in 1913 and believed that
my chances of success were good
/ However. / have always believed
that personal ambition should be
subservient to the public welfare and
7 am now convinced that IL Us my
duty not to oppose you for congress
this year 1t is my belief that those
who have supported the national ad
ministratiOn in the crisis through
which we have passed and are still
Dassing should be allowed re-elec
tion without opposition II possible
This is no time for politics and the
people of the nation do not desir,
any more of them that they can pos
siblY avoid. Feeling this wav I be
lieve it my duty to write you frankly
and TO say that I will not oppose yoI
in the coming primaries.
Very truly yours.
julius s. McInnes
We believe it will not require tn
insight of a soothsayer to see ou
point. 1t is this. Congressman w
T.. Stevenson has been in congress
long enough to get into harness. III
is working very hard and makini