Smyrna times., 1918-08-14
SMYRNA MAN ANSWERS
QUERY "IS POLITICS DEAD
REPLIES TO SPECIAL" RECENT
LY IN PHILADELPHIA RECORD
CamOuflaged As it Were There is a
Political Undercurrent Running
For a Purpose in Campaign.

Wilmington a few days ago, inform
ed the readers of that journal that
politics in Delaware "has been almost
dead for several months" In other
words, in a moribund state or sub
normal condition, camoufaged as it
were, and yet, he sees through the
deception a political undercurTent
running for purpose in the ap-
preaching campaign.
He informs us that Governor
Townsend has selected as a candidate
for the L. S. Senate, Mr.. Everett C.
Johnson the present Secretary of
State, to oppose Senator Salisbury.
If Mr.. Everett-by His Excel
lency's support-should be the choice
of the convention, the senior Sena-
tor of the "Blue Hens" brood will
have to don his gas mask, and load
up with hand grenades, and go for
his opponent with a speed not unlike
that now employed by our boys "Over
there" chasing the Boches.
Locally, the only evidence of an ap-
preaching campaign is the posting of
notices of the days of registration.
Surely the laws of Delaware have
provided days a-plenty to register all
the eligibles in the G.. o. P, and all
the Democratic chandeliers extant in
the state.
AS yet,nO Democratic candidate for
congressional honOrs has appeared
above the political horizon in the
state. If one has, his star of hope
has not illumined the political arena
in so far as ones observation ex-
tends. Is it not the OppOrtune time
for someone in the Democratic ranks
who is near great, or wOuld-be great
to announce himself as a candidate
for the high honor of representing
the Diamond State? Why hesitate?
Is it that a retrospective glance at
the years past reveals the fact, that
the days when Democratic nOmina-
ton was equivalent to an election,
have gone a-glimmering? The dash
and spirit of the erstwhile DemOcra-
tic Spartans seems to have utterly
vanished. Only one of the old "big
FOUR now remains and he is in po-
Htical retirement.
My political friends and partners
in my prospective citizenship if any
of you feel that you have not had
your share of the gentle and ap-
pealing comforts of life that some
people call luxuries, induce your
chums and political friends to elect
you to Congress. Once there, there
is little that will be denied you. For
is not the record eXtant that under
the dome of the great Capitol, and
the magnificent Office buildings is
the $500 annual stipend, with the
everything the heart can wish? With
regulation allowance for mileage to
and from your post of duty; with
other prerequisites ad infnitum, what
more could be desired for your indi-
vidual comfort?
Work out the old aphorism to a
frazzle: "If you don't succeed at first
try, try again." Whenever there IS 4
prospect, there is inspiring hope. Nil
desperandum! Hang on to the or
ganization whenever and wherever ii
performs. 1t may eventually run you
into the haven of your fondest hope
Many congressional meteor has
in the past flashed across the political
skies of the district of Delaware
Flashed, fluttered and sputtered anC
then become extinct. Many a pOliti
cal star has shOne brightly for a time
in the political arena then faded il
the gloom of disappointment. Many
a prodigy has proposed but not pro
duced, and disappeared in the Obliv
ion from whence it emerged. Yet
withall, some of the political clam,
ducks" have been revitalized; hav,
shOne another shine, and have won il
the end. Never since Aaron's wonde
working rod ceased to perform, ha
there been so many surprises as il
the results of congressional elections
There are sundry and divers
methods of entrance into the exclu
sive circle of the politically great an,
near great. Some men break in be
cause they have money, and SOM
men break in because they are broke
Other men have achieved the toy;
because they have the votes to de
liver or someone has the votes fo
them. Get on the job aspirants, an
when your anticipations bloom ou
into verify you can fearlessly but
into debates, and may be butted ou
again. Fight profteers or foste
them. Snap your fingers at preda
tory wealth or finger the snaps fror
the same source. Get on the Job, i