Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-08-28
Another Neutral Ne1Osbaber
S1U;nqs to Senator Smith

THE most significant comment on the
Georgia Senatorial race is from those
newspapers that have watched and
pondered before speaking out. Theirs is the
ripest Judgment, and the soundest, for one
word of sober second thought weighs more
than columns of Incorporate chatter. ~
Among the more recent and influential
papers to pass from an attitude of reflection
to earnest championship is the Walton
News. In the preferential primary last spring
the News remained neutral as between Sena-
tor Smith and Mr.. Palmer, for the reason,
it seems that it was then impressed, though
not convinced, by some of the criticism with
which the Senator's inveterate foes were as
sailing him. In the beginning Of the present
contest the News continued quietly observ-
ant, studying the candidates and the is
sues. At last it speaks its mind, and In this
wise:
"since we have had time to reflect
and investigate, we have reached the
conclusion that the major portion of the
fault-fnding and charges were ground
less, that they were misconstructions, if
not Misrepresentation of his (Senator
Smiths) position. by designing politi-
clans who have for many years been bit
tery against him and who have sought
in spite of the record, which is by far
better than it is bad, to defeat him. We
have made up our mind to support him
again, wholly upon the ground that we
regard MIN, just at LllS stage OIL history.
as the most logical man for the place,
a man capable and experienced"
The impressiveness Of this opinion is in
the process by which 1t was formed. 1t is
product of fair-mindedness as opposed to
prejudice, of thoughtful patriotism as op-
posed to heady factionism. If the editor of
the Walton News had been content to swal-
low the propaganda of Senator Smiths enc
mics with never an effort to determine it's
falsity or truth, he might now be aligned
with those that have cOmforted the cause of
Thomas E. Watson by thrusting in third
candidate whose only effect is to divide the
vote of the States loyal Democracy. But he
was not thus to be duped He went to the
record for evidence on the charges which
lncurable feudists have been flinging against
the senior Senator, and found instead a null
utude OF services to the Commonwealth. He
tracked the ISLANDERS home, and found them
leading invariably to the imagination of
some reckless foe He pinned the gossips
down TO facts, and found their only stock in
trade to be idle or malicious Inventions And
then as reasonable man, as a citizen mind
iai OF Georgia's best interests, he refused to
loln the adventure of embittered CLIQUE
10 destroy the usefulness of a valuable pub
lie servant pun
His ease is broadly typical. Hundreds and
'lousands who have thought this matter
'arough will second his wise counsel:
"We would insist that those who have
D6on SO bitter against Senator Smith
weigh their position the scales of his
record in toto and see if most of the
TRADES against him are not founded on
newspaper propaganda, which is not al ,
ways a safe guide for public or private
opinion-a propaganda that feeds of
personal hate, not on vital facts :. q.
The News shall use it's influence and
cast its vote for Senator Smith, conf
dent that in this day of stress and
strain he is best qualified to give us the
service that the conditions of the coun-
try demand.
This, we say, is the typical judgment and
purpose of those who have looked most
thoughtfully into the Senatorial campaign
and who have sought guidance in the light
of the States broadcast wel1-being rather
than blind conscripts of a faction or as
credulous followers of a propaganda of hate.
At all times it behooves men to use their
heads, especially when their great common
interests are involved and when a rash de-
cision would cost their country dear. Such a
time, such question confronts Georgans
today. the highly practical and highly i'm
portant question: Shall the State retain the
services of constructive and result getting
Senator, Or shall it displace him for either
radical adventurer or novice without in
fluence? Surely there can be but one answer
for them who rightly see and really think!