Omaha daily bee., 1920-02-22
Nebraska Should
Support. Pershang

Omaha, Feb. 19.-To the Editor
of The Bee: If General Pershing will
permit the use of his name. and he
has indicated nothing to the con-
trary. the republican electors OF Ne
braska, men and women. should
deem 1T an honor to be allowed to
vote for him at the coming pri-
mary.
!, Ever since Lieut. John ]. Pershing
established his home IN Nebraska,
more than a quarter OF century
ago; he has been an honored citizen
of our state. He has never failed to
faithfully and successfully perform
his duty as soldier and citizen.
Whether as a youthful instructor in
our State university; an active par
ticipant in the Spanish war; leading
the invasion of Mexico. for the pro-
lection Of our border. until unwisely
recalled by higher power; or as a
commander of 100000 Of the best
and brayest soldiers engaged In the
great world war he has been faithful
to his trust.
You need not ask to what party
does General Pershing belong. He
was born and bred in place and at
a time when you could tell how a
man would vote by the color Of the
uniform he wore. / know for l was
there.
Neither utter, or listen, to word
of disparagement against the candi-
| dacy of that magnificent soldier and
gentleman, Wood of New Hamp-
shire; or that efficient, thorough
going man of business, Lowden Of
Illinois; or the widely experienced
and broad statesman, Harding or
Ohio; or the brilliant Johnson. Ia
vorite son of California, but paying
all honor and tribute due each and
all of them, Pershing OF Nebraska
stands the peer Of any. AS modest
as Grant, as capable as Sherman,
and as forceful as Sheridan he has
been an honor to his profession and
his country; not a breath of scandal
or suspicion has ever been breathed
against him; world figure, honored
and respected on both continents, 1t
would, indeed, be strange IL his fell
low citizens of Nebraska, who know
him best, would fail to ask him to
step up higher. Before the name or
Pershing was suggested as a candi-
date, we may have expressed a per-
sonal choice of some other candt-
date; if so, let us noW forget that
and rally to the support OF our
neighbor and fellow citizen and by
honoring him honor ourselves and
our state.
Nebraska has been thrice honored
by having one of it's citizens chosen
as candidate Of great party. and
may again be so favored, which has
only added to our name ana
strength in the halls Of congress and
national gatherings. Speak not
lightly Of state pride for 1t Is the
beginning of patriotism. 1t is or lit
tie importance who may be chosen
to represent the republican electors
at the national convention so long
as they are men, or women, of prob
ity. who will carry out the instruc-
tions of the voters faithfully to the
end, If the national convention
shall choose another we will as 10y
ally support that choice as our can
didate has always supported his
home and his country.
Since the candidacy Of General
Pershing was ANNOUNCED 1t mas
spread like an old-fashioned prairie
fire throughout the whole country
and no candidate is in better posi-
tion than he is. Under existing
conditions General Pershing is the
logical type of man to have con-
troll of affairs for the next four
years. Perilous times are ahead:
Law and order must be preserved
at any cost. The anarchist, the boil
sheyist and the radical socialist
must be taught that this govern
ment will be preserved, that it's af-
fairs will be conducted by its sober
and thoughtful citizens along the
same lines as laid down by lts
founders. Times and conditions de-
mand that a firm hand shall be IN
control. Presidential candidates are
no longer named in Wall street or
subcellar of the national capitol.
Men of the type Of General Per.
shing may not be to the liking or
the professional politician. who
seeks to climb into somebody's
"band wagon" with the hope OF per-
sonal reward, but he stands 1or
what the people want.
Rally around the standard or
General Pershing and pay honor to
whom honor is due.
q r M,GREW