The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1920-08-23
THE PASSING OF WATSON

under
roof of the warehouse which he spoke At least
Is per voters
But Watson will draw crowd like that in this
section not when Thomas W. Hadwck speaks from the
same platform with him, yesterday. again will those
men who lett their Offices their shops their plows to Journey
miles to see him and hear him, again make such trip
FOR Watsons power The fire vision that
once drew close to HIM the thousands who have followed him tru
thirty of Populsm radcasm and-Watsonsm will n
again feel the same driving force the reckoning fire that
they felt and saw ~ ~
'Mr Wasons speech disappointment no other word
better describes it. 1t disappointment to +
du e sage OF McDufle IN his days of strength than was TO
those Others who had heard of him only through renue known he
virtues only through the lips OF those who loved him those
who followed him blndly trusting in,n1ic;tv n h; '
the inspiration OF his spirit. "
What Mr. Watson his speech really unmportant as
regards the campaign He followed his usual line assain
administration and especially Wilson and the League of Nations
which he made the prime issue aking Hoke Smith full
ue OF fol his tactics touching lightly on the
American Legion He addressed himself to the officers Of
the american army rather than the Legion attack ON the
whole was not bitter, at least effectively bitter
All III all his speech effective any respect The old
GS and e that brought the thousands cheering feet in
HI hghng days the dead yesterday there was no
"i'l " hem lie was greeted with especial ovation when
he arose speae crowd for ten seconds NV the
ad a that the cheering rather than spontaneous
ough his followers thought themselves duty bound to cheer thor
ce When he concluded the applause was brief and
ing despite the fact that the band up Dixie as sort Of ar
thcial stimulus. - 0 u d.
he expect command the crowds that have expecan
greeted him during this campaign Those people get the
thrill that the Watson spirit inspired the vision he
could once paint for them in words of liquid fire.
That great following Watsons built by his dstruc
tive policies Men do follow leader who down.
It built by his ability in their
inspired him. Perhaps it impractical vision Popusc
heaven on earth he asped to create but to him it living
truth and his of oratoy and terrific sincerity
those who heard him his vision and believe he believed
through the last few OF his public lle' the o''e
period where who had opposed him grew stronger
his heart than love he had sought to serve
roo even that period his followers chung him because
they thought he could again them to the heights OF ie
he once could suppression of his cutting OH from
the world for time kept that IMPRESSION that ah n'do' VIII"
it longer justified
Now strong leash which fastened on him while he
strong while only strong leash indeed that could re-
strain removed And is disappointment to ind
needed after all that great orce as had once
been his had been restrained
He growing his followers Winder said yesterday
his speech He weak physically of we can't expect
old lips sparks of burning fire that fell from them
when they young"
they something else gone besides youth
and strength Mr. Watsons day of constructive accomplishments
is done The of his usefulness has set in twilight
sadowy half light of bitterness of fear and hate Nothing he
said yesterday promised constructive worthwhile accomplishment
were he given opportunity for it.
And the feeble assaults he made what has been accomplished
and what others going accomplish evidence that
the strong longer dangerous His of
personality gone He can no longer breathe the breath Of pulls
life into the he makes He longer send them
home his hearers with the impact rifle ball. with tn explosive
force that he could
Mr.. Watson is running memories Those cast
their ballots for him will be casting hem for the Watson
day. but for the other that Watson years ago
be enough of those send him the Senate That
be If he goes, he will innocuous able of accom-
pslng neither good evil More likely he will be defeated and
young who good governor and will make
better senator, will be elected
Then Watson retire the quiet of his pretty at
Thomson e the few blank cartridges that arsenal
and live to the end of his day life full of expert
and satisfaction the things he accomplished while
vision of the future his the bitterness
the past-Stewart F. Geders in The Athens Banner.