The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1921-12-30
FRIDAY EVENING. DEcEMpER So. 1921
A MISTAKE

T is given to 10 mortal to live his earthly
span without making unfortunate mistakes
Whatever worthy motive may have been hack OF
them, Immediately upon their contamination, all
cxtenuat:ng circumstances brushed aside aud IN
the eyes OF the public they stand out cenr1? for
exactly what they aye disastrous, nexcuFable
B whitening mistakes and OF such hlunder the
President has to bear the brun1 in his release n
the federal prisoner, Dchs.
The reaction Ur the releas" Of this man
both upon the part OF his friends and supporters
and upon that part Of tic panc whose fea" and
distrust of this radical leader had sumbercd during
his imprisonment WIS clearly anticipated by
these responsible for his release
There has been no repentance nor change OF
opinion in Debs. His ideas Of public -orG JUST
as distorted as ever his advocacy Of the release
of the Atlanta prison convcts in Of his first
statements gives ample proof. Let then? all have
another chance" he begs in his conversation
speaking OF murdersrs assassins thieves and thugs,
the cream Of American viciousness and terOcity
Instead OF going quietly to his own homo there to be
the center Of family affection and joy and settling
down to a life OF quiet lawabidng peace Debs is
the rejoicing center OF mass meetings Of the dis.
gruntled and dissatisfied thousands who look 10 him
to lead them along the pathway Of radical rough
house and lawless disorder
There is an increasing stir Of resentment whicy
-isr8pidy growing to open denunriation from mos"
whose hearts have been wrun. with the sacrifice
which they gladly bore in giving their sons ia the
nation during the war. and from the soldiers who
fought America battles willingly and VINO Will
carry the marks or their exposure TO the end OF
their days. The sight or tho man Who openly
assisted the cause Of the enemy. and who by every
means which his fertile mind could conceive sought
10 obstruct and to hinder this country at war has
aroused the forces Of patriotic America. who have
been stunned with amazcment at the action Of the
president
Possibly those who are most bitter in their
attack upon Mr. Harding most Of all to blame
for the release of Debs for their silence regarding
the man has been taken most naturally for indihcl
ence or acuuiescence Deb's friends have never
rested a moment in their efforts to secure his
release Hundreds or thousands OF letters, tcle-
grams and personal visits have been received In
Washington, in never ending sequence. Gpon every
hand the President has been impOrnned with
solemnly sworn promises that Dcbs given his
freedom. would never again become disturbing
influence 1t is not to be wondered that such
unwearied work should at last receive Its reward.
Those who disagreed in the NUN. silent.
Assured of the continued Imprisonment Of Debs tley
made no effort to sec that their belief was made a
certainty.
It Is too late remedy the mistake, 1t is Al
mistake, which the administration doubt now
realizes without means to rectify. But the judg-
ment upon the president should not b" too severe.
that he is no more than mortal together with the
rest OF u.s. His responsibility is indt ed greater. but
SO must his repentance be in proportion