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Carver Places Patriotism First. It Demands Support of the Democratic Nominees, Says Republican Ex-Legislator:
Electronic Edition.

Carver, F.O.


Funding from the State Library of North Carolina
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Text encoded by Apex Data Services, Inc., Harris Henderson, and Jill Kuhn Sexton
First edition, 2002
ca. 10K
Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
2002.

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Source Description:
(caption) Carver Places Patriotism First. It Demands Support of the Democratic Nominees, Says Republican Ex-Legislator
Carver, F.O.
1 p.
[Burlington, NC]
[s.n.]
[1918 ?]
Call number Cb329.1 C28 (North Carolina Collection, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

Reprint from the Burlington daily times-news of an article originally published in the Roxboro courier, discussing the need to put aside political differences and join together for the war effort.


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Page 1

CARVER PLACES PATRIOTISM FIRST

It Demands Support of the Democratic Nominees, Says Republican Ex-Legislator

(Burlington News.)

        Mr. F. O. Carver, a prominent attorney of Roxboro, an ex-legislator, and a man who does his own thinking, comes out in a strong article in The Roxboro Courier announcing his views on the situation, frankly stating that politics should be relegated to the junk-pile for the present, and patriotism should prompt every man to give his support to the Democratic nominees this fall.

        Here is his letter:

        The war for freedom must be won; it must be won definitely and completely, without compromise of any vital principle; it must be won as speedily as possible. Such is the slogan of every true American. Every other consideration of public policy or private interest or political expediency is insignificant and unworthy of attention when stood up beside the real thing.

        What do the great political parties present in the way of issues that is of sufficient importance to challenge the interest of a people in the throes of a life and death struggle for national existence? Absolutely nothing. The tariff has passed to the scrap-heap of dead issues. The monetary question appears to be settled. The parties are practically agreed in their attitude towards trusts and large public-service corporations. Even the time-worn issue of national prosperity and "a full dinner pail" has ceased to be the subject of controversy.

        In State affairs, beyond the usual platform camouflage designed to lend color to the campaign, the Republicans do not promise or contemplate any material changes. To be sure, they favor woman suffrage, but that is not yet a vital issue in North Carolina.

        It may be hoped, then, that public-spirited citizens will give first consideration to success in the war by standing squarely behind the Administration whose duty it is to carry it on; by supporting its friends and discouraging its enemies, including political enemies, at the approaching election. Let President Wilson, the commander-in-chief of the army and navy, have the continued support of a Democratic Congress; let him have the moral support of State and local officers who are in sympathy with his policies. Conditions have thrust upon his shoulders the burden of a great task, and he must have the strongest support possible. It is of vital consequence to the country.

        Abraham Lincoln, the real founder of the Republican Party, referring to a possible change of administration while the country was at war, said it was unsafe to swap horses while crossing a stream. We can't exactly "swap horses" in that sense at this time, since there is no Presidential election, but we can easily cripple the horse, which would doubtless be a still greater piece of folly.

        Mr. Wilson avoided war as long as it was possible to keep out of it; perhaps too long, but, if so, he did it for the sake of peace, for the sake of humanity, and in deference to the unmistakable will of a vast majority of his countrymen. Now that war is upon us, the Constitution fixes upon him the responsibility of its prosecution, and it is of overwhelming importance that he shall in every particular have the active backing and support of every American. It is important to the nation. It is important to humanity. It is especially important to every individual soldier who goes to Europe to fight, because there is not one of them whose very life may not depend upon a speedy termination of the war. Let us not permit petty considerations of partisan politics to blind us to our duty to the gallant men who wear the uniform.

        I have an abiding faith in the ultimate triumph of human freedom. We cannot doubt that the Allies will be victorious in the end. But it will certainly be within the range of possibility for us foolishly to weaken the arm of our Government, and so protract the war thereby, needlessly sacrificing thousands upon thousands of lives on the battlefields of Europe.

        Let every thoughtful man, then, consider whether it will not be unsafe at this time of national stress and danger to embarrass and weaken the President by electing as Senators and Representatives in Congress men who for political reasons are not in sympathy with his policies; whether it will not be unwise in this national crisis to bestow upon men who on account of partisanship are not friendly to the National Administration, the prestige and influence that pertains to every public office, however small. In private affairs no prudent man, having employed another to perform a great task of far-reaching, vital consequence, will take the risk of undermining his efficiency by surrounding him with other employees and co-laborers whose attitude towards him is unfriendly.

        As for myself, I am entirely convinced that under existing conditions the obligations of patriotism demand the support of the Democratic nominees at the coming election.

F. O. CARVER.