The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1898-08-25
FALSE CRY OF PATRIOTISM.
From Speech OF Congressman Lewis
in the National House" When
Crimes Arc to Be Committed
Against The People They Are Put
or Guard by the Cry OF Patriot.
ISM"

Mr.. Speaker: The records of the morn
ing bring us the glorious news that Com
modore Dewey Of our navy has entwined
the Stars and Stripes around the trident
of Neptune to be hereafter menace 10
the world. (Applauseo
1t will, Mr.. Speaker. be y dangerous
precedent if this House continues TO pur-
sue a line to remove tndiscriminate
charges of desertion and then enter upon
the rolls of the pension list the undeserv-
ing, and thus shut out those who must
be needy, close its gates to those who I'M
doubtedly must come hereafter l have
listened a great deal since l have been a
member of the House to he constant cry
of patriotism" not only respecting these
measures, but respecting any and every
measure that can be rendered upon this
floor.
Indeed, Mr.. Speaker. ] can not recall
where a measure has been rendered to this
House. however meritorious or meretri-
cous but what there has baen summoned
the shibboleth Of patriotism In order 10
give 1t an impetus. Thsre has never been
a tariff law suggested on the floor but
that patriotism" has been oonjured as
an excuse why we should vote against
ne taxpayer, increasing his burdens.
There was a law for Congress to create
a monetary commission and giving them
$4,000 of the peoples money under the
cry of patriotism" for them to go out
for the nation. but up to this hour We
neither have the information as 10 what
legislation they did in our behalf Or what
they did with the 100000.
If some slight account could be made
by these estimable gentlemen. who, I
have no doubt, far excel this humble body,
as to what they have done with the money
may be enough remaining to meet these
may be enough remaining 10 meet hese
different pension claims Of the dependent
and worthy. IL we can ascertain what
that foreign and blmetallic commission
has done with the s175. 900 which they seem
TO have taken from the treasury to GALL
want over the continents, there may be
something left with which We may requite
some of these existing demands.
have listened too often, Mr.. Speaker. to
the constant cry Of patriotism" as the
reason for legislating measure after meas
ure here, and only the other day we heard
from our honorable friends on the other
side that patriotism should always drive
us into the line of action which shall ex-
ecute the desire Of the other side, ire
spective of any virtue or vice OF the meas
ure. On this side of the House there
arises. now and then. as did my friend
from New York, the distinguished and
honorable gentleman, Amos Cummings,
who advised this assembly that he put
his country above party" and under that
Cry certain gentlemen on the floor, under
> his Leadership, calling themselves Demo-
Gratis, founo II agreeable TO support the
measure mortgaging the generation and
their children yet unborn, irrespective of
the fundamental justice of it.
l realize that my friend from New York,
who holds a high place the floor. and
~ ,servedly so. not only from mis- ability
Y J,1t by his long service. may have a right
!, to dictate to q. great many members both
. as to Democratic fealty and patriotism:
but / am moved at this time 10 ask my
friends. when they say they put their
country above party, above which party
do you put yourself? daughter and ap-
plause)
II always seems highly appropriate from
my distinguished friends from New YorS
who have my constant affections and
, my equally constant efforts whenever
! can serve them-whenever stimulated by
that magnificent, indescribable buoyancy
: of putting their country above party" II
is always to descend 1t Immediately to the
! depths of the Republican Party. laugh
I teri
There never seems time In the history
OF my friends when their country is en-
rstlcd 10 be elevated above the Republican
Party. I rise to ask of my distinguished
q Republican friends when is 1t that their
party ever found II agreeable under the
y cry of patriotism to accept any measure
4 which the Democratic Party rendered. or
vote for any proposition coming from this
side of the House? When. at any hour
or under any circumstances, has II been
kthat any measure rendered by my friends
!pn the other side did not have the merit
n patriotism" to recommend II, to give
impetus. encouragement, and. with the
AID OF deluded men. an undeseryed sue
cess7 (ApplauseN
Mr.. Speaker. under the cry of patriot
isn." which is ever conjured up for the
purpose OF putting through any measure
'sfs discover that a set of men who