The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-14
LEWIS AGAINST CUMMINGS.
EXTRACTS FROM THE SPEECHES
OF THE TWO CONGRESsMEN.
Sneered nj Patriotism and Was
Called to Account for His Words
by the Democrat From New York.

/, WASHINGTON, d. c., May A-During
the debate OF a private pension bill today,
an Interesting discussion took place be-
tween Lewis of Washington and Cum
nings OF New York. participated in also
by others. The report of the Congress
slonal Record gives the speeches, from
which the following Is taken. the first be-
ing part of the remarks OF Mr.. Lewis:
Il have listened too often. Mr.. Speaker.
70 sne constant cry OF patriotism as the
measure here, and only the other
day We heard from cur honorable friends
on the other side that patriotism should
when snail execute the desire of the other
side, irrespective Of any virtue or vice OF
the measure. On this side of the house
inere arises. now and then. as did my
friend from New York, the distinguished
ana honorable gentleman. Amos Cum
mings, who advised this assembly that he
put MS country above party and under
tnat cry certain gentlemen on the floor.
under his leadership. calling themselves
democrats, found It agreeable to support
the measure mortgaging the generation
and their children yet unborn, irrespective
Of the fundamental justice of 1t.
Il realize that my friend from New York.
who holds a high place on the floor, and
deServedly so. not only from his ability
but by his long service. may have a right
to dictate to great many members both
as 10 Democratic fealty and patriotism:
but | am moved at this time to ask my
friend, when they say they put their coun-
Try above party, above which party do you
put yourself? daughter and applaussl
1T always seems highly appropriate
from my distinguished friends from New
York-who have my constant affections
and my equally constant efforts whenever
l 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
ter D,
OF my friends when their country is. en-
titled to be elevated above the Republican
party. l rise to ask OF my distinguished
party ever found 1t agreeable under the
cry OF patriotism to accept any measure
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 1t been that
any measure rendered by my friends on
the other side did not have the merit OF
patriotism to recommend it. to give it
impetus, encouragement. and. with the aid
OF dsluded men, an undeserved success?
(Applause)
"Mr. Speaker, under the cry of patriot
ISM which is ever conjured up for the
purpose of putting through any measure
here, l discover that a set OF men who are
TO be the beneficiaries of this patriotism
the country's rights. sacrifice the poor TO
the psllage OF the tax-gatherer and to
those who plunder the treasury, I discover
that this set OF gentlemen who are always
above the law, who condemn the income
tax, who condemn the power of taxation.
who cry out that every man who opposes
chist, I discover this graceful set of gen.
tlemen who are the embodiment of public
virtue as the coal trust. selling coal to the
Spaniards to load their ships to lombard
our cities and blow our marines from the
seas.
II perceive. on the other hand. that
these eminent corporations known as rail
roads have combined in. a trust in the
West and have entered into league TO
sell mules and munitions OF war to Spain
that her cavalry may cut down our SOL
niands of the president. More than that.
that one of the gun factories of this
nation. the owners of which have been in
ema aso. to eyery EFFORT ora Of honesa
men to right the wrongs Of the poor. is
making guns for the Spanish nation and
they are doing so for the money there
Is In it These are specimens OF the peo-
pie who are. .arraying members of this
house under the cry of patriotism and
branding each OF us who oppose them as
',lemagogues.' hypocrites' and 'anar-
ch:sts' / take the liberty OF making
some short contrast between the two
classes.
who are these men who were branded
'demagogues' anarchists and 'repudi
ators," who are accused OF having no
law. nor reverence for sacred institutions
who are they2 Behold themi j ask
termed denagogues and anarchists and
are ever charged with want Of patriotism
the word which, as Walpose well sad,
IS ever summoned up when there Is de-
into the hands of the guilty, those who
rob and pillage the country in the hour of
It's weakness and the day of its creduIty?
I ask who are these maiigned men? They
are the men who are asking for relief in
pensions here today.
They are those poor, unfortunate men
who in this hour have forgotten the men
who cursed them. have forgiven the men
who DETAINED them-who are unconscious
of the way in which they are being rob
he'd and pillaged here by those VINO should
be their guardians. who know no enemy
hut the enemy OF their country. They are
the men who are today furnishing UP the
old musksss. drawing the old sword out
Of the scabbard. They are the men who
ars taking the last leave OF an aged
mother. They are the men who are hold
ing 10 their hosoms IL perhaps q last EN-
brace the wives of their souls and drop
ping soldiers tear upon the face Of their
children (applause); are going 10 the
front 10 die for their country. tApplause,)
These are the true patriots Of this nation.
''For myself. have grown tired OF this
constant. prating cry or patriotism
which Is ever invoked on the floor of this
house every time there is ar attempt to
commit a constitutional wrong. Jap
PiaASe-l
''They are obligations We have assumed
70 pay: they are obligations We are called
upon 10 assume: and how can We pay
them under present conditions? VIII
there be money derived from any source
70 pay your volunteers In the field. AID
10 pay your pensions after the war. unless
some man or some party shall rise SUI
perto- In this country in the present con-
fitfauS and stop tina outrages now being
3e-pstra1ed upon the taxpayers by the
gsldad Fohbers-the steGIt8y frauds COM
ni5tte4 against freedom and against honor:
Mr. Speaker, have 10 luminosity
whatever against tha pending measure /
do nos object TO the payment OF the pen
sion. Z pension Is due in this ease.
have no opposition TO the claimant in the
ease | have no doubt that I, - a lust
and proper claim, and one that has teea
carefully considered and sao1ld be paid
/ aavss advocated pensions In every speech
thai have ever made on this hDor.
have q large constituency composed Of
vaiians Federal soldiers n Ny Western
he me-" # n
Mr. sseeIe-It the gentleman VIII allow
~ interruption. this il net pension case.
bat blli for the relief OK dessrter
aAsuGhfegl
NJ Iew!s Of Wasagnxton~Nr. Speaker