The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-05-29

| the World called at my house before [
had consulted with any human being.
and I expressed this opinion, as the
files of the newspapers Will show. One
month of delay might mean serious
consequences to the people Of the Uni
ted States. To defeat the treaty
meant that we were still at war with
Spain, and that our soldiers were in
truders in the Philippine Islands. To
ratify the treaty meant not a state of
war, but mere insurrection and de-
prived other nations of an excuse for
interference. 1t seems to me any
way, that no matter what the situa-
tion or causes may be, that the only
position for man to take when we
are engaged in a foreign war is to
stand by his own country, right or
wrong. It is charged that my vote
ratified the treay and stopped the war.
If SO, 1 am proud of the fact, and |
am thankful that had strength to
do my duty and cast that vote. | fear
that [ would not have had the cour
age to do it, had I not felt that my
vote was absolutely necessary: but re-
alizing the far reaching effect and the
fearful responsibility, | cast my vote
accordingly. have never seen the
day when I regretted it.
[ will not undertake to demonstrate
the wisdom of expansion, but will con-
tent myself by simply saying that we
are nation Of expansionists.
cannot undertake to discuss the
question of a government for outlying
possessions: we have settled other
problems of a more complex nature,
and I cannot but believe that a solu-
tion will be found just, humane and
satisfactory to all concerned.
Ny vote on the army bill
has been attacked. 1t was
along the line of the
foreign policy of this government.
Let me say right here, that I am not
the first Congressman from South
Carolina who has voted against his
party and supported the President
when it came to question of foreign
war. Three of the greatest men that
South Carolina has ever produced,
Calhoun. Lowndes and Cheves sup
ported the government against their
party during the war of 1872. Cheves
used these words, which | repeat from
the bottom of my heart: s. Irrespective
of party, for the great interest of the
nation
The army bill provided for maxi
mum of ore hundred thousand men
and a minimum of sixty-fve thousand,
and between these amounts the dis
cretion was left to the president. At
that time the insurreciton was in pro-
gress and my common sense told me
that there was but one Of two things
to do. Either put enough men in the
field to crush the rebellion. or quit
and come home l believed in the for
mer plan, and so voted.
see that since the rebellion is over,
the President says that he will take
the minimum amount Surely. fellow
citizens, / could afford to trust q
man on a question of that kind whom
the people of the United States had
elected to the presidency.
Now, fellow-citizens. this brings me
to the much-discussed Subsidy Bill.
In the first place, it is astonishing
to me what misconception there is as
to this matter. There never was a
vote on the Subsidy bill, and it was
well understood at the time that [
made my speech that there would not
be a vote at that session. | did not
intend Just at that time to make a
set speech on the bill. arose in my
seat to present the resolution of the
Cotton Spinners Association, and be-
fore l knew it 1 had drifted into a
general discussion of the subject.
| e Oh to hn
subsidy is they call it a steal. .
Well, fellow-citizens, that is very
poor argument: opponents of the river
and harbor, postoffice, or any other
bill can make the same charge. There
is nothing in the bill itself which in
wolves stealing, defrauding the govern
ment or sectional advantages.
There may have been some abuses
in granting subsidies when it was in
the experimental stage but there is
no reason now why there should be
abuses Subsidies are no new theory
in the South. Conventions were held
during the twenty years preceding the
war to encourage the building up of
the commerce of and industries of
the South. Hayne, Calhouon and Nc
Duf1ie were leading spirits in these
enterprises. The National Govern
ment connected the Atlantic and the
Pacific by subsidizing railroads, and
by this policy We have unequaled rail
road facilities, and have developed our
interstate traffic to such an extent
that we are now forced to seek an out
let for our surplus products. All that
is proposed. is to follow in develop
ing our foreign trade the same princi-
Piles that have succeeded in our inter
nal development. Why should the
Southern people, in the face of these
facts. repudiate the spirit of sixty
years ago :: Last year only nine per
cent. was carried in American bot
toms. Why is this: 1t is because in
this contest of Europe against the
United States, foreign shipowners get
subsidy from their Government OF
twenty million dollars besides the adj
vantage of lower wages. and have thus
driven the American flag from the
high seas. We pay this subsidy to the
| I