The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-02-21

chusetts to his feet with another state
ment that Mr.. Wheeler spoke only for
himself. 1t was unjust and unfair, ne
declared. to charge the democracy with
being in sympathy with his utterances-
''One after another" observed Mr..
Gillet, with an amused smile, while his
colleagues were convulsed with laugh
ter.
Then Mr.. Talbert, democrat, or South
Carolina jumped up. - want to say
he cried. that desire to take my share
of the responsibility for that speech. i
endorse every word he said and am
sorry he did not go farther. / think
those who believe as he does should say
SO and not be internal towards about
it,"
Continuing, Mr.. Gillet said the good
will of every nation was valuable 10
the United States and that 1t was ex-
ceedingly unwise to fling taunt In the
face of a great people. Possibly, he
said, he himself, was not in sympathy
with the worship of royalty. There
were, he said. only two classes in this
country who regarded birth. One was
the aristocratic class of the great cities
and the other the class which refused
to recognize refinement, culture or edu-
cation if it was tainted with color; but
he had believed that the visit of Prince
Henry was a proper occasion for
suitable demonstration OF good will.
Our relations with Germany recently
had been almost strained and here was
an opportunity to display our friend
ship. Besides, 1t would be churlish all /
inhospitable not to welcome properly
the representative of the German pc"
pie. Just at this time also he believed
that it was proper to send embassies 10
England and Spain to attend the corr
nations although he was not in full
sympathy. generally speaking, with
such displays.
Mr. Wheeler replied to Mr.. Glllet. he
disclaimed any idea that on last Fri
day he had spoken for any one except
himself, but. nevertheless, he said h,.
believed that many people believed as
he did. He said he had had innuInera-
BILE letters and kilograms from different
parts of the country containg unstinted
praise of his speech. For himself, he
said, he preferred to tell the truth. no
matter how unpalatable it might be
He said that he had never objected to
receiving distinguished foreigner with
proper consideration. What he objected
to was the spirit of truculency and syc-
Cphancy that had characterized this and
the preceding administrat ton. especial
ly in the conduct of the state depart
ment. Referring to the communications
he had received he said that nine-tenths
of them were from northern states and
d great majority of them from repuhi
cans. Before the American people.
he declared, II say unhesitatingly that
1 have not word to retract. 1 SINGER"
ly believe we are drifting to a position
hostile to republicanism. do not be
lieve to occupy great position IN the
world that it is necessary tor us to sac.
rifice our traditional principles. 1 am
the son of a foreigner and my love of
the republic was born and bred in ME.
[ have been charged in the press with
being an Ignorant agriculturist," l AIN
prOund of being the son of d farmer
and the son of a foreigner but 1 im
ashamed of the boot licking that char
acteriZes the official class IN the repuh
lie today"
Mr. Wheeler then began to read Sumo
of the communications he had received.
In r ply to a q lest Oh from Mr.. Boreirg
republican. of Kentucky, he said thar
few of them were from Kentucky.
Have you anything there from Ed
ward Atkinson" asked Mr.. Shattuc.
republican. of OHIO.
NO, not yet" replied Mr.. Wheeler
amid derisive ieerS on the republican,
side.
Anything from Aguinaldo?" asked
Mr.. Mercer, republican, of Nebraska.
ITO one who would be guilty OF the
discourtesy of that question" retorted
Mr.. Wheeler Il would say had rather
number Aguinaldo among my friends
than such as he."
In conclusion Mr.. Wheeler stated that
he had meant no disrespect to Prince
Henry or the German people and he
did not see how what he said could be
tortured into such an Interpretation
The incident closed with a few re-
marks from Mr.. Boreing. Of Kentucky,
who disavowed on behalf Of the people
of his state any sympathy with Mr..
Wheeler's position.
The senate amendments to the CEN
sus bill were disagreed to and the bill
was sent to conference.
The house then adjourned.