The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-25
1t took congress to pass that.

took from April IL to April 10 to pass
the resolution in 1898.
After an argument with Senator
Williams over the attitude Of Demo
Gratis in congress a., to the Spanish
war resolution, Senator Lodge took up
the resolution.
This resolution uses the word
Justify instead Of AUTHORIZE" he
said. The result will be the same.
This resolution does not contemplate
the declaration of war. The presi-
dent in his message disclaimed all
hostility toward the Mexican people.
But this resolution carries with it
armed Intervention.
THE consequences OF armed inter-
vention are in many respects precise
ly the same as war. But they present
task less capable of speedy COM
pletion; less fertile in the glory of
victories won and may bring long
period of the exercise Of what would
be police power in foreign country,
involving vast expenditures, great loss
Of life perhaps, and after months and
possibly years, possibly only the sat
isfaction Of feeling that we had
brought back peace and order and lib
erty to distracted country"
After reviewing the Tampico Incl
dent Senator Lodge declared:
ia in ntvd
that that incident at Tampico consti-
tuted an insult to the American flag
and the American uniform. No nation
can allow such an insult to pass un-
noticed. 1t is its duty to seek proper
atonement and reparation. The form
OF such atonement is universally rec
ognized. 1t is a salute to the flag Of
the offended nation. But that salute
is governmental action. All party
lines disappear In the demand for
amends for such an insult. and we all
stand behind the presidents demand
for atonement."
Senator Lodge resented any impu-
tations that the Republicans were
lacking in proper regard for the hon
or Of the flag"
But we must also think Of that
which the flag covers--the citizens Of
the United States" he said. Zone
hundred and Atty American citizens
have perished on Mexican soil. l can
not. in demanding atonement of the
insult at Tampico overlook these out
RACES. cannot pass these murders
silently by without saying that here
is a greater wrong to be atoned and a
wrong which must not be and shall
not be repeated.
IL cannot be put in position
where / appear to pick and choose
between the factions that today tear
Mexico asunder. cannot join In
any resolution which puts the United
States in the position o; preferring
one murderer and cut throat above
another murderer and cut throat.
Il have no desire to criticise Presi-
dent Wilson for his failure to recog-
nize Gen. Huerta. He no doubt pro-
ceeded on grounds appearing to him
as sufficient. I condemn as strongly
as can the methods Of treachcry
and bloodshed by which Gen. Huert,
reached his present position. But the
fact that 1 condemn his methods does
not lead me to put myself in a po-
sition which by distortion of the acts
which we take here or of the words
which we utter here would put me
behind Villa, Villa who began life
as hired assassin and whose path
way has been marked with bloodshed,
rapine. plunder, and by unnamable
crimes which are q disgrace to the
country in which we live. 1t is for
that reason that he minority Of the
committee on foreign relations has
presented the substitute for the pre-
amble Of the resolution" asserted
Senator Lodge. Not one sentence
can be denied. Each melancholy
truth"
Mr.. Lodge said the first act under
tho resolution would be taking Of
Vera Cruz.
I'VE are engaged at this moment" 4"
Senator Lodge declared. mot only in
dealing with question involving the
gravcst responsibilities that can con-
front the congress. but as not often
happens. we are participating In a
great historic action.
THE grounds for our action hers
today will lie before the world and
Will come to the tribunal of history.
IF We are to- intervene in Mexico