The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-04-01


Ing that the future naval strength of
tho United States. It's right OF sover-
eighty I'm tho Panama Canal Zone and
It's privilege to encourage United
States soastwise shipping to meet the
subsidies OF foreign governments were
threatened by the proposed repeal OF
tho free tolls clause of the Panama
legislation, Oscar Underwood major
ity leader of the House and promi-
ncnt factor I'm all the councils OF his
party. In a speech i'm the house today
took issue with President Wilson on
the question OF free canal tolls for
United states coastwise ships. The
speech was notable for its restraint of
personal feeling. yet bold in its de-
NAL OF the presidents claims.
Are We now to yield the sovereign
rights of nation. and for what?" he
asked. Can anyone tell us plainly
why wo surrender. and what is to be
accomplished by It? Are we to yield
merely because the sentiment OF Eu-
rope is against us? When has the
sentiment of Europe ever been with
IN i'm matters of moment?
2 ''when Mas Europe With Us?"
Was Europe with us when we pro-
tested against the British government
taxing lus without sranting represent
tation In the Parliament? Did Europe
protest against the unlawful seizures
and search OF vessels i'm the second
decade OF the last century
When will the time ever come
when we can expect to maintain and
preserve our rights. political and COM
mercial. with the acquiescent SYM
pathy of European governmcnts?'
Facing a house divided in both It's
Democratic and Republican member
ship upon this question. the Alabama
leader began with Il rem ndcr to his
party associates that they were pro.
posing violation OF the pledge given
In the national platform upon which
they were elected. Then. suggesting
Ironically that most Of them did not
share his views Of thc sacrcdncss of Il
pledge. he lent into deliberate
analysis Of the effect OF the repeal
upon the United States commerce.
United States naval security and
United states rights as one of the
family of nations.
solemn Platform Pledge.
"The Democratic national conven-
ton that met i'm Baltimore and named
Woodrow Wilson for president and
Thomas X. Marshall for Vice Presi-
dent on the 2d day of July. 1919"
said Mr.. Underwood promulgated
tho platform, of the national Demo-
cratic party and made the following
declarations in reference To tolls of
United states ships passing through
the Panama Canal:
we favor the exemption from
tolls of United states ships engaged
In coastwisc trade passing through
the Panama Canal. We also favor
legislation forbidding the use of PAN
anna Canal by ships owned or con-
trollcd by railroad carriers engaged
In transportation competitive with
the canal"
There can bc no contention as To
the meaning of this language. 30 one
Gun raise the issue that the lin now
pending before the house. introduced
W the gentleman from Tennessee
tNIr. Sims). Is not iu direct coulict
With the Democratic platform.
Personally. believe that the party
plcCG, should lc Hvod up To in good
fath by ,hosc who claim allegiance
TO PARTY principles, hat as there are
many here who diner from inc i'm ref
crcncc to the bindiu; effect OF a party
dcGvor to discuss tho pending bill
from that standpoint.
Let us rC.plyc tho issue into the
question 0s To- whether the platform
% the Democratic party favoring cx-
emptiOn OF tolls of American ships
engaged in Coatswl'o trade pass.ng
through the Panama Canal is host
for the nation aud the people of this
country or whether the gentleman
from Tennessee. in the bin now
pending before the house rcpudiaiius
tho declaration of the Democratic
party. Is proposing legislation that
Will bo most beneficial to our nation