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

with resolution beaming on his coun-
tenance, his thin lips clenched tight
ly, his face pale and stern. Pehnd
him, pounding for ORDER was Mr..
Underwood. There they were await
ing the climax of the long debate,
these two leaders OF the Democratic
party, heading the first revolt in the
party ranks since Democracy put
Woodrow Wilson in the White House.
Even house Democrats who for the
first time had turned their backs on
Their immediate leaders and stood
resolutcly by the president through
out the fight were impressed at the
scene.
The interest was tense as Speaker
Clark began to speak. and his first
utterance. breathing spirit Of har-
mony as against discord and assuring
the country that the president and he
personally were at peace, seemed to
spread over the assemblage particu-
larly the Democratic side Of the house
a feeling Of relief.
There is no personal issue between
the president and myself" said the
speaker and his voice was drowned
In chorus of Democratic shouts
while Republicans and Progressives
applauded
At the outset the speaker read his
address. but soon he got into his old
time orotorioal swing and was hara-
mering home with sweeping gestures
his deliberately delivered words. When
he praised the patriotic motives Of
President Wilson. again was he in
terrupted by applause. Upon his
emphatic declaration that with those
who charged him with attempting to
disrupt the party the wish was faith
or TO the thought" not n member on
thc floor but app!auded him. Does
any man in this house believe the
Democratic leaders are working to
split Democracy" the speaker fairly
howled as he leaned toward the DEM
ocratic side and looked into the faces
Of his colleagues.
No No. was the thunderous re-
ply from every part of the chamber
Lot him courageously stand up
here and now" continued the speak
er, that we may see his cast of
countcnance.' But no man stood up
and the house cheered again.
The speaker minced no words as
nc attacked newspapers which he de-
clared had assailed him in this fight,
and, in referring to the charge that
he was "bolting the president" he
exclaimed:
"Merciful God! What an idiotic
phrase."
Throughout the speech there was
not dull moment. Repeatedly he
was cheered and the echoes of the
piaudits rang through the reverberat-
ing halls OF the capitol in frequent
waves.
The speaker talked calmly when
he referred to the Baltimore con-
vention and recalled how he had led
i'm tho presidential nomination for 30
ballots and when he told his col
leagues he was mindful Of the fact
that his course i'm this crisis might
mean the end OF his public career
,hcre was no evidence of regret or of
alarm i'm his voice or demeanor.
There were many things worse, he
said, than being defeated for congress
or for the spcakership. When he de-
clarcd he was not candidate for the
presidency ana could be happy with
oUt It. ne Interrupted himself with
" chucklc that brought more APP
plausc.
INC speaker said he had no harsh
words To speak OF any colleagues who
had criticised him. but ne referred to
some of thcm- Representative Henry
"f Texas. who led the nght for the
ci"ture rule on The repeal bill; Rop-
roacnt1tivc Shirley and Representa-
tive liardwick. who had aided in that
iEht. The house was moved tn nm
roar OF laughter when the speaker
SAID, referring To Mr.. lIardwic&:
so far ass the gentleman from
Georgia is concerned. .say: shoe.
iy' don't boddcr me; shoe. fly! don't
boddcr me-"
IL was several moments after this
humorous disposition of the case Of
his party advcrsarics before the speak
cr could resume because the entire
house sat back ana roarcd--roarcd