The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-04-08
MAKING HISTORY.
Washington Post C0mnehds the
Course Of Congressman VOt-
ing to Allow Free Passage of
COastwise Vessels.

The vote Of the House Of Representa-
tives, 247 In favor of the tolls exemption
repeal and 1872 against 1t, transfers the re-
peal fight to the Senate, so far as the pre-
sent bill goes, and that Of the representa-
tives to the primary elections for renomi-
nation, and to the final ~ballotings at the
November elections
Those Democratic representatives who
stood firmly by the tolls exemption plank
OF the Baltimore platform; who faithfully
kept their own and the parties pledge on
this question to the people; who, In the
face Of strong official influences remained
with those who stood opposed to conced-
ing to any foreign country any right to
interfere with our domestic commerce
those representatives should and will re-
ceive the thanks Of the American people,
irrespective Of political affiliations.
They will be recognized during their
lives as men who were firm for principle,
and who were not to be led or forced into
betrayal Of their constituents instructions
or the country's interests or honor by
either official Establishments o. hopes for
departmental favors.
The promises and pledges Of the Demo-
cratic party have been sustained by
Speaker Clark, Oscar Underwood, Frank
Doremus, and the scores Of other sincere,
honest, and fearless men who resisted all
efforts to compel them to abandon the log
ical and patriotic stand which the Demo-
cratic national convention took upon this
question Of tolls exemption.
1t was a most trying and responsible
position in which they were placed by the
unnecessary and ill-ad vised attempt to re-
verse the party's decree, and to force upon
the party and the country q foreign claim
for interference with our domestic COM
merce.
The records Of Champ Clark, Oscar On
derwood, and their patriotic American fol-
lowers are richly emblazoned with good
work done during their years Of service
for the Democratic party and for their
country; but not n Of their achieve
ments will rank so high nor last 80 long
in the hearts and memories Of the people
Of the United States as this brave stand
for the honor Of their country, the rights
Of the republic, and for fidelity to their
own and their party's pledges to the peo-
pie.
They were true, they were tested, and
found without flaw; they were tried and
proved faithful, loyal, and patriotic. The
burning, scorching, blistering words Of
truth in which Hon. William J. Bryan and
Hon. Robert Henry have characterized
those who prove false to party platforms,
political pledges to the people, promises
to the voters, must have burned those who
chose to follow an executive request
rather than to abide by the party faith
and prediction promises.
They go now to face their constituents.
They go to explain away their abandon
ment Of the Democratic creed; they may
plead the request Of the President; they
may ask th" support Of the voters. Those
voters no know the futillty Of instruc-
tons; the utter ~inadequacy Of promises;
the lack Of value in platform declarations.
Those voters are Americans, jealous Of
their country's rights, and determined to
maintain them.
Next November will test the sentiment
Of the voters.-Anderson Daily Mail.