The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-02-05

PRESIDENT WANTS BACKING OF
PEOPLE IN HIS FIGHT FOR -.
LIVES AND TRADE OF
: go NATION.

ne begun during the present month to
back him up In defending American
lives and commerce abroad. His de-
mand met with shouts ana applause
from an audience of 10000 persons,
who waved American flags, leaped to
their feet and cheered. The big
crowd was with the president from
the start. -
When the president ceased speaking
he leaned forward and asked the
great throng to join him in singing
America" The audience stood and
the words of the national anthem
came In glorious burst Of song.
4 why. some men in Washington are
questioning If we could get the 5O0,-
600 men for which the government is
asking" he said at one opint Of his
address. Would they volunteer?"
- A man In the far end of the hall
shouted his answer over the heads Of
the crowd: Yes" he cried. A dozen
"a score-50 echoed the word and
tho hall was in q turmoil. President
Wilson then held out his hand.
= why, believe" he said as the
tumult died. 'you could raise the 500.-
0oo men in almost any State. believe
YOU could get 5000 men right here in
this audience.
Il have been thrilled by the expe-
rtehcss of these last few days." the
president said. and I will go home
TO Wash,~ gton and smile at the gem
tlen,en Wao say the United States is
not awake.
80 Those gallant men who sit on the
hill In Washington and make our laws
are going to deliver the goods the
crowd cheered. Don't misunder-
stand me. they are going to deliver
the goods becau use YOU want the
goods delivered"
/ The president said the time had
come for him, to ask his fellow citi-
gems to get upon your hind legs and
talk and tell the people who repre-
sent yon what the nation desires and
demands. The thing that every
body in q democracy is listening for
As the tramp. tramp. tramp. of the
facts!'
; IT have come to ask you what is
back of me In this taak OF presery-
ing at once peace and your honor" the
president said. THE Judge On the
bench has the law back OF him with
It's bailifks. sheriffs. National Guards
men and the United States army but
~ some foreign capital what the
president urges as the rights Of the
people and government of the United
iStatAse what is there back of it?
+ 1T is necessary that shonld come
and ask you this question because !
don know how long the mere word
and insistence of your government
win prevail to maintain your honor
ana the dignity and power of the ma
tion. There may come a time-I
pray God it may never come, but it
may in spite Of everything we can
dO--upon us when ! shall have to ask:
I have said my say; who stands back
of it?' Where is that force by which
the right and majesty Of the United
States are to be vindicated and as
sered?"'
The president declared the need
was immediate and that action should
be begun within the present month.
Il assure you there is not day to
be lost" he said. mot because there
Is any special crisis, but because do
not know "a hours ahead what will
happen.
'The future does not depend on u.s.
but upon commanders of ships and OF
submarines and upon blockades and
upon many other men. big and little.
Il have read editorials" he said
"sneering at the number of notes sent
abroad by the government and asking
why don't the government act; and In
these same papers have seen edi-
torials against the preparation to dc
anything whatever effective, If these
notes are to be regarded. Is that the
temper Of the United States? 1t may
be tn" temper Of some editorial Of
ficials but know it is not the temper
OF the people of the United States"
A wave of applause swept over the
gathering. A voice in the gallery
cried MOI" and the crowd yelled
again.
The president presented warning
that most Of the mhnition factories OF
the United States we're on the Atlantic
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