Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-03-02

been a source of embarrassment to |
him in the diplomatic negotiations
with the belligerents. l am sure that
is so. l have diligently sought to pre-
vent resolutions on this subject being
adopted and sought to allay agitation
on this subject. Now We are informed
that the resolution must be defeated
Senator Lodge replied that the pres
ident has right to ask for vote on
the precise proposition of warning
Americans, inasmuch as the issue had
hampered his negotiations, so that he
could know whether he could proceed
with diplomatic negotiations with con-
gress behind him.
Senator John Sharp Williams, dem
ocrat, staunchly defended the presi-
dent.
THE time has come for you and
me-" said Senator Williams, ito ac,
on an issue that is before us not be-
cause of any action of the president,
but because Of what he has been COM
PEELED to confront because of constant
nagging, constant querying and con-
slant expression of opinion in favor
of the negotiations of a foreign power
as against our own"
Senator Williams, weak from illness,
spoke with great deliberation and feel
ing, apologizing for the weakness OF
his voice.
There are times in the history of
all people, all administrations and all
parties" said he, which men come to
the parting of the ways, 10 avoidable
conflict, when each must stand as best
he may for that which he thinks to be
brave, just and patriotic.
America or Deutschland!
THAT time, | think, has come for
you and me concerning the proposition
that now faces us, and the question
states itself this way: Shall | acclaim
America first, or shall l acclaim
Deutschland Uber Allies.
THE moment a fractional element
participating in the government of the
United States, shall implant in them
selves an idea of pleasing a racial ele-
ment, that moment they will CONSOLE
date against them every other racial
element and all that great element OF
| citizens who are just Americans, with
out frill, without politics and without
hyphens or anything else. They have
a right to be here.
The citizenship Of this country is
derived from every race under the sun.
We are not Irish, not Germans, not
English. not Latins, not Russians, not
French. We are here, if we have the
right to participate in American gov
eminent, simply as Americans.
Wilson Ragged and Pr0dded.
Through resolutions and in speech
es and whispers, the chief magistrate
has been prodded and nagged and
dared. To do what? To surrender the
power that the constitution places with
him, and let congress take the lead IN
foreign relations. Now the patience
of a very patient man has been ex-
hausted. Now. he says, you have given
comfort to foreign nations, you have
given them a contempt for your own
A., government, you have weakened my
hand, now | want a showdown. And
I believe it will be q show-up. | am
through
You have nagged and prodded him
until he has picked up the gauntlet
and said: If the patriotism OF con-
gress is behind me, let's find it out
and if it is not behind me, let's find
that out. If I'm to be hamstrung, just
kill me as a negotiator and have done
If am helpless, say so and let me and
the people know it. You already have
done as much harm as you could dc
by adopting the resolution. l have
pleaded with you not to go on, and il
spite of all, you have kept it up. There
fore without evasion, I say now, let's
bring this to an issue Bring on YOU
war resolutions and your other reso
lutions and let a motion be made t
table them
Holds Politicians to Blame.
The president has offered no new
doctrine. Armed merchantmen is ;
principle recognized in the war will
Spain and i'll the Civil war. What Ger
many wants US TO do is to change in
ternational law and she is trying II
make us particeps criminis.
The only danger of war today, tn
only cloud on the horizon. comes from
the fact that the politicians have no
let him alone, and that some of yol
must seek to create the impression
that the American people are not be
hind the American government, and Il
your action alone is due the last posi-
: ton taken BY the Germans