Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1916-03-16
(By Congressman clyde II. Tavenner)

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WASHINGTON March 16-(Spe-
ciaD-It was very noticeable in the
debate on the question of warning
Americans from travelling on armed
vessels that those legislators who are
known as corporation attorneys and
whose records are consistent in oppos-
ng any reforms in the interest of the
masses, we're the loudest and most
patriotic in their pleas not to inter
fere with the rights "of the humblest
American citizen.''
LET the humblest American ride on
the armed ships if he Desires was the
substance of their arguments. If an
armed ship is sunk with an American
aboard it will probably mean war. Ii
an armed ship is sunk without an
American aboard it will not mean
war. Wall Street wants war. There
fore, however humble the citizen may
| be, and the humber the better, lei
| him ride!
However, it is gratifying to know
finally come over to the cause of the
humble citizens of this country. Lei
us hope they will "stay put"
| 1t was also noticeable that as rule
the younger men of all parties were
in favor of warning Americans of the
prudence of not sailing on armed
ships. Probably the greatest speech
that was made during the entire de
bate was made by young man, one
| who in years is representative Of the
type of young men who will have t.
do the fighting of there is any to be
done. l refer to the speech of Con
gresham Pearl Decker of Joplin, Mo
Decker was at first refused time tt
make his speech, but was finally grant
ed five minutes. Here is the speech
in full, as taken down by the officia
shorthand reporter of the House:
"Mr. Spe ker, in Germany the is
sue was, Will we stand by the Kaiser
In England the issue was, Will we
stand by the King? In Russia the is
sue was, Will we stand by the Gar
] the little Vicar of God? If war comes
we will all stand by the President O.
| the United States. (Applause.) Blu
Government. (Applause). And wis
to say to the insinuating gentleman
from Alabama (Mr. Heflin) the ques
ton now is, Will we stand by the
American people? Applause on the
Republican side) You can not dodge
the question, gentlemen of the South
land and gentlemen of the Northland
The question is, Will you go to wal
on what Mr. Lansing says is a doubt
full legal right? (Applause). l an
willing to go to war if necessary. My
people have borne their part. Ny
father and my uncle fought to pre-
serve that flag. But l say to you, the
private citizens of this country, the
men who pay the taxes, the men who
if there is war, will die in the trench
es, the men who will breathe the
Iasphyxiating gas, the mothers of the
boys whose flesh and blood will be
spattered on the fields of battle want
to know before war is declared why
they have to go to war. (Applause.)
Il have stood by the President of
the United States. | have stood by
him in his efforts to carry out the
mandate of the American people He
has said that if an American citizen
on board an armed merchant ship Is
drowned by German submarine with
out warning, he will hold Germany to
strict account. Stripped of its diplo-
matte language it means that if an
American life is lost as the result of
the sinking of an armed merchant YES
sci without warning-it means war.
am willing to go to war for an Ameri-
can right, but not for doubtful legal
right as Mr.. Lansing says this is.
fApplauseI / am willing to go to
war for an American right. but it
must be a vital right. (Applause)
Our people had rights down in Mexi-
20. They we're valuable rights. They
were definite. snecffic, and certain,
based mon treaty obligations. Oh,
know there was M responsible Gov
eminent down there to call to account
FOR the violation of those rights. but
nevertheless we could have sent our
armv to maintain those rights. GAP
nlause). Put l believe the President
did right when he said. in behalf Of
the lives and the welfare Of the mass
Of American citizens. We viii not
sacrifice the lives of our American
boys for the sake Of few Americans
in Mexico and warned those Ameri-
cans In Mexico to come homo. Now,