The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1917-10-06
IN FLOOD Of
ABUSE OPPOSES
ADMINISTRATION
Wisconsin Senator Ignores All
Reference to St. Paul League
Meeting
VlTRIOLIC DENUNC1AT1ON
OF ENTRY INTO STRUGGLE
Says Wilson Should Allow Amer
leans Same Privilege as
Accorded Germans
CONDEMN LA TOILETTE.

Accorded Germans
CONDEMN Ia Toilette.
Springfield, Ill.,, Oct. GA reso-
luton condemning Senator la
Toilette was unanimously adopt
ed by the Republican convention
today. The republican president
of the Club of Massachusetts
spoke in favor of the resolution
saying "La Toilette was traitor
to his country"
Washington, Oct. C.-Senator La
Toilette, whose expulsion from the
senate has been considered, replied
to his critics as to his course in the
war today in long and carefully pre-
pared speech. He asserted that the
war party" besides carrying on a
campaign of libel and character as
sassination against members of con-
gress who voted against the war was
attempting to suppress discussion OF
war issues and intimidate the people
themselves by invading their homes
and unlawfully throwing them into
Jail.
Ignores League.
The senator quoted at length from
Mexican war speeches OF Lincoln,
Clay and Sumner, in support Of his
defense of his right as member Of
congress to assail the policy Of the
government and dwelt at length upon
the constitutional duty or congress
rather than the president to proclaim
tks nations purpose in y taking up
arms. He made no reference to the
inquiry ordered yesterday blythe sen-,'
ate into his speech before the Non
partisan league at St. Paul and dealt
with criticisms Of himself only gener-
ally. = . n] Il I ~ "%f
. six members Of the Senate, and
as I recall, about fifty members of
the house, voted against the declara-
tiOn of war;" he said. Immediately I
there was let loose upon those SEN
ators and representatives a flood OF
abuse from newspapers and individu-
ais, who have been clamoring for
war.
prior to the declaration of war,
every man who had ventured to Op-
pose our entrance into it had been
condemned as a coward or worse, and
even the president had by no means
been immune from these attacks.
Since the declaration of war, the tri-
umphant war party has persuaded
those senators and representatives
who voted against war with malicious
falsehood and recklessly libelous at
tacks, going to the extreme limit Of
charging them with treason against
their country.
Individual Opinions.
1T is not claimed that the senators
who opposed the declaration OF war
have since that time acted with any
purpose either regarding
war measures or other purposes. They
have voted according to their individ-
ual opinions, have often been opposed
to each other on bills, and according
to my recollection have never ali yot-
ed together since that time upon any
single proposition on which the SEN
ate has been. divided.
Throw Country Into Terror.
1t appears to be the purpose OF
those who oppose this campaign to
throw the country into terror, to force
public opinion, to stifle criticism ana
suppress discussion Of the great Is
sues involved in this war"
In support of his assertion that con-
gress should speak for the country In
declaring the war purposes, the SEN
ator cited precedents at great length.
1t would be bad enough if the con-
stitution clothed the president with
any such power. But to exercise such
power without constitutional authority
cannot long be tolerated even If the
forms of free government are to re-
main We know that the people would
resist ii necessary with arms in their
hands, any scheme to clOthe the pres
ident with power to plunge this coun-
try into war, and then to continue the
war as long as he desired"
People Against War.
Senator LaFollette said no COnvic-
ton was stronger with the people to-
day than that there should be no e.
ture wars, except in case of actual in
yasion unless supported by referen'
dunn.
And he added, because there is no
clearness of understanding, no unity
of opinion in this country on the part
of the people as to the condition up
on which we are prosecuting this war.
or what the specific objects are upon
the attainment Of which the present
administration would be willing to
prosecute a peace, it becomes more
imperative each day that congress
should assert it's constitutional power
to define and declare the objects OF
this war which will afford the oasls
for a conference, and for the establish
ment of permanent peace. The pres
ident has asked the German people
to speak for themselves on this great
world issue. Why should not the Am
erican people voice their convictions
through their chosen representatives
in congress-"
Kellogg Answers