The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1917-12-13


lrrom Hattiesburg American, Dee. ID
CONGRESSMAN Pat Harrison, candi-
date for the senate to succeed Senator
Jas x Vardaman, last night delivered
a mastery address In Hattiesburg,
holding the tense attention OF a large
audience for one hour and fifty min
utes. while he discussed the issues IN
viewed in the campaign. paid tribute
To the boys in khaki" eulogized Amer
team women for their patriotism, COM
Pared his record In congress with thar
a. his opponent In the senate, refuted
the charges made by Vardaman'
friends and reaching the climax to-
wards the close of his speech by read
tns correspondence between himself
and President Wilson which showed
that on the very day war was declared
he offered his services TO his country
10 serve in any manner.
The reading of the letters passing
between himself and the president Gre
s.ed a sensation. for the Vardaman
press OF Mississippi has time after
time OF Ia % twitted the distinguished
congressman with insinuations that he
hsd no. os'ered to enlist whereas Sen
ator Var, anan had gone to the war
department and Offered his services.
The reading of the letters was proof
positive that Congressman Harrison
not only Lad offered his services. but
that he was probably the first man in
public life In the United States to do
40. In introducing the subject where
:, his pPtriOtism by acts had been
questioned by friends of Senator Var
daman. Congressman Harrison said
that he had not boosted OF his offer
and only a few Of his closest friends
knew that he had written a letter to
the president. He had not intended to
make public mention of II until recent
iy. when TIE vardaman papers, he said.
had filled their columns with insinra-
tioas that he had not offered 10 serve
his country in the trenches.
Blo Crowd hsars Harrison.
rarine his address last night. which
tcak place In the gymnasium OF the
Y.M. c. A. building. Congressman Har'
rison took occasion to eulogize Pres.
idoat Wilson His speech was pitched
lrtely free from personalities, and moi
once Oil he mention the name of his
opponent. referring to him at all times
as the Junior senator from Missis
sippi."
A recard breaking audience heard
Congress man Harrison. The gymna-
sum he 4 been temporarily converted
into on auditorium IL was jammed
and pao led with people. remaining SC
until the last echo OF applause dice
cut after he finished his address. More
than 1, coo people, 1t IL estimated, I'LL
Cd the gymnasium room. while hun
dreds were Turned away. not beini
s5le TO find standing room.
When Congressman Harrison enter
ed the hall he was given an ovatiu;l
When he closed his speech hundreds
Of people rushed forward to grasp hi
hand. Many former supporters of tn,
.unicr senator voluntarily offered thu
Information that they would supper
lin. sS
Men from all walks of life were IL
that big crowd, including many farm
ers who came from distant towns o
Seth Mississippi to hear the Soutl
MS ssippi statesman.
Vigorous and long applause greete,
every patriotic utterance OF the SPEAK
CIR. ard when he referred to Presiden
wilson and his war program he wa
cheered. The greatest applause cam
when he said that he liked the bran
Of patriotism Indicated by a banne
carried by Confederate veteran dul
Eg . parade tn Washington, the ban
rer bearing the words, Damn the ma
who Is not for his country, right O
wrong" SeF
introduced by Sheriff.
Congressman Harrison was intr,
Auced by Sheriff A. Z. HARRISON, on
II the most popular officials in. Sout
Mississippi, and a former warm SUI
porter Of Senator Vardaman. In n
Producing the speaker of the evening
Sheriff HARRISON did not mince word
He said In part:
The honor thrust upon me tn
sve,;ing fills me with fear and treu
bling because i feel my inability [
suitably present to you the distinguish
I'd statesman who will address you.
II feel that IL is my duty to dive
for few moments on the things
have done in the past. In the la.
senatorial race was found in Il
trent ranks doing my bit for Jas.
VsrdAman. not because he was Yard
man, but because of what | the
b ought that he stood for. II was
p after OF principle with me and &
Ways seek to be guided by principl
= worked in the interest of Vardama
then when | could hope to gain !
personal reward. l never asked /
or OF him, and never shook hant
With him but once in my life. TIL
] did when Vardaman was living @
CT the best In the land and weariI
Great hats that cost more than l w
ale to pay for suit of clothes.
l)agft stock in The Issue ct JAG
son, and put up my money 10 furth
bis cause. | stood by Vardaman +
Years. hoping that my Judgment wou
lie indicated
7 received letter from the war d
psrtment regarding aiding the Cover
Gsnt In this war. My reply was tn
would give not only a part but all
Secessary of my time and money. al
even my life. in the cause. want
say to you tonight that the create
obstacles that have fallen in my W;
while was trying to do my bit I
my country have been utterances tn
havs fallen from the lips Of the iuni
senator from Mississippi. am gli
to Bsy that here many OF the psop