The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1917-03-16

rancy. my sense Of justice will moi
permit me to indulge in the luxury
of denouncing those who differ from
me. The Congress is a coordinate
branch of this government. IT.
power is plenary in the matter o.
regulating its own acts and prescrib.
ing rules of conduct. 1t has rights
and prerogatives of the highest or
der and it would be unfortunate if il
shouldyield those rights to co-ordi
nate branch of the government. The
Congress should guard with Jealous
eye any effort to abridge or trench
upon these prerOgatives. Personally
,, do not take orders in the perfor-
nance OF my official duties from
any man or set of men outside OF
the State of Mississippi. to whose
people / am indebted for the COM
mission / hold in this body. If ]
know my own heart. l have no pur-
pose, ambition or desire in the per-
formance of the functions of my of
fee here other than to promote the
public good. Recognizing my own
limitations, | make it rule to con-
slider we'll the opinion of others, for
l have faith in the wisdom of num-
bers. By the attrition of ideas and
friction of suggestions. the eternal
truth will be evolved. | think the
safest guide to the statesman is the
wisdom extracted from the exper-
fences of all the people. and applied
in legislation for their benefit. /
am in favor of free and ample dis
cussion of all public questions in the
Senate, and after that l am also in
favor of an honest vOte-a vote that
registers the patriotic, intelligent
senatorial will. / have never en-
gagged in a filibuster since l became
a member of this body, and during
the consideration of this particular
measure, which /, with others, are
charged with smothering. and for
which we have brought upon the de-
voted heads of Senators the savage
and indelicate criticism by the pres
ident, | want to say that did moth
ing by word or mouth, thought,
counsel, or suggestion to delay or
prevent vote upon that measure.
While-I was opposed to it for the
reason l believed that no good would
come to the American people by its
adoption, l was fearful that war
would be brought on with Germany,
human lives sacrificed. hearts brok-
en-. billions of dollars expended. and
in addition to the sorrows that would
cloud the homes, the burden OF tax
alton that would be placed upon
posterity staggers the Imagination.
And whatever may be the. motives
of the president. | am willing to
concede to him the highest altruism
and most exalted patriotism. but
that will not change the consequent
ces. The motives behind the deed
will not mitigate the sufferings of
war,
The beneficiaries of war and the
ones who are responsible for this ag-
itation are the rich few in the con-
gested centers who have made their
billions of dollars out of the unfor-
tunate conditions in Europe, and
their desire is to make billions more.
Notwithstanding the possibilities of
the dangers that might grow out of
the passage of this measure, l have
in the Senate continuously
since it met in January. and during
the latter days Immediately preced-
ing final adjournment l was in the
Chamber night and day. assisting in
every way possible, as Senators on
this side Of the Chamber will testify,
in the maintenance of quorum and
the promotion of the business of the
Senate. l did not sign the so-called
round robin" for two reasons: First
because was oppo osed to the SEN
ate bill; and, second, l doubted the
of such a measure. 1 re-
gard it as somewhat demagogic in
and not in keeping with the
dignity of the Senate. Now. / want
to say in conclusion, Mr.. President.
that no act of mine, either Of COM
mission or omission, was response
BILE in the failure Of getting vote
on the presidents program before
Congress adjourned. l make this
statement in the interest Of truth,