New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-29
Expel Him!


has adopted resolutions demanding the ex-
pulsion from the Senate of Robert NJ. La
Toilette. Many other organizations IN
Wisconsin are clamoring for relief from
the indignity of being represented IN the
upper branch of Congress by disloyalist
and an inciter of sedition.
Mr.. La Toilette is unwilling to resign.
The people of Wisconsin are powerless 10
recall him. But his commission may be
cancelled by two-thirds vote of the SEN
ate. That body has the right to rid itself
OF Objectionable characters. 1t should lose
10 time in exercising its prerogative. BY
expelling Mr.. La Toilette it would relieve
the country of an unfaithful servant, clear
the character of misrepresented loyal
state and set a much needed example OF
frmness in dealing with the Copperhead-
ism of to-day
The Senate has expelled Copperheads
before. In December, 1861, it elected John
C. Breckenridge, of Kentucky. His case
hardly runs parallel with Mr.. La Follette's.
Though representing a state which never
seeded. he cast his fortunes openly with
the enemy. He left Kentucky and became
a major general in the Confederate army.
Mr.. La Toilette is still with US and does not
contemplate joining the armed forces OF
Germany. The help he is giving to the
German cause is indirect He is not an
other Breckenridge. He is more nearly
another Jesse D. Bright. Bright repre-
sented Indiana in the Senate for many
years. He became infected with Copper
beadism. as many other Democratic lead
ers in Indiana were infected. He was ex-
nelled from the Senate in 1862 for having
expressed in writing what the Senate con-
strued as sympathy with the Confederate
cause.
Mr.. La Toilette has said that the United
States went to war with Germany on
petty provocation. He has spoken sheer
ingly of the governments motives in MAX
ing that declaration of American rights
On the high seas and Of its purpose to en-
force them which led directly to the rupt-
ure with Germany. He has echoed the
argument of the pro-German press that
the United States was more intent on pro-
noting the sale abroad Of munitions than
if was on indicating neutral rights. In
doing all these things he has hampered 70
the best of his ability our conduct OF the
war. He has pandered to the slackers and
the pacifists and given countenance to those
who think themselves morally justified In
lodging military service.
Congress has just passed law which
puts unprecedented powers in the hands
of the Postmaster General. He has been
created censor of seditious utterances in
printed form and is authorized to suppress
publications which, in his opinion, "ham-
per the government in making war" AS
Mr.. Burleson explained day or two ago,
no newspaper may hereafter impugn the
motives of the government in going to
war with Germany. 1t may not say that
N "the government got in the war wrong"
Mr.. La Toilette has said that on numer-
Nous occasions. Why should the Senate
pass law restraining the right of news
paper to utter this sort of sedition and
still leave one Of its own members free to
indulge in it? Is Mr.. La Toilette to be
allowed to circulate through "The Con-
gressional Record" at the governments
expense, utterances which would cause i'm
mediate suppression were they to appear
in a newspaper?
Let Congress be logical. Let it set its
own house in order now that it has given
such short shrift to sedition in the press.
Mr.. La Toilette has abused the public's
patience. He should be removed from
Office. If ne intends to preach and prac-
tlse Copperheadism, let him be compelled
to do it on the same terms and at the same
risk as other German sympathizers out
side Congress preach and practise it.