Evening journal., 1917-10-06
la Toilette IN
bitter Speech
DEFENDS SELF
By The United Press.

By The United Press.
WASHINGTON. Oct 6.-Senator La
Toilette today in spectacular speech
before the Senate, defed those in the
country who charge him with sediton
and treason. Denouncng the campaigns
Of libel and character assassination"
against men opposing war measures
he declared neither the clamor OF the
mob nor the voice OF power will turn
me-"
II was the flrst time a Senator ever
replied TO so serious a charge OF the
electorate. In drastic situations Il
ranked with the famous speech OF
Senator Lorrimer, Illinois, May %. 1910,
when he was charged with buying his
Senate seat.
La Toilette assailed the war party"
for trying 10 intimldate Congress and
the people and flercely defended free
speech. He demanded a statement OF
war aims.
Tho galleries were packed and the
Senate floor crowded when the Wiscon-
sin solon began his address. At flrst
he spoke slowly aud I'm deep voice
scarcely audible. Soon, however, he was
hitting his stride-waving his manu-
script in one hand. pounding on the
desks about him vigorously reatllrming
his position on the war.
Not by the breadth Of a hair" he
shouted, will turn from the course !
mark out for myself guided by such
knowledge as l can obtain and con-
trolled and directed by a solemn convlc-
ton Of right and duty Since the dec
laration Of war, the triumphant war
party has pursued those Senators and
Representatives who voted against wW
with malicious falsehood and recklessly
llbelious attacks, going to the extreme
limit Of charging them with treason
La Toilette said. Il have before me
newspaper clippings, some OF them
libels against me alone, some directed
as well against other Senator'S. One OF
these newspaper reports, most widely
circulated, represents a Federal Judge as
saving in a charge 10 grand jurors that
certain distinguished Senators, among
whom ] have TO be Included, should be
stood up against a wall and given what
they deserve'-implylng, Of course, that
we should be shot. II this were a single
or exceptional instance OF defamation |
should not trouble the Senate with a
reference 10 It.
II nnd other Senators accused Of tho
highest crime Of which any man can be
guilty-treason and disloyalty with no
evidence TO support the accusation, but
without the suggestion That such evil
dence any where exists.
But Il is not alone members OF Con
gress the war party In this country
has sought 60 intimidate. The man
date has gone forth TO the sovereign
people that they must be silent while
those things are being done by their
government which most vitality con-
Germ their well being their happiness
and their lives. Today and for weeks
past, honest and law-ablding citizen:
OF this country are being terrorized and
outraged In their rights by those sworI
TO uphold the laws and protect tn
rights of<the people.
Private residences are being In
vaded, loyal citizens Of undoubted in
tegrity and probity arrested, cross ex-
amlned and the most sacred const-
tutional rights guaranteed TO every
American citizen are being oondnu-
ally violated.
It apepars to DO the purpose OF
those conducting this campaign TO
throw the country into a state of
terror, to coerce public opinion. to
stife criticism and suppress discus
sion Of the great issues involved in
this war.
al think all men recognize that in
time OF war the citizen must surrender
some rights for the public good. But the
right 20 control their government, ae-
eordiug 70 constitutional forms, is not
one Of the rights that the citizens Of
this country are called upon TO surrender
in time Of war
"Rather IN time Of war the citizen
must be more alert TO the preservation
Of his right to control his government.
He must be most watchful Of the en-
croaehment Of the military upon civil
power. He must beware OF those prects-
dents in support Of arbitrary action by
administration officials which excused on
the plea Of necessity in war time. be-
came the fixed rule when the necessity
has passed.
More than an, tho citizen in war
time must retain his right OF free
speech. believe 7 am now touching
upon me most important question in
.ne countryside right OF the citizens
70 discuss IN an orderly way, publicly
sno frankly ana without fear the Plat
, os ana through their publications
S s.l ever important phaze OF this war
rs causes, the manner in which -
should be conducted; terms nnon
winch ,,, peace should be made The he he
nel becoming Widespread IN this lsod
mat this most fundamental r,sh 'sNI ~
being denied citizens OF this co,,o,I y
Is fact the tremendous sirni0eanos,
OF which those in authority have ny
yet appreciated" "o
La Toilette said that any man VII,
seeks to limit the right OF the pooni
TO make their will known to the 70,
eminent between elections \
speeches, writings OF petitions ain
a blow OF the most vital part OF OF
government"
La Toilette then laukc hed into
criticism OF Congress for failing
exercise its power 70 declare Il
purpose and objects Of the war"
POSTPONE MEETING ON
WET Ann my DFRl1