The Tupelo journal., 1917-11-30
CITIZENS OF OKOLONA
CONDEMN SISSON

The recent speech OF congressman
Il. u Sission of Okolona seems 70
have stirred the people Of that town
to resentment. The following COM
munication has been received by Inc
Commercial Appeal, with the request
that it be printed. The resolutions
were adopted at mass. meeting held
Thursday night following the con-
CHEESEMAN'S address. They appear N
full below:
Whereas, The Commercial APP
peal Of Sunday, the 18th inst, pub
lished an item from Okolona under
the heading "Sisson at Okolona,
stating that Mr.. Sisson spoke to "a
large and appreciative audience
Thursday night, etc, and
"Whereas, we desire to correct any
impression that might be conveyed by
said article that the patriotic and 10y
al citizens of Okolona approved OF
the sentiments expressed by Mr.. Sis
son, we take this method OF putting
ourselves on record.
1--WE disapprove and condemn the
labored effort of Mr.. Sisson to un-
dermine the confidence that we re-
pose in the president of The United
States, by going back TO the Farm
Loan Bank Bill and arguing that the
president made mistakes IN advocat-
ing certain sections of that bui. and
therefore there was no duty imposed
on any representative of the people
to support the commander-ln-chlef,
even in time of war,
eve condemn his oft repeated cx-
preston, 1T makes me tired for peo-
pie to be telling me to stand by the
president.
"We condemn his citicism of the
selective service law, and his effort
to Justify the vote against the tlnal
passage of the military bill, because
of the Kahn amendment, even with
the country at war.
"And more especially do we con-
denim his encouragement of opposl-
ton and resistance to the selectlVe
draft. bv contending that said law IS
unconstitutional; that the United
States government has no right to
send drafted or selected men to
France to fight. and arguing that, y
~ icing tie issrsse,sts Is & afs'''1'
inc its citizens Of their natural and
unalienable rights.
eve condemn his attributing IN
worthy and selfish motives TO the
general staff Of our army and navy
in their conduct Of the war.
"And, whereas. the elected repre-
sentative Of this congressional dis
triet has come IN our midst, under
the euise of answering the call oil the
president to inform the people as to
the cause Of the war, and has taken
advantage Of this opportunity to give
utterances to sentiments and express
sions that, in our judgment, are m
sulting to all true patriots; therefore,
aBe it resolved by the people OF
Okolona, in mass meeting assmebled'
That we denounce and condemn the
above mentioned sentiments express
ed by our representative IN congress
and declare Mr.. Sisson wholly unfit
to represent the loyal citizenship OF
this congressional district in the ma
tional congress.
'We hereby express anew our con-
fdence in Woodrow Wilson, the great
est man who las ever occupied the
presiden' chair, and pledge to our
brave tio have willingly offered
their heir government our con
timed holehearted devotion and
#suppo
"N lemn any word, thought
or de It tends to discourage
those ed to reinforce them, or
discred le righteous and just cause
for whit 4 they are fighting.
The resolution was signed by:
Rev. A. L. O'Briant, S. E. Adams,
j. D. SAMSON, A. g. Rowe,
H. l.. Morrison, W. E. Nichols,
~ f. Edens. H. Bean,
Rev. R. L. Gillon, W. R. McDuffie
o. Thompson, w. A. Taylor,
w r. Quinn. III. M. Knox,