The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1917-09-07

CONGRESSMAN PAT HARRISON
from Mississippi. Commenting on this
note. which was approved by Americans
everywhere. Senator Vardaman had this
to say: "Ths suggestion IL mOnstrOus. II
Congress shall permit this country to be
drawn into war with Germany or any or
sons assigned by President Wilson in his
messages, the mcrlber thereof will de-
serve the eternal execration and final re-
pudiation of the American people. pro
test against such an indefensible act be-
ing committed in the name OF human
ity:" 1t was such utterances as these
and the assistance our junior Senator
was giving TO our enemies that led every
German paper in this country and many
in Germany to speak loud In their praise
Of him.
vardaman's Acts DIscredIted.
But in spite of the encouragement given
Germany by the junior Senator from Mis-
sissippi. and others. whose sympathies
We're the same as his. the imperial Ger
man government yielded to the demands
Of the President, admitted her inability
on a ruthless submarine warfare. and
agreed to conduct her submarine opera
tons with due regard to the rights of
neutrals. Again American rights were
President was applauded around the
world. But as Won Bethmann-H ollweg a
few months later said, German only
agreed to make these promises 50 that
thay might build more submarines" those
pledges were repudiated and another an
nouncement was made by Germany that
|: would continue to carry on a ruthless,
unrestricted submarine warfare. OF
course the nation was aroused, the Amer
lean people We're angered and indignant:
the press of The country clamored for
war. but Mr.. Wilson. with characteristic
calm and reserve, raised his hands to the
ella moring thronGs and pleaded with them
to be patient. He then came to Congress
and requested. not a declaration of war,
but a law that would give him authority
to arm the merchant vessels belonging to
citizens of this countr" that the lives and
PROPERTY Of our people might be pro-
The bill passed the House Of Represen-
tatives overwhelmingly. and went TO the
Senate, where in the closing hours of the
ing power. under the rules of the Sem
ate to strange legislation. opposed the
Measure and accomplished its defeat. OF
that. six, the junior Senator from Missis-
sippi was one VINO persistently. fought to
the will of the Am erican Con-
Eress He was not willing to let the
lrssaIy rs eTsau 1o w sssry , rfmed ds,,u nsfoG r.
law to pass only magnified in Ger
many the idea that the American people
We're not behind their President. 1t en-
them to further atrocities.
In the. meantime We were forced to
break off diplomatic relations with Ger
and our situation was rapidly grow
'ng more intnlerable. Germany's utter
disregard OF the rights Of neutrnIs and
her contempt for humanity led her into
charging her lawless operations More
81 our 81 were sunk, more q Y
War Problem Fought.
At last. when the outrages could no
nnger be endured this man who for
-hree years had patiently waited. hoping
hat Germany would yet allow us to re-
main at neace. saw there was no further
nope of settlements. he convened Con-
in extraordinary session and re-
he armed forces Of the nation. on land !
sea, in protecting the lives and prop
.rty of American citizens.
The resolution declaring that a state
4 war existed was passed through the
House Of representatives by an over
whelming vote. and in the Senate less
Of that NUMBER we find the junior SEN
,tor from Mississippi speaking and vOt-
ng against 1t.
This is the record Of the man who Mis-
his President and his government. And
is bad as that is, 1t was to be hoped that
liter the declaration OF war and the
country was involved in the most titanic
of all time. in which every re-
source must be organized to the highest
Joint OF efficiency, in order to combat and
IcSl III IlSIIy eIIlcient power OF Ger |
nan arms and German industry-that he
stand by the government and give
he commander-in-chief of the army and
his support and cooperation. In a
speech in the Senate he stated that he.
do that. and yet. my countrymen.
when legislation was necessary for raising
IN army to fight our battles and to win
he war. the Junior Senator from Missis-
iippi persistently refused to vote for the
passage OF a bill for the raising OF an
army. IT must he said to his credit. how
that Uyhsv. 81. IL
,orded his vote against other war meas /
Tres to which he was so much opposed, |
When the selective draft bill was passed
Hhich PHI he now holds Up for derision
ige to record a vote against 1t. but mere
y recorded himself as present and not
voting.
When it had been demonstrated tina.
airplanes was one Of the most necessary
md useful means Of waging the war and
mat a large number of them wou.u prob
success to the allies cause, the President
asked Congress to vote an appropriation
mat nat,,V Would ID Permit err the construction Of
Mas agreed upon by the military experts.
This bill passed the House of Representa-
ives unanimously. but when it got to the
senate the junior Senator from Mississip-
.i made a speech on the floor Of the
Senate and opposed the bill. /,
Patriotism Is Needed.
After the laws for raising an army
mad been passed and the boys were be-
ing modified in various sections OF the
country preparatory to taking ships for
France, the President requ ested Congress
TO pass a law that would prevent. among
other things, the newspapers from pub
news regarding the movement of
me troops. The President did not think
It was right, when we have 5000 boys on
a transport ready to sail fm France and
at some unknown port. that the
Iact should be published in the papers.
that Germany, through her spy system,
might obtain this information and the
general staff in turn send il
on the wings of the wireless telegraph
TO submarine commanders In order that
they might lie in wait and ruthIessIy :,
murder, those American boys. And yet.
when this bill reached the Senate, where
you and | would naturally expect unani-
nous approval Of its principles, the junior
from Mississippi was one Of the
number who raised his voice in opposi-
lion to 1t and assisted in defeating this
important part Of the legislation, .
My countrymen, every means should
be granted that will assist in bringing
success to our arms and the allied cause. I
II Is imperative that We should provide