The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-04-26
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 20

WASt11NG1ONp u. u, April 20
The first time that Congressman Stu
art F. Reed addressed the House was
upon the occasion of the passage of
The war resolution. His speech was
delivered after midnight, but was not
wanting large and appreciati@e au-
dience. for the galleries were packed
But it Is only in the latest copy of the
Congressional Record that the speech
IS given in full, as Mr. Reed withheld
1t for revision and correction. 1t is
a typical Reed speech, Astounding in
eloquence, apt metaphor, interesting
history apd above all, high-class
piece of oratorical literature.
Here are two characteristic para
graphs from the Third district rep
reprative's first speech:
"A distinguished gentleman has
just referred to that dramatic occa-
sion when the sailors and mariners
of the several nations left their bat
tleships and marched to the ancient
capital OF China to rescue the lega-
tons from the Boxer madness. All,
that was great procession, with the
American marines marching at the
head of the column; and 1t makes the
blood course faster in my veins, as /
remember, and history records, that
when the rescuers neared Paking,
that ancient, walled capital of. China,
there rushed ahead of the naval
forces Of the world, Cal Titus, West
Virginia boy with his mothers Bible
in his pocket, who climbed the old
wall and was the first to plant Old
Glory on the top, a harbinger of
rope, an apotheses of liberty and vic
tory to all the world. (Applause). l
am sure you would expect West Vir-
einia to be loyal in the future as she
tas been in the past"
Aud this, the peroration of SPLEEN
cid speech:
"Ah, my friends, there is some
thing more in this war now than &C.
curing indemnity for a few American
merchantmen that have been sum-.
Something more than dollars some
thing more than the profits of NUM-
ton makers and greater than keep
ing unobstructed the pathway of the
seas. 1t is grander than the things
we nave spent most time in discus
sing today. Victor Hugo once said
that in the sweep of the ages there
come times when events constitute
the hinges upon which the centuries
swing. Such hinge is being made
today. America is getting ready to
help tnaugurate new era in which
the insidious doctrine of the divine
right of kings" shall be taken from
the book of civilization and written
on the page of retrogression."
The vote of the West Virginia dele
cation in the House las between the
volunteer and "selective conscrip-
ton" features of the military bill, IT
Is more than probable, will find all
except woodward, of the Fourth, sup
porting CONSUMPTION. However, Lit
tlepage's POSITION is in doubt, but 1t
Is believed that, although heretofore
known as favoring voluntary service
this is said to have been the reason
why he was not reappointed a mem
Der OF the committee on military af-
fairs of the present Congress), 1t is
believed that the stand by the Pres
tdent" argument will be effective In
lining him up as It has consistently
done heretofore. For the first time
In his career here Nicely. of the First,
Will part company with organized Ia
Dor in his district. with which ele-
ment he has heretofore always stood, |
and vote for CONSUMPTION. Cooper
OF the Fifth, is outspoken in favor of |
1t and has been from the first. Reed
is understood to favor 1t, and also
Bowers, Of the Second, although the
latter Is keeping his own counsel AS
q matter OF fact, it may be stated that
there isn't an enthusiastic and ardent
"selective CONSUMPTION" man on the
delegation.
The sentiment in West Virginia.
SO far as It may gagged from the cor
respoudence received, indicates ma
1ortty sentiment favorable to giving
the volunteer plan q tryout first. That
from Mr.. woodyard's district shows
an overwhelming sentiment IN favor
OF the volunteer plan. Mr.. Reed has
received very. little advice about It
49, - f,l,-sft