Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-04-02
TENSE EXCITEMENT
AS PRESIDENT SPEAKS
ON WAR SITUATION



ting befitting so cpochal a, national
drama was found at the capitol Of the
United States tonight when President
Wilson came to deliver his war mos
sage to the Sixty-Fifth congrefs.
The president had appeared before
congress more than dozen times within
the past four years, but about none Of
his former appearances had there been
the glamor, the thrill and the sober
display Of his visit to the war making
power tonight.
Two troops Of the Second cavalry
were on guard outside the house wing
Of the capitol silent centinels of pro-
lection, they moved in the shadows of
the capitol building or stood silhouetted
against the lamplight Of the big white
globes about the grounds. The khaki
Of their uniforms blended with the
blue Of many policemen, drawn from
every precinct of the city to do guard
duty while the president spoke. In the
crowd outside too, were the secret
service men in civilian clothes. When
lii became known that the president
would make a night visit to the capitol,
workmen were sent scurrying ACROSS
the grecnsward Of the eastern front.
They brought long boards with them
and high fence or barricade was
built across the wide steps Of the main
entrance to the house wing The work
men labored almost until the hour Of
the president S arrival aud when they
had concluded there was no possibility
OF any person entering except by the
narrow doorway that had been left
open, but heavily guarded.
From lighted dome TO basement, the
capitol building reflected life color
and history making activity. Two
great searchlights played upon the
dome and the surrounding statute OF
freedom. Underneath this statue hung
four great American flags, their colors
Respondent, inspiring. against the dark
ness of the night They could be seen
from afar and they carried story OF
patriotism.
In the early evening hours these
flags had flappcd lazily under a gentle
southern Breeze. As the hour for the
president IS arrival approached the skies
darkened and lowering clouds threat
ened. The gentle breeze increased TO
brisk one and the Stars and Stripes,
floating there in the glare Of the
searchlights, flapped with the virtility
of flags carried swiftly in battle.
Pacifists Are Present.
Little pacifist groups had stood about
the capitol steps all afternoon. They
remained, moved from post to post by
policemen as nightfall came. AS the
hour for the presidents arrival ncared,
they were shunted further back. NO
one was allowed near the police lines
as the bearer Of the war message drove
up to the capitol.
Feeling Is Tense.
Inside the big building wherein has
been enacted many stirring scenes,
there was a tcnseness feeling Of ex-
citement such as veteran legislators
have never experienced.
The very fact that the president had
chosen the night time to come 70
congress lent an additional touch Of
the dramatic to the unprecedented oe-
casion-the entrance Of the emitted
States into a world war
Galleries are JaWmeu.
The galleries Of the house wing were
iammed. The number Of tickets issued
was far ii excess Of the number Of
available seats because Of the unex
pected appearance Of the president who
had been scheduled to speak Tuesday
instead Of today.
For the organization ceremonies to-
day the house had issued white tickets.
For the presidents s visit tomorrow Che
hadn't decided then to come tonightl
red tickets had been distributed--one
to each senator and congressman.
Holders Of the white tickets who had
remained In the galleries throughout
the afternoon declined TO leave when
1t became known that the president in
tended to address congress tonight. The
galleries were about half filled when
this information came TO the capitol;
consequently the red ticket holders
were helpless.
A section Of the galleries had been
cleared for the wives Of senators. BE.
yond this the speaker Of the house was
not inclined to order the galleries emp
fn~~s!-s.na - or.o 49,