The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1917-12-13

sss creates. nation on earth. I have
heard slackers pirate about him TAX
ing orders from sbe president. We all
must do this or We are against our
government. II he had failed to CO
operate with the government and take
orders from the commanderin-chief
would now be condemning instead OF
commencing him.
Ladies' and gentlemen, l present TO
you this stslwart. red-blooded Amert
can citizen, who stands for all that n
best and highest in American ideals.
Hon., Pat Harrison. and am sure we
will all be as proud OF him when he
serves In the senate as we have been
during hts service in the lower house"
Applause Greets Speaker.
AS Congressman Harrison arose to
speak he was greeted by great ap-
Dlause. He began his address by
thanking the audience for the welcome
accorded him. lie referred to his past
congressional campaigns, speaking in
kindly terms of those who had opposed
him. In this connection he said:
Il never had cleaner gentlemen OPP
posing me than two of Hattiesburg.
lie said that all of his former oppo.
nents had been better friends since
his election than before, and expressed
the firm conviction that when the re-
turns OF Forrest county are counted in
August they will show a big majority
for me"
Throws "Eombsheii."
II was towards the latter part of his
address that Congressman Harrison
threw the "bombshell'' In the shape
OF letters passing between himself and
President Wilson He said:
Some OF the few newspapers that
are stu supporting the junior senator
have been very much concerned of late
because l am not IN the trenches in
France, or some other place far re-
moved from Mississippi So exercised
have they become over the matter that
they have misreprcsented me and criti-
cised me most severely
Here is a sample of the criticism
that Is being aimed at me and which
Is taken from an article that has been
going the rounds of the Vardaman
press:
HAS anyone heard Of even gen.
tie hint that Pat had offered himself
upon the altar OF his country TO make
the world free for democracy? Well.
not 80 you could notice it. No, the
records do not show nor will they show
anywhere or at any time that Mr.. Har-
rison has come to his country and
laid his services, his fortune. and his
life. IL need be. at her feet, although
possessing, as he does, splendid physi-
cal as well az mental qualifications
Il want to keep the records straight
as we 20 along in this campaign, and
am sure that is the desire of the
friends of the junior senator, although
they would no doubt prefer that his
record be mentioned and discussed as
little as possible. In order TO do this,
feel that IL Is necessary for me to
read you letter that l wrote the pres
ident the day he signed the war reso.
luton, and his reply thereto. When
wrote the letter to the president,
told no one, not Even my wife, about
it, dislike TO make this correspond
ence public now, and would not do so
were it not for the unwarranted i'm
pugDing OF my loyalty and patriotism
by the junior senator and some of his
alarmed friends.
81 read you the letters:
"'April 6, 1917.
"'Hon. Woodrow Wilson,
1.-THE White House.
"'My Dear Mr.. President.
In our controversy with the inn
perial German government your every
step has met my most sincere APPROX
al. Those OF us who unstintingly and
Loyalty co-operated with you know how
patiently and earnestly you strived to
maintain peace.
at Is war now. and because / have
stood with you In trying to preserve
peace with honor. and having failed,
want to do what | can for my country
in this emergency.
my situation is somewhat differ
emit from that of many, il not most Of
my colleagues. Some of them opposed
the war resolution; | was strongly in
favor Of II. Some of them are too old
for military dutuy; l am young and
healthy and able to bear my part.
while ! am married and have
three little ones. do not want that to
stand In the way of my duty to my
countrl. My services for whatever
they may be worth, In any capacity, at
any place, are yours to command.
Very sincerely yours,
lSigned) PAT HARRISON
April 9, 1917.
The White House,
Washington.