Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-09-21
w. II. BurweU Addresses
Hancock SeLectm1en and
Defends Mem Army LAM
Former Speaker in Address
at Sparta Barbecue, De-
CIared That Both Watson
and Hardwick Urged War
Especial Dispatch to The JournaD

county Is sending her first soldiers of
freedom" to Camp Gordon with a ring
ing Godspeed.
| Assembled at a barbecue in the town
of Sparta this afternoon, the quota Of
selectmen who will uphold the honor of
! this county, their state and their coun-
| try overseas, listened to William H.
| Burwell, former speaker Of the house OF
representatives and the present repre-
sentative from Hancock in the state
| legislature, deliver to them a patriotic
address that was cheered to the echo.
In forceful and inspiring language,
Mr.. Burwell defended the selective serv-
ice law, excoriated it's opponents and
paid a splendid tribute to the youths of
Hancock county who stepped forward
and registered to the last man on June
| the 9Th.
we had as we'll understand here and
now the magnitude of this war" he de-
clared, "and that In order TO carry 1t
through to a successful conclusion ev-
cry one of us will be called upon. wheth-
er willingly or unwillingly, to make
numberless sacrifices and to give up
much in material things as well as from
the sentimental side of life that we
deeply cherish.
PRAISES THE LAW.
Mr.. BurweIl recited the history of the
selective service law, describing 1t as
the fairest. the wisest and the best
means of securing for immediate and
adequate service the army that is nee
essary for this emergency"
Without hesitation" he asserted, 81
do not believe that in all the records
OF man-made laws there is wiser or
juster law than that under which
these young men have been summoned
to the colors.
MANY aRttators" declared Mr. Bur-
we'll, now complain that the war was
unnecessary. that 1t is a rich mans
war, that IL is war of the president,
and the thousands of other malicious
falsehoods that have been circulated 10
influence our people and arouse their
hostility. But cannot conceive and
do not believe that there is single In
| teIligent being within the sound of
my voice or within the borders of our
country who does not down in his heart,
know that the declaration of war by
our government upon the outrageous
and brutal German autocracy was
thing that could not be avoided without
the very destruction of the government
of national honor"
ar. Burwell drew the deadly paral-
lei" on Thomas E. Watson to show
that only a year ago. in the presidential
campaign, Mr.. Watson was reviling
President Wilson for not declaring war
on Germany.
Said Mr.. Burwell:
After the election Watson continued
his assaults and, on March 18th of this
year, just eighteen days before the res
olution declaring a state of war to eX-
list with Germany was adopted by con-
gress, in the Jeffersonian he demanded:
HE QUOTES WATSON.
If a single vessel of ours is sunk
in violation of the laws of nations
join the entente allies! Send money,
men and munitions to France, ana
bend every energy of this great
republic to aid those who are trying
to crush the Prussian ideal: That
the only law is military necessity to
be judged by the Prussian mill
tarist.
do you catch that? Watson demand
ed Of the president that if a single ves-
sci was sunk to send money, men and
| munitions to France! Yet his chief at
| tack has been on the act of the president
in sending money, men and munitions to
| Francei
Mr. Burwell then turned his atten-
| ton to Thomas w. Hardwick, the junior
Georgia senator.
Like Watson" said Mr. Burwell, The
/ admits the necessity OF the war for. on
the 4th day of last April. on the floor
of the senate of the United States, he
used these words:
The resolution pending must pass
| not because the congress of the Unit
cd faG nf arfaa 10
war, but because war under the cir
cumstances which confront us is an
! imperative and absolute necessity
We go to war not for finespun the
cries, not for any other purpose or
any other cause on earth except one,
and that is that peaceable American
citizens enjoying their peaceable and
! legitimate business upon the high
| seas have been murdered in cold
| blood by the organized agencies of
an established government. This
| government will be unable to live
among the nations of the earth I'M
less it vindicates it's right to do so
by discharging the first duty that
rests upon nation and that is to
protect its citizens.
| And again, on this same day he said.
speaking of the German government:
They will find in the prosecution
of this war, which is demanded by
the national honor. behind our presi-
dent and behind our government, a
united and militant nation.
Citizens of Hancock county, men and
women, in the light of his persistent
and untiring effort to repeal the very
law that creates your armies, to re-
strain this government from sending
| soldiers to the trenches in France to
aid the allies. as his partner, Watson
| demands; and in his every other act
to embarrass, hinder and belittle the
president in the prosecution of the war,
In the light of all these thinks 1 ask
| you: In Gods name. has Billy Hard
/ wick kept this pledge?
/ Using his own words, has he stood
/ as demanded by the national honor. he
hind our president and behind our gov
eminent militant force in the prose-
| cution of this WARP"
Referring to the claim from certain
quarters that the selective service law
| is unconstitutional, Mr.. Burwell said.
REPLIES TO CRITICS.
why, my friends, the statement Of
! the question is its answer
| Where is there a line in the copsti-