Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1917-10-13
TIE RICHMOND PLANET, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

senator declared, but he claimed the
right to discuss honest differences Of
opinion.
Shall we ask the people to shu,
their eyes and take the entire war
program on faith?" he asked. "rhe
way to paralyzc the German arm is
declare our objects in this war .',-'
show that we are not seeking to die
tato form Of government to Ger
many or to render Englands domino
to" 'hc seas more secure.
when the objects Of this war are
clearly stated and the people approve
they will give popular support it will
never otherwise receive"
AS he proceeded Senator La Fol
lctte gradually drew toward his Gus
tomary fire Of delivery, gesturing with
clcnchcd fist as he referred to free
and raising his voice at times
with emotional emphasis. Nowhere.
| did he refer to the ST. Paul speech.
DEMANDS FULL DISCUSSION
Honest dealing with our allies al
so requires clear statement Of our
oDjccts.' he declared. "If we do not
| expect to support them in the dreams
! OF conquest that fact should be stated
and our people are entitled to know
that vitality important fact before this
war proceeds further.
Common honesty and fair dealing
requires the fullest and frcest discus
sion before the people of every issue
involved, and that plain and specific
, declaration of our purposes be speed
lily made by the Congress-"
RECALLS CLAMoR FOR WAR
Senator La Toilette asserted that tho
, war party" besides carrying on q
campaign OF libel and character -,
sassination" against members Of Con
greas who voted against the war. was
attempting to suppress discussion of
war issues and intimidatc the people
themselves by invading their homes
! and unlawfully throwing them into
Jail"
Six members Of the Senate and az
| recall, about so members of the
House voted against the declaration
OF war; &C said. Immediately there
was let loose upon those senator's and
representatives a flood Of invectivo
ana abuse from newspapers and indi
Nlduals who had been clamoring for
war, uncqualcd, believe. in the his
tory of civilized society"
Senator La Toilette declared that
II he alone had been made the victim
OF these attacks he would not take the
Scnatc's valuable time for their con
Sidcration.
PEOPLE INUNDATED, HE SAYS
But sir" he continued, "it Ia not
aionc the members Of Congress that
inc war party in this country has
sought to intimidate.
he mandate has gone forth to the
sovereign people of this country that
they must be silent while those things
are being done by their government
when most vitality concern their we'll
being, their happiness and their lives
FOR weeks past honest and law
abiding citizens of this country are
being terrorizcd and outraged in their
rights by those sworn to uphold tn,
laws and protect the rights OF the
people.
Il have In my possession numerous
alfldaVits establishing the fact that
people are being unlawfully arrested,
thrown into Jail, hold incommunicado
FOR days only. to bc eventually dis.
CHARGED without ever having been TAX
on into court, because they have com
mitteu no crime. Private residences
are being invaded loyal citizens OF
undoubtcd integrity and probity ar
rested. cross examined and tho mo
sacred constitutional rights guaran-
teed to every American citizen arc
being continually located.
SEES .CAMPAIGNING 'SERROR"
1T appears to the purpose OF
those conducting this campaign to
throw tho country into n safe terror,
to cocrce public opinion, to stiflc
crlticiHm, and suppress discussion to
the great issues involved in this war"
In support Of his assertion that
Congress should speak for the com
try in declaring the purposes Of war,
the senator cited prcccdcnts at great
length.
1T wou.L BIO bad enough if the Con
stltutlon clothed the President with
any such power" he said, "but to OK
crosse such power without constitu-
t'onal authority cannot long be toll
Grated If even the forms of free gov
eminent are to remain.
We know that the people would re
sist, and If necessary, resist with arms
IN their hands any scheme to clothc
the President with power to plunge
This country into war aud :hcn con
tlnuc the war as he desired"
ALLEGES VIOLATION OF FREEDOM
Senator La Toilette said no conyic.
ton was stronger with the people to
day than that there should be no fu-
ture wars except in case OF actual in
Vaslon unless supported by referendum
1.-THE President has asked the Ger
man people to speak for themselves on
this great world issue, why should
not the American people voice their
convictions through their chosen rep
rescntatives in Congress?"
Emphasizing denial OF FREQ speech,
Senator La Toilette added:
There has never been time for
more than a century and a half when
: the right Of free speeih and free
press and the right of tho Doonle IN