Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-07

has gone forth to tho sovereign peo-
pie OF this country that they must be
silent while those things are being
done by their government which most
vitality concern their well-being, their
happiness and their lives. To-day. and
for weeks past. honest and law abiding
citizens OF this country are being ter
rorized and outraged in their rights
by those sworn to uphold the laws
and protect the rights OF the people.
have in my possession numerous at
fldavits establishing the fact that peo-
plo are being unlawfully arrested,
thrown into jail, held incommunicado
for days. only to be eventually dis
charged without ever having been
taken to court. because they have COM
mitted no crime. Private residences
are being invaded. loyal citizens OF
undoubted integrity and probity ar
rested, cross-examined. and tho most
sacred constitutional rights guaran-
teed to every American citizen arc be-
ing continually violated.
TO STIFLE CRITICISM
AND SUPPRESS DISCUSSION
ut appears to be the purpose of
those conducting this campaign to
throw the country into n state Of ter
ror, TO coerce public opinion. to stihe
criticism and suppress discussion to
tho great Issues involved in this war"
Besides quoting at length from the
American statesmen who opposed bit
terly President Folks policy in the
Mexican war, the Wisconsin Senator
gave extracts from speeches by Burke,
Fox. Lord Chatham and others in the
British Parliament attacking Great
Rrt fpt N
colonies. He said no did 1t to show
that tho principle of FREQ speech was
no new doctrine born OF tho Constitu-
ton of the United States.
In support Of his assertion that Con-
gress should speak for the country In
declaring the purposes Of war, me
Senator cited presidents at great
length.
Tt would be bad enough II the Con-
stitution clothed tho President with
any such power" no said, but to exer-
else such power without constitutional
authority cannot long be tolerated IL
even the forms of free government
arc to remain. We know that the peo-
pie would resist. and II necessary re-
sist with arms In their hands, any
scheme to clothe the President with
power to plunge this country into war
and then continue thu war as long as
he desired"
Senator La Toilette said no convic-
ton was stronger with tho people to-
day than that there should be no future
wars, except in case of actual invasion,
unless supported by referendum.
NO UNITY OF OPINION
IN THIS COUNTRY
And" he added, because the,e ia
no cleorness of understanding, n unity
OF opinion in this country en- the part
OF the people as to the conditions upon
which we are prosecuting this war or
what tho specific objects are. upon the
attainment Of which tho present adj
ministration would DO willing to con-
clude peace. 1t becomes still moro
imperative each day that Congress
should assert it's constitutional power
to define and de,lare the object, Of
this war. which will afford the basis
for conference and for the establish
ment OF permanent peace. TIL. Prcsi-
dent has asked the German people TO
speak for Themselves on This great
world Issue. why should not the Ameri-
can people voice their convictions
through their chosen representatives. In
ConEress2'