The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1917-04-19
NIGHT OF THRILLS
STIRRING SCENES WHEN THE
PRESIDENT MADE HIS APP
PEAL TO CONGRESS.
BLAZING LIGHTS AND FLAGS
Regular Troops Escorted Mr.. Wilson
and Guarded the Capitol, While
Great Throng of NotabIes Heard
Him Ask for Declaration of War.
BY EDWARD 3. CLARK.

W dSlllllS ION, NO one VINO was III lue
capitol city of his country on the night
that President Wilson made his appeal
to congress for declaration Of war
on a country that has invaded our
rights ever will forget the scene.
The night was black with clouds,
although rain was absent No one of
the thousands on the broad avenues
approaching the capitol knew, how
ever, that the sky was overcast. Wash
ington was ablaze with light and the
glory of flags with their stars shining
III the reflected glow Of the brightness
beneath.
The great dome of the capitol rose
marble white and beautiful above the
city. A score Of electric searchlights
made shining its surface and brought
clearly into the vision the form of the
haloed Goddess Of liberty.
For the first time in the history of
this nasion president Of the United
States when going 10 congress to at
tend a legislative session was accom-
panied and guarded BY an armed body
of regular troops. There was touch
Of war thus given to the scene before
the president had opened his lips to
address the lawmakers and to urge
chat authority be given him to arm
the nation to defend the right.
On other occasions in the past pres
idents of the United States have gone
to the capitol with guard of regular
soldiery. but these occasions have
been those Of ceremony only, such as
inauguratons, or the funerals OF men
great in the nations history, Presi-
dent Wilson is the first president of
The United States to ask congress di-
reetly by word of mouth for a dec
t8rati0n of war. In other cases a
transmitted message WIS depended up
m 10 move the lawmakers to their
duty.
Mounted Troops Guard Capitol.
The capitol VAS surrounded by
mounted troops. There had been ru-
mors all day that trouble might be
expected. \ paeiGst eut Of sympathy
With the ideals Of a great democracy
had assaulted II senator Of the United
States who from the first had stood
for Americanism There We're crowds
of pacifSts in town, Hine=tenths Of
whom were perfectly sincere in their
belief that there Is nothing worse. than
war and yet il vas more than suspect
ed that Incorporating under the ap-
pearance of pacttism were men, some
few men. bent on evil Tie guard of
regular troops about lie capitol was
placed there net without belief in the
sound judgment Of the act.
Never in Washington prior to the
epoehal night had anyone seen ambas-
sailors and ministers Of foreign coun-
tries occupying seats on the floor of
congress as guests during a legislative
session. When some American in
high public place dies and is honored
with a funeral on the floor of senate
or house, as has happened Il number
Of times in the past. the representa-
lives of foreign countries are invited
TO attend and to show their respect
and honor for the dead Never be
fore, however. when congress- was as
sembled in a business session have
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MS oo''H ioi Jus wa Ju''se
DAYS of the Civil war.