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

right to discuss honest differences of
opinion.
Shall we ask the people to shut
their eyes and take the entire war
program on faith?" no asked. "The
way to paralyZe tho German arm Is
declare our objects in this war :'','
show that we are not seeking to die
tate form of government to Ger
many or to render England's domino
ti"' 'he seas more secure.
when tho 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
. lette gradually drew toward his Gus
tomary fire Of delivery, gesturing with
clenched fist as he referred to free
N and raising his voice at times
WIN 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
Objects" he declared "If we do not
expect to support them in the dreams
or 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 freest discus
sion before the people of every issue
involved, and that a plain and specific
declaration OF our purposes be speed
,, lily made by tho Congress-"
RECALLS CLAMOR FOR WAR
Senator La Toilette asserted that the
war party" besides carrying on n
campaign Of libel and character 90
sassination" against members Of Con
gress who voted against the war, was
attempting to suppress discussion of
war issues and intimidate the people
themselves by invading their homes
and unlawfully throwing them into
Jail"
Six members Of the Senate and as
| recall, about so members of tho
House voted against the declaration
or war; 20 said. Immediately there
was let loose upon those senators and
representatives flood Of inyectiye
and abuse from newspapers and indi
Vlduals who had been clamoring for
war, unequaled, l believe, in the his
loIy OIL civilized society,""
Senator La Toilette declared that
II he alone had been made the victim
OF these attacks he would not take the
Senatc's valuable time for their con
sideration.
PEOPLE INUNDATED, HE SAYS
But sir" he continued, at Ia not
alone the members of Congress that
the war party in this country has
sought to intimidate
1.-THE mandate has gone forth to tbo
sovereign people Of this country that
they must be silent while those things
are being done by their government
which most vitality concern their we'll
being, their happiness and their lives
For weeks past honest and law
abiding citizens Of this country arc
being terrorized and outraged IN their
rights by those sworn to uphold the
laws and protect the rights Of the
people.
II nave In my possession numerous
affldavits establishing the fact that
people are being unlawfully arrested,
thrown into Jail, held incommunicado
for days only to be eventually dis
charged without evas having been tax
on into court, because they have com
mltted no crime. Private residences
are being Invaded. loyal citizens Of
undoubted Integrity and probity ar
rested, cross examined and tho mo.
sacred constitutional rights guaran-
iced to every American citizen arc
being continually located.
!aEES .CAMPAIGNING .sERROR"
3Il, ..3I, .,sEt
1t appears 1 to the purpose of
those conducting this campaign to
throw tho country into a safe terror.
to coerce public opinion, to stifle
crlttci4m, and suppress discussion to
tho gEeat issues involved in this war"
In support OF his assertion that
Congress should speak for tho coun
try In declaring the purposes of war,
the senator cited precedents at great
length. WV
1T void be bad enough If the Con
stltution clothed the President with
any such power" he said, "but to ex
crosse such power without constitu-
tlonal authority cannot long be toll
Grated II 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 clothe
the President with power to plunge
thls country into war and then con
tinue the war as he desired"
ALLEGES VIOLATION OF FREEDOM
Senator La Toilette said no conyic
ZION was stronger with the people to
day than that there should be no flu
ture wars except in case Of actual in
vas1on unless supported by referendum
THE President has asked the Ger
man people to speak for themselves OH
this great world issue, why should
not the American people voice their
convictions through their chosen rep
resentatives in Congress?"
Emphasizing denial of FREQ speech,
Senator La Toilette added:
There has never been a time for
more than a century ard half when
the right Of free speeih and free
press and the right Of the people to
peaceably assemble for public discus