New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-21
Senator Johnson's Purpose
Senator Johnson said

Senator johnson said
"The design that | have in speaking
in general terms TO this measure, IN
voicing my opposition to the rates
that are in this measure, described I'M
der certain captions, is that ultimately
we may do that which IS best for all
the people 81 The nation, and that be-
hind the line of trenches which Will
be ours in the near future we may
have a contented people, a people not
irritatcd by any sense of injustice or
inequality in taxation, and That hnally
we may not only conscript the blood
of this nation, but we may conscript
the part Of the wealth of this nation
that is ironed out of its blood.
81 recognize, just as all Senators
and Just as all our people recognize
to-day, the herculean and stupenjous
task which we have undertaken-a
task that in all the history Of this
world never has been undertaken be-
fore. Not only-do We, the great
democracy of the world, go forth to
fight the greatest military power on
earth, but we have undertaken as we'll
to finance in part every nation at war
with this great military power. We
have undertaken, too, TO supply the
foods and fuels and munitions to all
of those at war with the Ieutonic
powers.
Meaning of the Embargo
eve have undertaken, by embargo
against the neutral nations OF the
earth, to prevent foods, fuels, NUM-
tions and necessities going TO any OF
cur enemies; and, beyond that, we
have undertaken, in this great adven-
ture of ours, to augment when neces-
sary, the waning man-power of our
allies, who are now locked in death
struggle with the Central Powers of
Europe-and undertaking, | say again,
greater than that which history has
vet recorded; an undertaking Of more
stupendous consequences than any
country mas ever yet seen INT to enter
upon. -.-.
not alone vision of the line OF baule,
not alone thought concerning what
shall be done upon the firing line, not
alone to march to the red resentment
of the guns, but we require as well,
steady thought and undimmed vision
of our domestic policies. 1t is neces-
sary. too. that we should remember
that this democracy Of ours is, after
all, the paramount thing IN the
struggle in which we now engage; ana
naught should be done by the Con
| gress of the United States that VIII
render that democracy our democracy
at ome-discontented or irritable, or
by any unequal, unjust ot unfair la"
cause unrest.
"With a boundless enthusiasm, Sen.
ators, we conscrpted in very brief
period, the youth Of this land. win
an enthusiasm that would brook no
| delay on the part of any Senator on
! this floor. or of any man IN all inns
nation, we took our youth ana sent
that youth forth TO fght for this ma
| ton. and to die, IL necessary, upon a
| foreign soil. | ask that you have the
same enthusiasm for conscripung inc
wealth of the nation to-day to stand
! behind the lads that have gone forth
| to fight our battle over the seas.
No Interference with Business
ain asking this Of you ! ask naught
! that interferes with legitimate enter
prise or with going business concerns
/ / ask that you do that upon which IN
your enthusiasm you insisted when
| YOU told us that every boy in this lana
should be Immediately drafted and
sent forth to fight for his country, FOL
low the example and experience of our
ally over the sea. ! ask that you con-
script your war profits, and ] ask a
response ready to the experience OF
Britain as you gave in conscripting our
! youth.
"Those who coin the blood OF war
are the ones best able to pay the ex-
pense of war. Those who make swollen
war profits out OF this particular ext
gency are those who ought to pay for
the cost Of this war. 1t is indeed to
lac quite trivial thing to take from
the swollen fortunes that have come
from war in the last couple Of years
the little moicty that this bill. by the
majority report, takes.
"The war profits are derived from
the war and the war alone. Let the
war cease the first day Of December
next or within the next year and the
war profits then cease. l. u wise
ito ,y,o ms hin tharpfore IN look 10 a