The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1917-02-16
on the Stone Resolution

vardaman on the Stone Resolution
The Weekly prints below the
speech of Senator James X. Var
daman delivered on the Stone
resolution in the Senate chamber
on February 9TH.
The resolution endorsing the
course of President Wilson in sew
ering diplomatic relations with
Germany was before the Senate
for adoption.
Mr.. Vardaman did not vote for
that resolution and his speech
lucidly explains to the country
why he did not. His was a cour-
ageous position occupied on lofty
and humane grounds.
His enemies have garbled,
playing upon such parts of that
speech as would serve their pur-
pose. and have colored it so as
to do him unfair political justice.
They have held up his disagree
ment with President Wilson on
a policy affecting the national
welfare as a disloyal act, and, in
this way. have sought to brand
him as deserter of his party and
a traitor to his country. Moth
ing could be more obviously false
than this characterization of Mr..
Vardaman. His disagreement
with the President does not in
volve the question of patriotism
at all, but is of deeper concern.
1t does not comprehend alone the
eiiIics ssshiiding 81 shielding the personal
executive dignity. but bears the
greater concern of statecraft to
conserve the national peace and
happiness of the American peo-
pie, if not of the whole world.
Patriotic men differ as to the
best methods of conserving the
national welfare; one may favor
war. another may counsel for
bearance to reach the ends of
peace and happiness-the motive
actuating their positions is the
only safe guide to Judge of their
patriotism.
The motives of both President
Wilson and Senator. Vardaman.
though the two men differ, are
equally patriotic in this instance
Weekly would as soon
question the patriotism of the one
as the Other-and it questions
neither.
The words of MIR. Vardaman
printed below vouch for his pa
tri0tism and that without surren-
der of his conscientious convic-
tions:
Mr.. Vardaman. Mr. President, a
grave responsibility rests upon every
of this body in the consid-
Grafton of the delicate question be-
fore the Senate. 1t is responsible
ity which can not be avoided, how
ever disagreeable it may be to meet
the issue. That the members of the
senate will rise equal to the demands
of the solemn situation the heroic
past OF our common country bids me
hope. The way to meet grave is
sue is not to blindly follow the pres
ident or anybody else. The respon-
sibilities of the Senate are equal and
with the responsibilities
of the executive. If | could be true
to my constituents and have the
of my own conscience and
avoid the responsibility of meeting
this question by simply referring it
to the President, l should be very
happy; but l can not do that. /
haye duty to perform which / alone
can perform. Nor can any other
Senator do it and be true to the cb-
legations of his place. To paraphrase
the language of another:
The American people honor the Sem
atOr wisely taught
Thst eerveth not anOther's will;
Whose armor is his honest thought,
And simple truth his utmost skill.
In that spirit l shall try to meet
the duties of the moment.
Mr.. President. if in the mysteri-
Gus providence of an All-wise God
war shall occur between the United
States and Germany, there will be
no division of sentiment or break in
the ranks of patriotic Americans in
defense of the Nations flag. / shall
do all within my power consistent
with honor and national self-reepect
to avert calamity of war. am sure