The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1918-12-06
Half Sullen and Lukewarm
Body Hears Much Her
aided Address.
EMBARRASSING SITUATION
Republicans Sat UnmOved While
President Wilson Spoke of
Proposed Trip to Peace Con
ference.

Washington, Dec. 5.-President
Wilson met new experience whel
he appeared before congress Mon
day. Reading his annual message
before Joint session of the tw
houses the President failed to re
ceive the acclaim and general ap
plause Of previous occasions. He
encountered a congress with man,
openly exhibiting hostility while 9TH
ers were plainly engaged in manu-
featuring enthusiasm.
II the President did not sense the
difference he was probably one of the
few persons unaware Of the chilly
atmosphere. Newspaper men and
Others who have seen the President
deliver more than dozen messages
TO congress regarded the situation
as unique and embarrassing
Practically the entire Republican
side sat unmoved while the Prs
dent spoke. The applause there
when he entered and departed from
the chamber was of the perfunctory
sort, apparently attaching to the Of
fee Of the distinguished spokesman
in the house chamber. On the Dem
ocratic side there we're many mem
bers of the senate who rendered
grudging tributes. or none at all.
The applause among Democrats O
the house was more general This
was largely due to the efforts Of
Representative Tom Hefiin, OF Ala
bama, who seemed to have the role
OF administration cheer leader,
Presidents Reception Lukewarm.
Even the partisan chronicler of
the days events must regard the
Presidents reception as lukewarm
on the whole.
Republican disapproval OF tn
Presidents course in going abroa,
and his neglect to take members O
congress into his confidence. put \
damper upon the entire assemblage
This disapproval is by no means con
fined to the Republican membership
of congress. but the Democrats as a
views
The different receptions accorded
the President was regrettable from
more than one angle 1t came Just
before the President sails for the
peace conference, to which he should
go with the plaudits of the entire ma
tion echoing in his ears. 1t suffered
severely by contrast with the ac-
claim given the President when he
appeared before congress less than
month ago and read the harsh ar
mistice terms accepted by Germany
and announced that thus the war
comes to an end"
Half of Congress i'm SuIlen Mood.
When the President appeared a
the capitol on that occasion thu
scene was a memorable and inspir
ing one. With few exceptions mem
bers of congress were unstinted in
the appreciation. Monday the Pres-
dent found half OF congress reveal
ing a sullen mood and the other half
accentuating that sullenness by at
tempting to stage demonstrations
comparab BILE to those of former oc-
casions.
Unquestionably il was embarrass
ing to the Presidents friends. AMI
probably to Mr.. Wilson, to note that
while about one-third or one-half o
the legislators present arose and in
terrupted his message by applause
the remainder OF the legislative as
semblage was sulking.
The Republicans. both OF the sen
ate and house. sat stolidly in their
seats, with arms folded or inert and
with no animation or appreciation
showing on their faces. Quite a mum
Der OF the Democratic senators were
apathetic and left to their more emo
tional house brethren the staging OF
intermittent demonstrations In Mr.
Wilson's honor.
II was noted for instance that
Senator Martin, OF Virginia. Demo
cratic leader OF the senate. showed no
enthusiasm during the Presidents ,
address. Upon occasions he con
versed in whisper with Senator
Lodge, ranking Republican OF the