Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1918-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Duty Only Calls Him to France
Sees Early Peace

SVuhLy MOHuay III JOINT SeSSAon VI
Congress his reasons for going
abroad at the head Of the American
peace delegation.
The address was delivered under
the most remarkable circumstances
that have characterized his career
as spokesman before Congress. For
the first time he faced Senate and
House in which signs Of hostility were
plainly and Enthusiastically visible. For
the first time senators and represen-
tatives in his own party as well as in
the party of opposition sat silent and
unresponsive when attempts were
made to start applause. And the APP
plause when it did come was not the
generous and spontaneous outburst
of old.
The president was keenly conscious
Of the change. Those who watched
his face were quick to see the shadow
that fell across his features, the closer
drawing of the lips, the paling of the
cheeks. His voice, hsuky at the be-
ginning Of his address, was even
more husky as the last few words
were spoken.
BY his own statement, the presi-
dent goes abroad to enforce the ideals
of peace which were stated by him in
his address of Jan. last, and which
have been accepted by the allied gov
ernments as the true bases of the
peace settlements. Those ideals, he
said, are the ideals of the American
nation and Of the soldiers and sailors
who Joined in the great conflict. He
goes to the peace table to play his
''full part in making good what they
offered their life's blood to obtain"
The president does not intend to be
away long He treasured Congress
that the avenue Of communication
will be kept entirely open so that the
people may be kept fully advised of
all that is done at the conference,
and so that while away he may be in
constant touch with governmental
affairs here.
This is the substance Of what the
president said in that portion of his
speech relating to the trip abroad. 1t
was said at the conclusion Of the adj
dress which was in the form of an an
nual message to the Congress about
to take up the duties of the short
session. The few words that he said
regarding the trip abroad did not
compose more than one-tenth of the /
entire address.
The president laid before Congress
his legislative programme, including
the following subjects:
Reconstruction, regarding
which he urged measures to insure
employment for the returning sol
diers, the return as speedily as pos
sible Of business and industry to /;
their normal channels, and policy of
developing arid and swamp land so
that millions of acres now useless may
be thrown open to settlement.
Second-Financia assistance to
Belgium and northern France to aid
in their physical rehabilitation.
Third speedy enactment of the
revenue bill so that business may
know what burdens it win have to
carry in the coming two years.
Fourth Enactment Of the naval
programme for the building of dread
nought and cruisers during the COM
ing three years.
Fifth Railroad legislation to pro-
vide against the return of the rail-
roads to their owners under the old
conditions.
Extensions of the suffrage
to women in recognition of their ser
vice to the country during the war.
Seventh Ratification of the Colon
bian treaty.
1t was evident when the president
entered the hall to make his address
that among the Republicans there
was manifest a disposition to treat
the pfesidentas shabbily as they pos
sibIe could without transgressing the
bounds of actual courtesy. Not a
single Republican member Of either
house applauded when the president
was escorted to the rostrum. The ap-
plause was started on the Democratic
side and the president turned in that
direction and smiled his acknowl-
edgments. Then as he slowly allow
ed his gaze to turn to the Republican
side he saw the entire membership Of
that party standing silently and
quietly at attention.
Rock Carver Buried