The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1918-05-14
HEAVY PENALTIES ARE
IN THE SEDITION MEASURE


intended to incite, provoke or en-
courage resistance to the United
States, or to promote the cause of its
enemies, and wilful display of the
flag of any enemy nation
Another important provision would
punish statements designed to cur
tail production of war necessities, or
the teaching or advocacy of any of
the prohibited acts in the measure,
while another general and broad pro-
vision makes the penalties apply to
those who by word or act support
or favor the cause of any country
with which the United States is at
war or by word or act oppose the
cause of the United States therein"
Power to Bar Mail.
Another section of the bill, which
was the most vigorously attacked in
the senate, provides that, if the post
master general deems any mail vio-
lative of the espionage Laws as
amended by the bill, he may with
hold it from addresses. Another
clause provides for dismissal of fed
eral employees committing any dis
loyal act or uttering disloyal re-
marks.
One of the chief controversies in
the senate was over elimination by
the conferees of the France amend
ment providing that the bill should
not apply to truthful statements
made with good motives-the general
libel law. Senator France, of Mary
land, its author, and Senator John
son, of California, led the fight to
retain the amendment, declaring it
would preserve constitutional liberty
of speech and the press. 1t was op-
posed by the department of justice,
however, as a burden in obtaining
convictions.
Many senators vigorously attacked
the measure on the ground that it
limited the freedom of speech and
extended the mail censorship pow
ers of the postmaster general.
Hardwick in Opposition.
Senator Hardwick was among
those who voted against the bill. In
a speech in opposition to the measure
the Georgia senator stated that the
bone of contention in the conference
had been the amendment of Senator
France, of Maryland, which the sem
ate had adopted and which provided
that no man should be found guilty
under the terms of the act for print
ing or saying what is true or which
was printed or uttered for good or
justifable ends.
This feature, Senator Hardwick
said, was adopted by the senate in
good faith and should remain in the
bill.
Il have not thought that we could
gain any strength or efficiency for
the prosecution of the war itself by
disregarding and reversing our own
processes" he said; ION the contrary,
/ have believed, and l still believe,
that the very reverse is true, and,
while the record is not yet fully made
up, l believe my view is being vindi-
Gated every day with astonishing and
increasing force. / have not thought.
in order to win the war, it was nee
essary to either abridge or destroy
American liberties. On the contrary,
| believe the very reverse is true.
Answerable to His Constituency.
Mr.. President, for my vote on
these measures and on each Of them
l am answerable to the sovereign con-
stituency whose commission | hold to
this body, and to it alone. Other than
that constituency, | have no master.
acknowledge none and obey none.
Upon each measure that comes be-
fore the senate l must and will con-
tlnue to vote as my conscience and
judgment dictate, strive to do the
right and avoid the wrong, as God
gives me the light to see. Such must
be my course so long as I remain a
member of this body. Service here
under any other conditions or under
any other terms would be impossible.
My power and authority as a senator
from Georgia | can never delegate
or surrender to anybody on this
earth. My responsibility for my con-
duct and my votes | can never shirk
or pass on to another, be he president
of the United States or what not.
Georgians to Decide.
"The people of Georgia are soon
TO pass on my stewardship OF this
great Office and to their decision,
when it is rendered and whatever it
may be, | shall bow in contented
submission If they approve of my
views and indorse my positions, as /
confidently believe they viii, l shall
endeavor to continue to fight their
battles and to do my best to advance
their interests and to protect their
liberties. At the same time shall
endeavor to do my whole duty by the
people of the United States and shall
give to the country the benefit of my
honest and independent judgment on
each question that l am called upon
to consider. If the people of Georgia
do not approve my course l shall
cheerfully and willingly lay down the
burden of Office and shall wish for
whoever they select to succeed me
a career of honor, vigor and useful
ness here; but so long as l am here.
while policies are being formulated
and before they crystalline into law,
/ shall continue to give my constit-
uency and to the country, as fear
lessly as l can, the benefit of my own