Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-05-14
HARDwICK HAS BROKEN
HIS SOLEMN PLEDGE

that high duty.
HARDwICK HAS BROKEN
HIS SOLEMN PLEDGE
In the course of that debate Sen
ator Hardwick said this:
Senators, you will find that the
sons of Dixie will occupy once more
their old proud place, the post
alike of honor and of danger, the
first rank in the republics far
flung battle line"
Almost at the same moment that
he was uttering these sentiments
in the senate I said in the house:
Let us adopt no weakened pol
icy toward the enemy. Let this
great nation raise it's massive head
above the clouds of diSsension and
political difference and draw its
sword in defense of peace-world-
wide peace, observation-disclosures
freedom; Christianity throughout
the world, for the perpetuity of the
principles for which our fathers
died, to the Accomplishment OF
which Georgia, the empire safe or
the south, consecrates her patrl-
otto service to the nation.
There was singular agreement In
these sentiments and singular
unanimity in this high pledge. Al
that point We were in complete
agreement But mark how we have
diverged. From that day to this L
have voted for every measure that
might strengthen the resolute pur-
poses of this nation to vindicate its
honor and resent the insolent at
tacks of Prussianism against our
people and our commerce. L have
done so without stint and without
limit, and I have done so without
regard to my political fortunes.
HAS ENDURED HOSTILE
PUBLIC SENTIMENT
In the early days of the state Of
war there was wide diSsenSion: there
were bitter denunciations, and the
| congressman who dared insist upon
the redemption of the pledge knew
that he was taking his political
life in his hands and he did not
know what was going to be the re-
suit. There were plenty of men,
both in and out of congress, who
were terrified by the storm of pro-
test which arose at the first pinch
of sacrifice. One of the very can
didates who now boasts of his
loyalty was at that time safely en-
sconsed behind a bureaucratic desk
in Washington serenely watching
the storms of pro-Germanism and
sedition that were sweeping
through the country, through the
medium of spies, profiteers and
demagogues, while L was in the
frst-line trenches of my country's
service. inhaling the noxious gases
of unpatriotic sentiment because i
was standing by my country in its
preparation for war.
Where was this loyalist when
Senator Hardwick was at Columbus
last July talking bosh to our peo-
pie about European boundary
lines" and denouncing the selective
draft and our great president? He
was in washington signing a pay
roll and as silent as an oyster.
Turn to the daily papers of last
July to find where 1 was. I was
the first man holding public ONCE
in Georgia to come out and defend
the war policies of the president.
said then:
This is no time to play politics.
This is no time to applaud the
enemies of our great president. At
the helm of the ship of state you
have a man clear-eyed, with far
reaching vision across the troubled
waters; strong-minded, standing for
human rights and American hber-
ties. You can trust him implicitly in
this trying hour" r
SOUNDED WARNING IN
HALLS OF CONGRESS
Even before that, in March, 1917,
when pro-German propaganda had
invaded the halls of congress and
the cowardly resolution was before
the house to forbid American citi-
zens to travel on the free waters OF
the deep, 1 uttered this warning
that ought to have sounded in the
ears of Senator Hardwick as well
as in the ears of those who kept
silent at that time:
Let me say to those who are
affiliated with the Democratic par
ty that if 1t is your purpose to
capatilize your campaigns in the
coming election, by taking stock in
political propaganda other than that
of President Wilson and his admin
istration, you are taking stock in a
bankrupt political machine. Your
success depends upon your uphold
ing your president and my presi-
dent in this critical moment in the
history of the United States. If
you desert him now you will find
yourselves lonesome citizens indeed
when you return to your respective
districts"
1 knew, indeed, at that time there
was a tremendous movement on
foot in Georgia as well as elsewhere
in opposition to our stern resolve,
but 1 had faith in my country then
as have faith in my country today.
believed that if brave voices were
raised for the honor of America
they would in time still the
tempests of dissension and ring
clear and full across the fields, to
the answering patriotism of an
aroused people
CONTRASTING POSITIONS ON
SELECTTvE SERVICE ISSUE
What was the first test of the
courage and sincerity of the mem
bers of congress after the declara-
ton Of war? Beyond all question,
it was the selective service law of
May Is, 1917. Never has any act of
national defense in America been
more bitterly fought or denounced;
never was there an act passed that
was more of an acid test of patri-
otism and courage. There were
plenty of tender-footed men who
hesitated, and there were those VINO
voted for it with fear and trembling.
voted for it freely and openly and
above board. 1 know that there is
still some opposition to it in Geor-
gia. 1t may be that the opposition
to this law is sufficient to defeat me
for election, but sink or swim, live
or die. survive or perish" I plant
my claim to the votes of the people
of Georgia this day on the PROPOSE