The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-02-02
TAFT FOR BIG ARMY.
SEND THEM TO FRANCE TO
CRUSH PRUSSIANISM, EXPIRES.
IDENT TELLS LAWMAKERS
In speech Made I'm Columbia He Pre-
d'cts War Will Last Several Years
Het-Gucst of Camp jackson.

overseas army Of between 100000
ana 100000 men and giving as hi.
opinion that America can be thankful
VI the war ends within the next two
or three years, William Howard Taft
foimer president Of the United States
addressed the general assembly O,
oouth carolina i'm the hall Of the
House of Representatives shortly af-
ter noon.
I'VE must not think of this war az
other wars" said the ex-president. "If
we come out of it in two years or
three years. we should be thankful !
AN in favor of raising an army of
100000 or 100000 and sending
them to France"
Mr.. Taft said that the distance of
the battlefields of Europe made it diff
ficult for the American people to WIS.,
ualize all the hideousness of the
struggle; but when the casualty list
pegins to increase the vagueness will
take leave of American minds and the
vividness of the war will be demon
strated. In connection with the War
hH'ween the States and the present
struggle, the speaker drew a vivid
contrast by quoting the words Of q
West Pointer. The civil war was one
o. chivalric impulses, while this is a
struggle Of machinery, of brutal force.
OF German ruthlessness and of de-
struction of nations and of peoples.
and Of cold, calculating horror.
The former president was unspar
ing in his condemnation Of the rulers
of Germany. whom he charged with
starting the war for purposes Of
dormant power, and their methods.
"Oh, what blood is on the SOUL what
blood Is on the hands of William of
Hcbenzollern. and the Potsdam crowd
and the German people," he exclaim-
ed. They have thrust upon the
world this dreadful disaster that was
framed and formed by them and that
has made of nations a vortex of hu-
man destruction and human agony"
Mr.. Taft urged the States to give
inN cooperation to the government in
the war, but warned them against too
much Capitalization of power IN
washington. THE perpetuity of this
government depends upon the main
tenance Of the relations established in
1889 OF the States to the national gov
ernment," he said in saying that he
would venture he was great deal
mere OF States rights man than
many born on South Carolina soil
when the States become counties
and when the States exercise no DOW
er and no responsibility; when. they
run away from their duties and thrust
them upon the government" he con-
tirued. "the disintegration of this
people will follow"
Mr.. Taft arrived in Columbia today
shortly after noon. and was brought
Immediately to the executive office
where he was met by Gov. Man
n'ng. He accepted an invitation to
address the general assembly and was
escorted to the speakers rostrum b.
Gov. Manning and select committee
of the house and senate, consisting, OF
Senator's Manning of Dillon, Lee Of
Darlington and Padgett of Colleton,
and Representatives Hughs of Oconee,
Noise of Sumter and N. G.. Evans Of
Fdgefield. The ex-president was in.
tfoduced by Lieut. Gov A. j. Bethea,
president of the joint assembly, and
following Mr.. Tafts address motion
by Senator Nicholson of Edgefield
that the former president be thanked
for his address by rising vote was
adopted.
Mr.. Taft's address was interrupted
by frequent vociferOus applause, par
ticnlarly those parts in which he
ccdthingly denounced Germany and in
which ne dealt with the question
OF the rights Of the States. He inject
ed "a delicious brand Of humor into
his speech and frequently convulsed d
the general assembly when he pune
tuated his remarks with the famous
Taft chpckle.
Following his speech in the general
| assembly, Mr.. Taft was taken to the
home OF Mr.. George l.. Baker, who
Will be the host Of the former presi
dent during his stay in this city.
where luncheon was served hin,
Gov. Manning and other prominent
South Carolnians were guests.
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