Greene County herald. (Leakesville, Miss.) 1898-current, 1918-06-07

Confeeoracy, IL my honored father who
gave four OF the best years of his life to
the cnuse Of the stars, and Bars, and
stayed with IL until it trained in the
dust OF defeat at Appomattox was dis
loyal, II ] in 1898 to 1899 while serving
my country beneath the Stars and Stripes
IN a foreign land was disloyal, then am
disloyal now.
Also In Company With Wilson.
was opposed to entering the war
thought as the President Of the United
states thought in 1916 and the early part
OF 1917. that Notwithstanding some of
our rights were being violated on the
high seas II were better for US to avoid
entangling alliances with the powers of
Europe. In that. l was only following
the teachings Of Washington and Jeffer-
son and the lead of the men who made
America what she was at that time.
There We're ample causes which would
have justified us, technically, in going
10 war with Mexico but we did not go
to war. We remained out of that war
and out of European ENHANCEMENT, and
the result was tile reelection of the able
occupant of the White House today to
the Presidency. You know as well as
do. that he was elected because he kept
us out of war " And, you know as well
as | do. that the vote which elected him
was declaration by the people that
they did not desire to enter into this
war.
| expressed freely and fully my views
regarding this question before the dec
clared 1t became our war, and nothwith-
standing what the hireu mercenary
newspapers have sa d and my political
enemies are now saying, | have voted
Tor every measure which / believed to be
necessary TO strengthen our arms and
promote the interests Of our Nations
cause. There has not been enacted "a
war measure that had for its real puf-
pose the strengthening of our arms and
the support of our boys in the trenches
that has not had my enthusiastic and
cordial support.
1t is true that l have endeavored to
defeat the schemes of the profiteers; to
put the brand of infamy upon the scoun-
drels who would seek to MAKE money Gut
OF the misfortunes of my country--these
mercenary miscreants, who would coin
into dollars the blood of our dauntless
heroes at the front, have been denounced
by me and held up to an honest con-
stituency in their true light. And did
1t for the good of my country, and to
strengthen our cause and not TO hinder
the conduct of the war
Independence of Thought.
have been criticised for independence
or thought, to which l most cheerrully
enter plea OF guilty. | have not been
subseryient to any man. In or out or Of
nee, and | promise you. so help me God,
IN the future, / shall endeaVor TO act in
that regard Is l have acted in the past.
l would not have the office OF United
States Senator If the commission should
have written into ii a condition that
should take orders from anybody other
than the sovereign white people of Mis-
slssippi For me to do so would be to
dishonor you and render me unworthy
OF your confidence and support. | re-
peat, that have done my best to serve
you as you deserve to be served and
act unworthy of the men and women
who trust me with their suffrage.
nope that we may finish our Con-
gressional duties and that l may be
n Ha mil, a
enjoy the opportunity of seeing you ard
meeting again face to face, my masters
The People.
A Mighty Conflict Coming.
l want to discuss with you the great
issues that CONFRONT us, as well as those
we have dealt with in the past. Our diff
ficulties are going to be almost as great
In the work of rehabilitating the Repub-
lie after the war Is over as 1t is to con-
quer the constituencies Hun There as
going to be conflict between right and
wrong, between Justice and injustice,
between the man who sows and the man
who reaps, between autocracy and dem
ocracy, the people who exploit the gov
eminent for their private gain, and those
who maintain the commerce of the world
by their toll.
do not think anyone who has watched
my career and is familiar with my record
Will have any doubt about the part |
shall play in that great drama / hope
l have proven my faith by my works and
demonstrated my loyalty by my deeds.
True To the Fifteenth Amendment
Pledge.
1t has been said by my critics that
have not carried out one particular prom
lse which | made to the people of Mis-
slss1ppl with reference to the repeal of
the Fifteenth and the modification of the
fourteenth amendments to the Federal
Constitution. My answer to that Is,
nave forced vote upon that question in
the United States Senate, which is the
hf.aer IAa
since the war between the States, a half
century ago. / have undertaken to Gre
ate public sentiment by discussing at
ength the subject upon the floor of the |
senate. 1 promised the people of Missis- |
sipRl, in my former campaign, that |
would do my beat to repeal the Fifteenth |
amendment and to modify the Four
teenth amendment But l told them |
lally in that regard unless all the states |
n the South should unite in demanding |
he change.
You will remember, My Countrymen. |
hat the State Democratic Convention Of |
In 1912 was the only instance |
n the history OF America that State |
convention has demanded the repeal Of |
he Fifteenth and the modification of the |
Tourteenth Amendments. My Enemies |
ire not justified in sandering me for |
ailing to accomplish a thing which, they,
themselves, have never rendered any as |
'istance to bring about, even though |
hey are as much interested in it as |
am.
I urged the last State Convention by
etters to reproduce the plank in the |
platform of 1912 on that subject, but my
enemies were too busy trying to destroy |
ne politically to give attention to a mat
er OF such vital importance to the peo-
lie of the South. 1t will not be forgotten
llso that ! have been greatly hindered
bout any sort of reform because of the |
var across the waters. All of these /
Kings you understand as well as / do.
70 man with any idea Of decency or sense
Il right would criticise me for failing to
accomplish the repeal of the obnoxious
amendment to the Federal Constitution.
specially when they have done every
hig to discredit me; every effort on
heir part has been to lessen my influ-
nee and defeat any purpose that might
ave, however altruistic and beneficial
o my constituents.
1t Is not out of place, trust, for me to
ay just here, that it Is my opinion that
he race problem, in the South will be
realty intensified by reason of the in
luence that will grow out of this war,
md it behooves the people Of the South
O look forward and make ready to meat
he issue when il comes