New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1920-01-14
"TRIBUTE" TO PERsHlNG.

TX
Before the Minneapolis North Side
Commercial Club on Dec. IL, by
Congressman Thomas D. Schall.
have been asked to speak to you
gentlemen upon the subject of General
Pershing and the reason for my oppo-
sition in Congress to his elevation to a
permanent generalship, and before the
discussion wish to state that it was
nv vote from the Republican side which
upheld the hands of the President in
the organization of the House for the
Democrats at the outset OF the war.
If I had not voted as did, the American
soldiers would not have arrived at
Chateau Thierry when they did, and
if they had not arrived Paris would
have fallen. If Paris, the e heart
of the railroad industry, munition manu-
featuring center, had fallen, France
would have fallen. With France down,
England would soon have been forced
back into the Channel. Italy must
have soon succumbed, and the war for
the Allies would have been lost. Mine
was the first Republican voice in Con-
gress to come to the Presidents aid, and
supported the administration through
out it's war policies. So that feel
that | have the right today to tell the
truth as God gives me the right to see
it without the finger of pro-Germanism
being poisted at me.
am a Progressive Republican, but
I am first an American, and | would
rather lose my seat in Congress than
allow man to become President Of the
United States whom I know in my soul
to be an enemy of our traditions and
liberties and the tool of foreign interests
seeking to dominate our politics for
selfish gains. -a. -.~ s,-., II
In the first place, I opposed this ele-
walton, because he was securing it with
out an investigation as to his merits,
and that he was securing this endorse
ment of Congress to use as stepping
stone in realizing his ambition to be-
come President of the United States.
I-knew that he was being touted by
European interests. I knew that the
people of this country had no knowledge
of the. real character and lack of ability
of the man and that all information
which had been allowed to get to them
through the newspapers was framed
for this one object, and while realized
that it was like splitting into the ocean
for me to attempt his defeat, yet felt
that I would not be doing my duty to
my country if I did not make such bold
protest as I could. I also realized that
my opposition to the dream Of this
English Knight becoming our president
would undoubtedly be the means Of
my losing my seat in Congress. I under
stand that no lack OF money will be
wanting to accomplish my over throw
at election because had dared to tell
the people the truth about Sir John,
and his conduct as dictator Of aathe Ameri-
can forces in Europe and his lack of COM
prehension and his un-American rules
that brought about the unknown regime
in Our overseas army. The useless
slaughter, uncalled for hardship and
suffering directly traceable to him.. and
7tGs European militaistic methods which
in many instances out-Kaisered the
Kaiser. If ~ -
The speech I delivered on the floor
Of Congress on the 9Th Of September,
and followed with another on the 9th
OF September, are a part of the public
record and they stand there undisputed
to date. I wish you gentlemen would
take the trouble to read those speeches.
It you would, I do not believe any of
you would ask me why opposed Sir
John and his ambition. There are
fifteen long congressional pages con-
tanning some Of my reasons and I have
many more that have not been uttred,
and if Pershing really deserved them
all and desired that the people have the
tIutil Ic COu4u easily AofC OIL sAhSeoe1-
CATION, but you need have no fear that
he wants an investigation. If he had
not feared such an investigation he
would have gone, as he was requested
to do, before our congressional commit
tee in Paris; but he refused, though the
committee was armed with authority
that he was bound under laws to obey.
Had any officer or soldier. refused to
obey his orders as he refused to obey the
orders of the Congress Of the United
States, he would have Immediately
caused him to be shot. This one act
alone shows him to be absolutely unfit
to be an executive Of republic and a
constitutional government, and shows
him to be a fit tool with which to under
mine our liberties and advance the
interests Of his foreign boosters.
T. 80 olo;vood fhaf Oyor gG0 Nor cont