Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-09-04
THOMAS {. WATSON
HEARD BY OVERFLOW
AUDIENCE III ATLANTA
Speaker> Answers Attack
of Legion and Hits at
Opponents in Race for u,
S, Senate

speaking engagement in Atlanta and
delivered a fiery speech in behalf Of
his candidacy for the United States
senate. 1t was undoubtedly the big
gest political gathering ever held in
Atlanta and perhaps in the entire
state of Georgia.
While Mr.. Watson's audience was
made up mostly of men, there were
hundreds of ladies scattered through
| the crowd. They came with their
husbands. brothers, sons and sweet
along with the balance of the mob
that surged about the doors in an
effort to get inside.
More than a score of counties were
cations of Watson supporters trav-
eled long distances to be present at
the meeting and when they failed to
get into the auditorium their atti-
tude was one of extreme eXaSpera-
ton.
AS for Mr.. Watson's speech, it con-
sisted mainly of a scathing attack
on the American Legion, which is
lighting him Cooth and nail in this
campaign, and fulsome praise of the
principles enunciated by Washington
and Jefferson. He made brief men
tion of Senator Hoke Smith and Gov
| ernQr Dorsey, but bitterly referred to
President Wilson. His denunciation
of the League of Nations was re-
ceived with shouts of applause from
the cheers were echoed by the crowd
further back when they saw the dem
onstration being staged up in front.
John Knight Speaks
His reference TO Senator Smith
came during his discussion of the
League of Nations and the resolution
adopted at the Democratic state con-
yention in May, following the presi-
Dental preferential primary.
"Hoke Smith helped to write the
League of Nations" said Mr.. Wat
son, "but now he is anxious to get
his name off the resolution. My
name is still there and 1 am proud
of it."
Later on in his speech he ridiculed
the idea that he was inexperienced
in affairs of state and declared that
Senator Smiths experience was not
so complete as to make him the only
available candidate for the United
States senate.
81 have had thirty years expe-
rience, such as it is" shouted Mr..
Watson, "and YOU all know that my
experience, is sufficient to fit me for
the place"
He took only one shot at Cover
nor Dorsey. AT one point in his
speech he referred to the charge that
he was obstructive rather, than con-
"They say that I have no record
of constructive accomplishment" he
said, shaking his head and waving
his arms. well, let me call your
attention to Governor Hugh M. Dor
seyy my very worst piece of con-
Promptly at $3.50 the curtain that
hid tie big stage was lifted, reveal
ing Mr.. Watson standing beside an
American flag, while massed behind
him were several score>of his sup
porters and curious spectators who
stage as the only vantage point they
could secure. John knight, of Ber-
rien county. had been out in front
OF the curtain making, a speech to
waited for the big event of the eve
ming. He kept the crowd in good
humor and held their enthusiasm at
a high pitch until the speaker of
the evening could begin his address.
Cheered by supporters
When Mr. Watson stood forth to
speak, a wave of cheering swept the
arena, his supporters yelling at the
top of their voices, waving their
hats and contributing to the general
ute he was able to proceed, which
he did with smile on his face, evil
IDENTIFY in great good humor at the
reception accorded him and at the
enormous crowd that had turned OUT
to hear him. In fact, he kept
broad smile on his face throughout
his speech, which lasted little over
forty minutes.
Opening with a flowery explana-
ton OF the principles of democracy
the speaker asserted that he stood
four square with the great funda-
mentals of Americanism - free
speech, free press, separation OF
church and state, state rights and
absolute independence from all out
views on this subject and from this
vantage point launched into de-
scription of what might be expected
to occur if the United States should
enter the League OF Nations.
DEPRESSING somewhat, he assailed
the conduct of the war overseas, de-
clarlng that the American officers
treated, the common soldiers like
when it suited their whims and in
general acted like czars and auto
Gratis. He exhibited a small photo
graph of a gallows which he assert
ed was erected at a point behind the
lines in France, where many Ameri-
can boys were hanged for offenses
that would merit only nominal pun
lshment in this country
He ,assailed the American Legion
as as. band Of officers gathered to-
knowing that the rank and file of Of
American soldiers would take meas
ures to repay them. for their cruelty
SSe eeff a9d RI R sf to Trammell
in the Anti Watson HardWick cam
palgn of the legion, Mr. Watson ridi-
culed them mercileSsly and called at
ton to the fact that the 4ather of
MI stocknridge IS a Republican.
Yes, bows. RaSiPS ia tbar opd IIoo
Ey Lincoln Johnson are the two lead
ing Republicans in the state of Geor-
gla;n shouted Mr.. Watson.
Ihls American Legion has got
stuf to the Constitution that it filled
up the paper and Clark Howell told
them he couldn't publish any more.
so they started a paper of their own
the American Legion Post, and it
is mighty funny reading. The Legion
OFFERS to get out of politics if Tom
watson and Tom Hardwick are elm
mated in the primary of September
8. Well, if that's what it takes to
get the Legion out of politics, then
the Legion will be in politics for
some time to come"
Getting back to his discussion of
the League of Nations, Mr. Watson
predicted that if the covenant should
be ratified by the United States, this
country would be involved in a Euro
pean war before Christmas.
'Hoke Smith can't be tied down on
his position on the League of Ma
tions," declared the speaker, You
can't tell where he stands. He is
slippery when it comes to pinning
him down to facts. What we want
in the senate is a man who will tell
you where he stands and how he will
vote"
''And let me tell you another thing.
If l am elected to the senate, one of
the first things L will do will be to
introduce bill vacating the office of
nraSidant at AnN time Whpn the nrnS-