The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1920-02-26

CnqucSClOndDiy, the press was
Noel's. The German group pos
sessed a journal Of their own.
Noel possessed the journals of
the state; not by bribery or own
ership. but by their honest con-
vietions. The great difficulty
was with the passlvists, the
great umwieldly mass of people
who agreed with his principles,
but wished to take no action. The
incident and the Indifferent
joined with the timid and unin-
tentionally aided the Germans.
A month after Noel S return,
the historic scene in the Senate
took plac. Jacinto Meyers
speech was plea for neutrality
and a savage personal attack on
Noel; lie alien who would sell
our republic to his, as he called
him.
When Meyer concluded, the
members were in a tumult. Quiet
could not be fully restored, until
Noel arose to answer his enemy
The address that followed goes
down among a people as the
speech Of the two Americas. Noel
made that union his theme. Nat
nral orator, he forever took his
place III history in an hour of
words that grooved like chiscls
INTO stone. He lifted his hearers
Tar beyond the petty rivalry, and
from the heights made them look
Altar. He uncovered his own work
OF years, not in pride, but in cx-
ample.
He concluded almost in the
words spoken at that dinner in
his villa, a year and half be
fore.
II have been called an alien
today, his voice swept The in
tent auditors. My countrymen,
] am twice an American North
American and South American,
and as | am loyal to both so
Judge me that God who taught
the first republican religion
nearly 1000 years ago
No rules of etiquet or prece-
dent held. His companions flowed
around him, grasping his hand.
The cheering in the chamber
echoed to the street beyond.
Milo Valdez, tears pouring down
his face, came running down the
aisle and sprang upon the steps,
facing the hall.
Long live the two Amer
icas!' he shouted above the up
roar. Long live the Twice
Americana"
The cry was caught up. 1t
filled the hall and flowed into the
street whore the crowds in their
turn seized and repeated it. In
an hour the extras were on the
street, and David Noel was
known for all time as the Twice
American.
In two hours the extras were
out anew and the public had
new sensation. David Noel of
fered his resignation to the Sen
ate and announced his intention
of moi voting On the question De-
fore the house. He had been
called an alien. He left the others
to decide that, and the war, with
out his pressure; without even
the pressure Of his presence.
He retired to his house in the
to wait.
1t was a daring play, carefully
in advance. Noel had
foreseen that allatck of Meyers
and planned his. In that speech
he had reached the climax of his
power and his work. Now, a
figure standing in solitary promi-
hence on that pinnacle of
he held himself
still and aloof. He knew that
statue is not a statue if it moves.
He left the rest of the battle to
his friends. Valdez, Milo, Gran
ADDS, the host Of his supporters
rallied and toiied.
Alone, Noel drove through the
gate Of the little shoes, as the
promise Of dawn flared across
the east. The silent garden, cool
and fresh, breathed on the man
who came from the forum and
the streets His face still held
the heat Of action, while his
nerves quivered with its excite
ment and pride. His hands ached
from the pressure of ardent
hands, his ears rang with his
name on the lips Of thousands.
He was no superman !; every
fibre of him answered to that
He knew the gaze Of
the world would turn upon him
for that moment which IS fame
the fighting nations would pause
.1sal n, 40 u =