New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1921-07-08
CONGRESSMAN MONTOYA'S
RECENT SPEECH ON THE
PORTER PEACE RESOLUTION

n congress pIlVucScu " tonS
part in this important question.
bring up, it seems, the rear guard
of the discussion.
The people of my state, when by
resolution of the congress a declara-
ton of war was made, were ready
and Eager to go to war for the Ma
ton and the flag. And now, at this
moment, |, as the lone Representative
OF that great state, say that we are
lust as eager on this 18th day OF June
1921 by the same action that declar-
ed war, to declare the end of the war
by means Of the Porter resolution.
Gentlemen, | have very carefully lis
ened to the arguments OF both sides,
the very able and brilliant arguments
made by the minority side and the
majority side, upon this great and
momentous question. But it appeared
to me that we were running IN cir
cles, the same as the seats in this
House, and always in the course OF
the argument landed under the dome
of the Capitol of the Nation, and UNI
der the Constitution of the United
States, which gives the power and
the right to Congress to declare war
or to declare peace. | am here, gen.
tlemen, to vote in behalf of the peo-
PIE of my state to declare the war at
an end.
The Porter resolution declaring
peace with the Governments of Ger
many and Austria-H Hungary should
have been passed months ago, foi we
have been in actual state Of peace
for over two years; but owing to an
unexpected and unforeseen situation as
to the treaty Of peace, called the trea-
ty of Versailles, being complicated
with an agreement framed by the
Allies called the League of Nations.
the treaty and the declaration OF
peace have been up in the air for
many months, and waited for the de-
cision Of the American people at the
polls in November, 1920, which de-
cision was given in laundering tones
by over 100000 votes majority, de-
feating the so-called League of Ma
tons and its dangerous purport in
entagling the United States directly
and permanently in European affairs.
This decision left the matter &c be
dealt with by Congress, under the
Constitution, for Congress has the sole
power of declaring war or proclaim
ing peace. This question is here now.
under a proper ruling adopted by
the House, to be disposed OF, not as
political question, political expediency,
or any other camouflage or subter-
fuge, but as an open question of right,
of justice, demanded by the American
people and the world. Why should
this proposition hang fire any longer!
Why should it meet with any delay
or opposition from any Member euher
of the minority or majority OF this
House?
We went into the war for the most
potent and just reasons in the world,
our honor as a Nation, the honor and
prestige OF our glorious flag, the Stars
and Stripes, was at stake; we had
been insulted; our men and women
and children had been murdered on
the high seas, not by orders OF the
German masses or common people,
tor they had very little to say under
a despotic government, but it was
done by the autocratic, ambitious,
crazy power OF the ruler and his des-
potic ~'nment.
The measure was iilled. America
made its decision. we accepted The
gage, our roys by the hundreds OF
thousands, by he millions, responle d
20 the call OF the country and flag,
our legions were formed under able
leaders, l,OOO'OOO soldiers went across
united with the Allies Tor home and
the liberty OF humanity from the am
billions OF tyrants; you all know The
rest; ,cu have heard OF the Theimo-
pylae OF the war. Chateau-Thierry,
Belleau Wood. the Argonne, Verdun.
ST. Mihiel drive, and the hundreds
of places, now historic and consecrat-
ed ground where the blood Of Ameri-
cans was shed for the noblest u
IN the world, ancient or modern, Tor
the liberty of humanity from OPP
preston and vassalage by unprinci-
pied, crazy tyrants.
The American troops, once in ac-
tion, the american nag once moving
iorWard against 'he enemy, never re-
tredteu-Such a WORD Is no known IN
our army IN america or sewhere-
Dut went Forward pierced, and broke
70 iiaqes me so-calied impregnable
Ii~ihdehourg hne' went over the top
everywhere and IN a lew short weeks
helped TO land the Kaiser on the
Shain gang ana into a wood pile IN
belgium, as ne deserved, and worse.
some OF the newspapers are saying
tnat there may be a "nigger IN that
MOOD pie' but l do not believe If.
ihey VIII AVE TO assigne his majesty
10 one OF our western forests when
inc WOOD gives out IN little Holland.
we VIII give him a couple OF sections
ana keep MN busy the rest OF his
natural life.