INALIENABLE RIGHT TO FIGHT WRONGFUL PUBLIC POLICY

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2387

SENATORS LA FOLLETTE & GRONNA ALIGN WITH PACIFISTS

New York City (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, July 31, 1917, the People's Council distributed a telegram from Senators Robert M. La Follette* of Wisconsin and A. J. Gronna of North Dakota in which they aligned themselves with the pacifist movement.

Senator LaFollette wrote in the telegram that the People's Council should "not be intimidated by...threats of war traders" and should start working to elect members of Congress who stand for repeal of "obnoxious laws."

LaFollette added...

"(The citizen) has the inalienable right to fight what he deems is wrongful public policy."


*Robert M. "Fighting Bob" La Follette, Sr. (1855-1925) was born in Primrose, Wisconsin & graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1879.  He passed the bar in 1880.  RML served in the USHR 1885-1891, as Governor of Wisconsin, & was US Senator 1906-1925.

Fighting Bob was the nominee of the Progressive Party for POTUS in 1924 & won 17% of the national popular vote.  A 1957 Senate committee chose him as one of the 5 greatest U.S. Senators.

SOURCE

"Two Senators Aligned With Peace Seekers," The Chicago Daily Tribune, August 1, 1917.

Senator Robert M. La Follette, Sr.

Wisconsin (R)

Library of Congress Photo

Senator A. J. Gronna

North Dakota (R)

Library of Congress Photo

WAR FOR THE LIFE, HONOR & INTEGRITY OF THE COUNTRY

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2269

U.S. SENATE VOTES OVERWHELMINGLY FOR WAR

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago this evening, April 4, 1917, the Senate of the United States overwhelmingly passed President Woodrow Wilson's war resolution by a vote of 82 to 6*.  

The vote came after thirteen hours of debate on the floor of the Senate. Senator George W. Norris (R) Nebraska charged that the motivation for entering the world war was "at the behest of the munitions barons of Wall Street."

Senator James A. Reed** (D) of Missouri countered by saying...

"The president is not calling America to war for the sake of...dollars but for the life, honor and integrity of this country."

Senator Norris, along with Senator Robert M. La Follette (R) Wisconsin. were among those few in opposition to the war resolution.

The United States of America would formally enter the war after the approval of the war resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives and the signature of the President. 

*The vote came at 11:15 p.m. Washington time.  8 senators were absent or paired.

**James Alexander Reed (1861-1944) was born in Ohio & attended Coe College. After practicing law, JAR served as mayor of Kansas City 1900-1904.  He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1910.  While Senator Reed supported Wilson's war resolution, he opposed entry into the League of Nations.

SOURCES

"Senate For War; 82 To 6," by Arthur Sears Henning, The Chicago Daily Tribune, April 5, 1917, www.archives.chicagotribune.com/

President Wilson Asks for War Declaration

April 2, 1917
Library of Congress Photo