The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-14
CIeVeland Said 10 Have Usurped the
Powers Of Congress.
HIs ACTION is EQUIVALENT
TO Declaration OF War Against n
Friendly Nation - Question to he
Raised In Congress by the Reputu-
caus-Causes for such Action.


NEW YORK, Nov. 14-rbe Press says
editorially today: President Cleveland
and his secretary Of state deliberately
propose the performance OF an act OF the
highest Jurisdiction, the power TO perform
which is expressly reserved by the con-
stitution to the congress of the United
States. The constitution (section s. arti-
Gle IL provides that 1.-The congress shall
have power to declare war.
grant letters OF marque. aud make rules
concerning captures on land and
water" aud " to make rules for
the government and regulations
of the land and naval forces" The presi-
dent has no power or authority whatever,
under the constitution, TO declare war
and is expressly bound by his oath OF
Office to faithfully execute the duties OF
psesidenr. and Ito preserve. protect and
defend the constitution OF the United
States"
Hawaii is an Independent nation. with
which the United States is at peace This
] alton has a Republican form OF govern
ment, exercising effectual aud peace nj
authority throughout the Islands. and rec
ognized by almost every civilized power
jn the world. including our own. IL is
not pretend d that the rights and interests
OF Americans are In any jeopardy under
the government in question. Indeed. IL is
admitted that such rights and interests
are perfectly secure. The government OF
Hawaii therefore, setting aside any ques-
tion OF sentiment, holds exactly the same
position toward the United States ms Eng
lard. or Germany, or switzerland, OF Mex
1c. President Cleveland would have the
sane right, and no more, to order the
United States army TO march to the City
Of Mexico, and pace tie late Iturbde.
the adopted heir OF MaxlmiIian, on the
Mexican throne, from which Macmillan
WAS driven throu sh American Influence,
chat he has 10 order the naval fore ~ o.
the ulited States TO re-establish the de-
poyel queen OF Hawaii on the throne
Ksmehameha. The fact that Hawsii Is a
small country makes no difference what
ever as to the rights and wrongs Of the
cnse from constitutional standpoint.
Should President Cleveland order the
Yavni forces of fte Unit d States to land
III Hawaii for the purpose
of & making, war upon and
overthrow 'ng3 the established aod
rscoRn zed government of that country. he
would be usurping the power OF congress
aud committing an act for which he ought
TO be impe ched, convicted and removed
from oflic,. Gresham, as an adviser o.
and a partner in the presidents course
should also be impeached aud removei.
1t will be he duty OF Republicans in
Congress, upon the opening OF ths regular
session in December TO see that the issue
raised by the proposed or accomplished
usurpation Is met firmly. resolutey y
and without sophism or evasion. The
Democratic party must be made TO take
stand for or against the constitution of
the United States; for or against tie vio-
lation by the president OF the Uuited
States and his Secretary OF State Of that
funda,neutal law which he has solemnly
sworn to Gefeld, AMI which every loyal
citizen is bourd To obey. There is but
one pos tion possible for tho Republican
parry ON such an siue, and
that is tie position OF loyalty.
ST patriotism and of fidelity TO
the constitution. The Demo
cratic party cannat be permittsd Il now, any
more than IN 1861, to evade the alternative
which its closen leader has raised by
his attitude OF defiance to the supreme
law Of tie land TO the sacred traditions
OF the American republic, and to the
piuciples OF the Declaration Of Independ-
ence. The Democracy cannot be per.
mittcd TO throw upon Cleveland aud his
secretary of state alona the cdium OF
great crimes against the Am r.can con-
stitution aud tue liaa allan nation. unless
That crime is distinctly repudiated aud
disavowed by summonng the md,f.c-
tors 10 ansAer at the bar of Impeachment.