The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-12-05
sEAYrLE. TUEs DAY. DEc ..
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.


The presidents message contains bus
two points OF interest, the Hawaiian ques'
ton and the tariff. On both of these ques-
lions tho president ~ fatally wrong, so
fatally wrong that bis administration IL
sure TO be a failure. On the Hawaiian
question he accepts and attempts 20 sus-
tain the cx parte argument and position OF
Blount and Gresham. He cannot. how
ever, escape a congressional Investigation
of the Hawaiian question. that Will surely
result In his entire discontinue. Biounts
report will be discredited and the president
will be shown 10 have assumed TO himself
extra-constitutional powers.
The presidents statement that there was
no question that wrong had be wrought
the queen is based on Blounts report, and
Bionnt's report is riddIed TO tatters by ex-
Minister Stevens and by Minister Thurs
ton. The presidents position can not
stand the light of congressional invessiga-
ton. Congress will find that Blount
reached his conclusion as to the main
question within two days after he began
the inquiry; that the remaining la days
of his sojourn in the islands were spent in
terrifying this conclusion, AZ an advocate
builds up case for the side on which no
is retained.
President cieveland's secret intentions
regarding Hawaii had got as far around
the world as Auckland on the day when he
told congress that he had no further COM
munication TO make, and allowed the
Federal legislature 20 adjourn. notwith-
standing the fact that the policy Of infamy
had been determined on and the Gresham
report drawn up and signed more than two
weeks previously.
The question before the American people
is whether the Federal legislature. in pur-
suance OF the right reserved to 1t by the
constitution, will authorize the executive
20 commit an act of war against the pres
emit Hawaiian government. which has been
formally recognized by the United States
and other foreign powers. The people
want to know the legal grounds on which
the president has held himselfat liberty. II.
indeed, he has so held himself. to violate
The question whether the revolution of
last January did or did not derive moral
support from the American marines Is
Irrelevant and immaterlal compared with
the question whether the president can
defy and violate the constitution by COM
hitting an act of war against q recognized
government without the previous sanction
of congress. Is the war-making power TO
remain in the hands of congress or Is Mr..
Cleveland to be suffered TO exercise it in
defiance of our fundamental iaw7 Presi-
dent Cleveland has clearly usurped powers
expressly reserved to congress by the con-
s,i,ution and the congressional investiga-
ton will surely show this.
Cleveland and Gresham are banking on
Blount's thoroughly diseredited report.
They seem TO forget that community,
once admitted to the circle OF independcn,
nations, cannot be excluded from IL except
by an act of war; and for such an act on
the part OF the United States the previous
sanction OF congress is required by the
constitution. The constitution gives the
president power. by and with the advice
OF the senate. to make treaties. but II give,
him no power TO declare war. which
power is vested in congress: and If Their,
be vested anywhere in our government,
any such power as that which Mr.. Clese
land now seeks 10 exercise, il rests alon,
with congress.
There is upon our Federal statute booi
no law authorizing the employment o
military force TO remove the provisions
government OF the Hawaiian Islands.
The president aud Gresham are entirel,
IA the wrong about the Hawaiian bust
mitted fatal hlunder.
II Mr.. Cleveland assumes Of his own re
spousibility 60 accomplish the oyeFthros
of the provisional Hawaiian government
he assumes power that does not beion,
20 hum. and be will find that he hs. take,
step that will ruin his prestige and brln.
shame aud condemnation to his support
ers. The president must retire from tn
position he has assumed in regard {,
Hawaii or suffer the severest public re
bake that has been delivered 20 any presi
dent since the days OF James buchanan.
The position Of the president on th
tar,n IS equally absurd The New Yorl
Saa (nera.l asks;
''If coal. fcr example. Is free, the tax O,
iron goods must he laid higher, not 70
revenue only, bui for the direct purpose o
enabling coal 20 he tree. Such . isrti
woald collapse az the very first chal
ienge: Is is 10. reyeaue onlys Doe
" accord with she dispsSsionass an,
relentless principle that no oths
idea Of tariff TAXATION Is constitutions. 7
When it Is constitutional 10 cause 81 a.
ticle % import 80 cease 10 Weld reyenu
hy making the tariff on IL prehibitory
then st will be tsme far Democrats to Goa
sideF this soEf Of discrimination shEoaEl
the shsdowy and negative medium Of
tree lis;. one Is class legislation Ike tn
Other. The only difference Is IN the sin
~ the classes affected. We have reA,
Pref Wilson's tariff bin. Ii may Re Gale,
SQUAD rroseefto document from on
ead 80 the ctbeg. There IS no rcvenns chi
IN il, sAd 40 Democracy. IL Achinas
had mSAe a he needn't hc ssAAne
of his soFk lie might differ wlsl
It's details. bas It's principles would garg
hss honest od heart And Il L. the war
OF se-e&g.ed Democrats snA tariff reform
ers"
The logic q the saa is unanswerahl