Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-23
THE PRESIDENTS FRERoGATIvE.

Roth sides to the issue between the
President and Congress raised by MI
Olney over the Cameron Cuban resolu-
ton are gaining adherents among the con-
stitutionaI lawyers of the country, but
the weight of opinion continues with the
contention of the Secretary of State. That
contention, briefly restated, is that the
right of recognition of the independence
of any State rests solely with the EXecu-
tive. and that Congress has no power 10
PASS a resolution according such recognl-
ton and make it operative without the
approval Of the President. However in
Congress. even with many who agree with
Mr. Olney's view. there is a disposition 10
criticlse what is termed his defiance of or
challenge to that body in stating his case,
while some of his opponents-especiaily
the extreme jingoes-are thoroughly irri-
tated over the matter.
The truth is that Mr.. Olney has de-
livered a diplomatic stroke in very I'M
diplomatic style. We say he has delivered
n Diplomatic stroke for the reason that
whichever way the question he has
brought to the front may be finally de-
cided, he has switched the Senate for the
present, at least, off track along whlch
IL might have unjustifably hauled the
country into serious trouble. There is no
doubt that when the Foreign Relations
Committee agreed TO report the Cameron
resolution senatorial jingoism was at UNI
usually high pressure. and even admitting
that, as is now claimed, the resolution
could not have been gotten through the
body, had debate upon ii been precipi-
tated things would have been said that
would have strained the relations between
the United States and Spain to danger
tension. AS ii Is, the new issue that has
been thrust upon Congress has taken pre-
cedence of the Cuban question as involved
I'm the Cameron resolution and thrown
the consideration Of the latter over until
after the holidays. Senators and Repre-
eentatiyes are thus afforded the time
much to be desired in which TO think
calmly over what steps, If any. we ought
to take in regard TO Cuba, and the feel
ing aroused at Madrid by the report OF
the committee and in anticipation of the
action of the Senate has been very much
molnhed Furthermore, time is also af-
forded the business interests of the coun-
try In which TO use their influence against
nnwarrantably risking hostilites with
Spain under conditions in which we espe-
cially need rest from excitement in order
that We may reform our currency system
and find a way of improving our CONNER
cial and industrial conditions.
Already some of the business bodies OF
the country have put themselves on re-
cord as opposed to the Cameron resolu-
tion and in line with the Presidents Gu
ban policy, and already we are told there
Is a reaction in the Senate against Came
ronism among not few that were at
first disposed to support the report of the
Foreign Relations Committee. This reac-
ton is attributable to two causes-hrst.
sober second thought. whirh might not
have obtained had Mr.. Onsy not raised
the issue he did; second a concession Of
the probable strength Of the Secretary OF
States position. which positisn. II tenable.
would render consideration If the resoIu-
tion worse than useless. Th. House there
IL reason TO believe, is much less under
&hc bhicthIt VI JiHSOiSih the1i tit o'h'N''
1t Is. therefore. to be hopsd that when
Congress shall have reassem5led after the
Christmas festivities the season
whose great message is pesce-it will be
In frame Of mind TO deal with the Cuban
question In a manner which. while not
derogatory 10 our dignity az nation, or
in contravention OF the demands of hu-
manity upon us. Will not Involve us in
unnecessary excitement and strife. IL is
20 be hoped, to say the least. that even
should Mr. Olney not be Sustained in his
contention. and II be fourd incumbent
upon the United States to tske some defi-
mite action regarding Cuba, we will not
go beyond the more conservative step pre-
ferred by Senators HiIl and Daniel which
|. u the recognition OF Cuban SeIligerency.
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