The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-01

"For a government with three co-ordl-
nate departments, of which we hoast we
are making strange ard rapid move
ment toward re-establishing the royal
prerogative-the hands Of our executive
as an uncomfortable power. II any Brit
ish constitutional power was destroyed
in America by the revolution of 1776 il
was the prerogativc OF the crown. III
the president. acting alone. can substi-
tute the entire body of the laws of war
for the laws Of peace which now govern
our relations with Cuba, and IL he can
make this total revolution OF our legal
status, as citizens and as a nation, bind
ing upon us by his proclamation, IT is in
vain that we abolished the royal pre-
rogative in our federal constitution. II
the president, without the concurrence
OF congress. should proclaim that war
exists IN Cuba, and that the United
States assumes the attitude of neutral
power toward the recognized belliger-
ents, under the laws of nations he would
usurp power Of the most dangerous
character. In the moment of their en-
thusiasm for a decree that would be so
Just and so humane, the people would
forgive the usurpa ton, but the shock IL
would give to our free government would
lead to greao disaster. In the present
state of political agitation In the coun-
try. 1T is dangerously apparent that
declaration of war with Spain, or
a declaration OF the existence OF q state
OF war in Cuba, made on the sole author
ity of the president, would create fever
of excitement in the country that would
remove all other questions now under
anxious discussion from thc minds OF the
people, and would control the pfesi-
Dental election near at hand
II am firmly convinced that the presi-
Gent will not venture on so dangerous a
course when congress dispcrses, leaving
our relations TO this subject in their
present equivocal situation. Spain will
he at liberty. SO far as eur government
Is concerned. TO pursue It's accustomed
course OF summary destruction OF the
rights, property and lives OF our people
War exists IN Cuba, and the whole
world knows it. and, while Spain admits
It's existence in every act, but denies IL
on paper and in a diplomatic way, our
government and people are required 10
endorse this fGlsehood and 10 admit
that peace prevails In that ISLAND. They
punish oar people for treason. insurreo-
tion and piracy with the death penalty
because they are charged with disturb
ing the peace. and break the laws that
are intended TO preserve the peace in
Cuba, while peace does not exist IN the
island. To make the case st!ll more OBJ
noxious TO reason and public Justice,
Spain violates her treaties with the
United States by forcing our citizens 10
trial for these offenscs before military
tribunals. organized TO convict, and de-
prive them of defense by counsel and OF
the right 60 summon witnesses IN their
behalf in this alleged time Of peace. IL
the government Of the United States
should declare that q state of wqr ex-
ists IN cuba. 10 would use the only means
that g. ierally possible 60 prevent spain
from this Insulting condcct. unless We
declare war crd FIGHT Il out.
After the almost unanimous dCclara-
tious OF both houses of congress tsnt
Lelligercnt rights should Dc accorded to