Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-06-01

Morgan, of the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations, and author of the
joint resolution recognizing the exis-
tence of a state of war in Cuba and de-
claring the neutrality of the United
States, was asked to-day concerning
the probability of securing action upon
the resolution before adjournment, and
in reply said;
UNLESS the House should act upon
Mr.. Hyde's resolution, which is identi-
cal with the resolution offered by me in
the Senate, that is now held up in the
Committee of Foreign Relations, Con-
gress viii probably disperse before any
further action is possible. That re-
sponsibility will doubtless hasten the
dispersion of some Senators. The dis
position of the majority of the Senate
Committee is TO devolve upon the Presi-
dent a responsibility that he is evident
~ eager TO assume. Congress has
practically
CEASED TO BE A FACTOR
in the government, except in the case
of a veto. when the Constitution per-
mits it to act finally by a two-thirds
vote. Even this function is denied
when it is applied to our foreign polit-
ical relations.
For government with three co-or-
dinate departments, of which we boast,
we are making strange and rapid
movement towards re-establishing the
royal prerogative in the hands OF our
Executive as an uncomfortable power.
If any British constitutional power was
destroyed in America by the revolution
of 1916 it was the prerogative OF the
Crown. If the President, acting alone,
can substitute the entire body OF the
laws of war for the laws of peace which
now govern our relations with Cuba
and if ne can make this total revolution
of our legal status as citizens and as
a nation, binding upon us by his pro
clamation, it is in vain that we abol-
ished
THE ROYAL PREROGATIVE
in our federal Constitution. If the
President. without the concurrence or
Congress, should proclaim that war eX-
lists in Cuba and that the United States
assumes the attitude of a neutral power
towards the recognized belligerents un-
der the laws of nations, ne would usurp
a mower of the most dangerous char
acter. In the moment Of their enthus-
iasm for a decree that would be so just
and so humane, the people would for
give the usurpation, but the shock 1t
would give 10 our free government
would lead in time TO great disaster.
In this present state of political agl-
tation in the country, it is dangerously
apparent that declaration of war with
Spain or a declaration of the existence
of a state of war in Cuba, made on the
sole authority Of the President, would
create
A FERVER OF EXCITEMENT .
in the country that would remove all
other questions now under anxious dis
cussiop from the minds of the people
and would control the presidential cleo
ton near at hand.
Il am firmly convinced that the Pres
ident will rot venture on so dangerous
a course when Congress disperses, leav-
ing our relations to this subject in their
present euuivocal situation. Spain VIII
he al liberty. so far as our government
is concerned, to pursue its accustomed
course of summary destruction OF the
rights. property and lives OF our peo-
pie. o,o
"yvar exists in Cuba. and the whole
world knows it. while Spain admits It's
existence in every act, but 6Snies II on
naner and in a diplomatic way. Our gov
ernment and people are required Ia en-
dorse a falsehood and to admit th2u
neace prevails in that island. They pun
ish our people for treason, insurrectloh
and niracv with the death penalty be-
cause they are charged with disturbing
the peace and breaking laws that ars
intended to preserve the peace in CUBA,
while
PEACE DOES NOT EXIST
in the island. To make the ease still
more obnoxious to reason and public
iustice. Spain violates her treaties with
tbe United States by forcing our citi-
zens 10 trial for these offenses before
military tribunals, organized to convict
and deprive them of defense by counsel
and of the right to summon witnesses
in their behalf in this alleged time OF
peace. If the government of the United
States should declare that state OF
war exists in Cuba it would use the only
means that is legally possible to prevent
Spain from this Insulting conduct. un-
After the almost unanimous dsclara-
ton of both Houses of Congress that
belligerent rights should be accorded tc
Cuba and that war exists there, If We
disperse with out giving relief to oul
peop,e from this situation, we can find
no excuse for abandoning them to this
dreadful fate, except that we are ready
TO
ABDICATE OUR POWER
in favor of the supposed power or wish
es of the President. The Presidents
powers are not increased by our refusal
to exercise powers that rightfully be-
long to Congress alone or jointly tC
both departments of the government
So far as l am concerned this will not
be done through any want of effort or
my part.
For more than seven weeks the Pres
ident has known the will of Congress
which expresses, constitutionally, III,
will CT the people. If that declaration
is not sufficient 10 give our people Sc
curity against Spanish barbarity. in VIC
lation OF our treaties. or to impress the
President with its Sclemnity. We should
not and cannot in justice to ourselve:
omit to present the same facts and con
victions TO the President in a definite
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