Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1896-06-05
CUBA WILL HAVE TO WAIT
MORGAN BELIEVES No RELIEF CAN
HE GIVEN by AMERICA.
Refusal to Recognize the RECON-
mendntiOns of Congress Is "a
BAD Precedent.

Washington, May Ex-senator Morgan
was asked today concerning the proba-
bility of securing action on the Cuban
resolution before adjournment He said
congress Will prooapiy dispense before
any further action Is possible. The dis
position of the majority of the senate
committee is to devolve upon the presi-
dent responsibility that he is evidently
eager to assume. Congress has practi-
cally ceased to be a factor in the gov
eminent, except in the case of a veto
when the constitution permits it to act
finally by two-thirds vote. Even this
function is denied when it is applied to
our foreign political relations.
For government with coordinate
departments, in which we boast, we are
making strange and rapid movement
toward re-establishing royal preroga-
tive in the hands of our executive as one
controllable power If any British con
stitutional power was destroyed In Amer
lea by the revolution of 1776 it was the
prerogative of the crown. If the crown,
acting alone, can substitute the entire
now govern our relations with Canada,
and If he can make this total revolution
of our legal status as citizens and as
nation binding upon us by his procla-
nation, it is in vain that we abolished
the prerogative in our federal constitu-
ton. If the president without the con
currence of congress, should proclaim
that war existed in Cuba and the United
t1.a rofn
power toward the recognized belligerents
uhaer the laws Of nations, he would
usurp power of the most DANGEROUS
character. In the moment of their en-
thusiasm for decree that would be
SO just ana SO humane, the people would
forgive the usurpation, but the shock II
would give to our free government would
ieau III time TO great disaster. In the
present state of political agitation In the
country, 1t Is dangerously apparent that
declaration of war with Spain or
declaration of the existence of a state of
war in Cuba, made on the sole authority
OF the president. would create a fever of
excitement that would remove all other
questions now under discussion from the
minds of the people and would control
the presidential election near at hand.
Il am convinced that the president will
not venture on so dangerous a course
when congress disperses, leaving our re-
lations to this subject in their present
equivocal situation.
War exists in Cuba and the whole
world knows it. and while Spain admits
its existence in every act, but denies Il
ON paper and in diplomatic way. out
government and people are required 70
lndorse this falsehood and to admit thar
peace prevails in the island They pun
ish our people for treason, instruction
and piracy with the death penalty he
cause they are charged with disturbing
the peace and breaking laws that are in
tended to preserve peace in Cuba. while
peace does not exist
after the almost unanimous declara-
ton by both houses of congress that bel
ligerent rights should be accorded ia
cuba, If we dispense without giving relief
to our people from this situation we can
Ind no excuse for abandoning them 70
their fate except that we are ready to
apdicate our power in favor of the sup
posed power or wishes of the president
ne presidents powers are not increased
oy our refusal to exercise powers thai
iBhtfully belong to congress alone or
Jointly to both departments of the gov
For more than seven weeks the pres
dent has known the will of congress
which expresses constitutionally the will
II the people. If that declaration Is not
sufficient to give our people security
'gainst Spanish violation of our treaties
'r to impress the president with its sol
mnity we should not, and can not. in
Justice to ourselves, omit to present the |
anne facts and convictions to the presi |
lent in definite form of action thar he |
an not refuse to consider
Spain fully understands the cause af |
ur resentment and the justice of the |
Indignation of our people, and boasts in
peeches from the throne that the nrasi-
ent is not in sympathy with congress
r the people, and for this cause she ad-
eres the more savagely to her resolution
hat this shall be a war of extermina-
ion and that we shall be compelled 70
alse declaration 10 give the shelter of tho
avs of war to those who are moved by
to help the Cubans.
1.-THE president has refused to inform
ongress of the attitude of the executive
apartment as to the conviction and SEN
ence OF death of our citizens captured
n the Competitor.
The plea is urged for the delay of fur
her action by congress that a recogni-
on of belligereney, morally, will give
se to new complications, and If we do
nything ii is wiser to recognize the
of Cuba and leave II To
pain to declare war for that course. If
he resents such course. That ground
taken with no expectation of its re-
iltng in such recognition"