New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-09
A VICTORY NEEDED AT WASHINGTON


While the brave. well-trained and faithful
officers and men Of the Navy are gloriously de-
Tending their country and honoring their flag
the Senate is indefinitely delaying measures
necessary to carry Oh the war And yet ono
might hope that, In these hours OF amazed re-
jocing over the greatness OF one victory
achieved. and OF intense anxiety regarding the
work Of the feet which has sailed from Key
West appeal 10 the patriotic feeling of Sen
ators might not be wholly in vain. II ever the
voice OF private ambition can be for the mo-
ment sIlenced. or the promptings Of conten-
tious spirit, surely It must be at such time
as this Cannot Senators rise superior to par
tsanshp this joyful day. and celebrate the
victory Of Admiral Dewey and his ships by
passing without debate the bin TO provide
money for the war?
II Senators will consider the matter in a
spirit divested OF the antagonsms and rivalrles
OF debate. they surely must realize that such
n course would be the wisest and most grace
full they could possibly adopt 1t Is fitting oc-
casion TO prompt and to justify entire sub
mergence of private and partisan differences
In patriotic action. No Senator can fail 10
realize that he Will feel in duty bound sooner
or later II his vote IS necessary for It's sue
cess. 10 vote for the only form OF provision for
the cost Of war which can be passed II Is not
possible for the President TO turn against the
principles and pledges upon which he was elect
ed. He would be bound TO send back with
vetoes such bills as some Senators are urging,
and to place upon them the responsibility Of
National defeat and dishonor II they insisted.
1t would be equally impossible for the House TO
pass such measures those in question. Those
having been sent back Senators would have
to choose whether they would dishoDor the flag
which the Navy honors. whether they would
refuse money to carry on the war unless they
could personally dictate just how It should be
raised.
It need not be said that Senators are well
aware that they cannot choose to dshonor the
flag when 1t comes to final decision But IN
that case what Is to be gained by refusing a
graceful assent to-day in response 10 the patri-
otto feeling which sweeps through the land?
What conceivable advantage can any Senator
hope 10 secure by delay. strenuous debate. sol
emn assertion Of beliefs which he knows cannot
at this time be embodied in laws and then
final and far less graceful yielding at the de-
mands Of patriotism? Is It by any one be
lieved that his constituents would respect him
more If he first threatened to leave the Navy
and the flag without resources. knowing all the
time that be could not afford 10 do such thing?
Or can any one suppose that prolonged
hashng OF the Presidential discussion OF 1896
will seem TO his constituents timely and peril
nent when each day Of debate and postpone
ment puts back preparations that may prove
intellectually necessary?
II Is never possible 10 carry on the Govern
ment except through the agency and according
to the methods Of those charged with that re-
sponsibility In this country, the people hav-
ing invested certain men with responsibility for
a certain time. It IS not possible 10 bring about
a change Of Minister'S n new election and an
appeal 10 the people again. as can be done IN
some other countries. For q fixed term the
responsibility must remain with the President
chosen by the people and the men chosen 10
make laws. high sense OF duty. therefore
must In every case forbid an attempt to deprive
the Government OF necessary means for defence
Of the Nation against foreign foes unless It
abandons the principles approved by the people
In their election. No Senator can seriously
argue that such a course would be patriotic
Nor can any Senator creditably threaten n
course which he could not pursue to the end.
The day offers an opportunity to end contro-
versy gracefully, and 10 answer Dewey's great
deed by victory the distract,ng spirit Of
partisanship.