The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1898-03-31

JUSTICE HARLAN.
CT Am a Prize Fighter from London.'')
have been newspaper articles recently
printed in papers of consequence, criti-
cising the president for not declaring
war against Spain, OH account of vari-
GUS complications.
The constitution does not give that
power to the president. 1t explicitly
says that 1.-The congress shall have pow
er to declare war;" and that declaration
swer all criticisms of the president in
this matter.
ordinarily newspaper writer would
not begin a letter on the constitution,
but would assume that the people know
all about it from their childhood. But
when member Of congress, one of the
men who make our national laws, arises
in his seat in the house of representa-
tives, and indicates his dissatisfaction
with the president because he has not
declared war, it may fairly be assumed
that some of our readers are also un-
familiar with that particular clause of
the constitution; and, in that event, it
will do no harm to call public attention
to that document under which we are
governed, by governing ourselves.
1t is not an uncommon thing for old
timers ut the capitol to answer all sorts
of absurd questions. The writer has
shown visitors the senate chamber, and
been rewarded with the ignorant IN
quiry: "But where is congress %
Every boy and girl in the land knows
that the senate and house of representa-
tives jointly constitute the congress-.
But grown men who come here from
Virginia, Maryland and contiguous
states ask just such questions.
Is it any wonder then that some of
our people are not familiar with the
constitution? And is it not even more
wonderful that member of congress
should be ignorant of the fact that the
president has no constitutional power
to declare war? AS matter of fact,
one of the most sagacious provisions of
the constitution is that war shall only
be declared by the congress, and not by
the one man who may occupy the presi-
dental office, at any critical period of
our history.
You will observe that the legislative
branch OF the government is referred to
as 1.-The congress-" Once upon time,
when the writer was employed as an
editorial contributor to newspaper, of
chief, the cabinet official criticised the
use of the word 1.-The" when reference
was made to the congress. It was nee
essary to show the constitution to the
august critic, in order that he might
know that it is improper to refer sim
ply TO congress" but that the legisla-
tive branch should always be called
"'the congress-" in the language OF the
constitution.
Not very long ago 3o-year-old dude
was seated at dinner with Associate
Justice Harlan, of the United States
supreme court, jurist known to men
of intelligence throughout the length
and breadth of the land. But the 30
year-od dude, who plays golf and rides
after hounds in this vicinity, had never
heard Of Justice Harlan, and, in the
course of conversation, he asked the
question:: saw, beg pardon, Mr.. Har-
Ian, are you engaged in business in this
city; or do you reside in this blasted
country?"
Justice Harlan, who is six feet six
inches tall, and who weighs well-nigh
800 pounds, and who is we'll proper
toned, athletic man, looked down at
the 3O-year-old dude beside him, and
replied: Nav, don't reside in this
blasted country. I am prize fighter
from London"
The 3O-year-old dude almost fell I'M
der the table with establishment, par
ticularly when he heard the peals of
laughter which filled that palatial din
ing-room.
But that is a sample of the intclli-
gence of the American people when
they get impregnated with Anglopho-
bia. Consequently we cannot be SUR
prised when we observe that some of
our people do not read and understand
the constitution, which is the supreme
law. and under which all laws are made.
No, the president has no authority to
declare war. He has control of all pre-
1iminary negotiations with foreign
countries in the preparation of treaties;
but even treaties must receive the rati-
fication of two-thirds of the senate be-
fore they can become operative. so far
as this country is concerned. The con-
stitution wisely restricts certain presi-
dental powers, and our people ought
to know these restrictions. Very often,
because of lack of knowledge on such
points, our people expect too much of
our presidents and criticise them when
they do not deserve criticism.
In paragraphs subsequent to the one
quoted the constitution provides that
the congress shall have power ITO raise
and support armies, but no appropria-
ton of money to that use shall be for a
longer term than two years; to pro-
vide and maintain navy; to make rules
for the government and regulation Of
tina land and naval forces; to provide
for calling forth the militia; to provide
for organizing, arming and disciplin-