Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1898-04-28

Y
have been newspaper articles recently
printed in papers of consequence, criti.
cising the president for not declaring
war against Spain, on 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
of the constitution is sufficient to an
swer all criticisms of the president in
this matter.
Ordinarily newspaper writer would
not begin letter on the constitution,
but wouli assume that the people know
all about it. from their childhood. But
whenfa member of congress, one of the
men who make our national laws, arises
in his seat in the house of representa-
tves, 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
10 that document under which we are
governed, by governing ourselves.
1t is not an uncommon thing for old
timers at 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: 'I}ut 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 ii 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
Ehoald be ignorant of the fact that the
president has no constitutional power
TO declare war? As Il matter of fact,
one of the most sagacous 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 oil
our history.
You will observe that the legislative
branch OF the government is referred tC
as the congress" Once upon time
when the writer was employed as ar
editorial contributor to a newspaper, oI
. which cabinet minister was editor il
, chief, the cabinet official criticised the
use of the word "the" when reference
was made to the congress. l. was nee
. essary to show the constitution to tht
august critic, in order that he nigh
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 thu
constitution.
Not very long ago 3O-year-old dudr
, was seated at dinner with ASSOCIATE
Justice Harlan, Of the United State
, supreme court, a jurist known to mel
of intelligence throughout the lengtI
, and breadth Of the land. But the 30
. year-old dude, who plays golf and ride
! after hounds in this vicinity, had neye
heard Of Justice Harlan, and, in IN
course Of conversation, he asked th
questions: "Aw, beg pardon, Mr.. Han
Ian, are ycu engaged in business in hi
city; or do you reside in this hlaste
country?"
Justice Harlan, who is six feet 81
!, inches tail, aud who weighs well-nig
500 pounds, and who is a well propo
toned. athletic man. looked down q
the 3O-year-old dude beside him, an
u replied: "Naw, I don't reside in tn
'l blasted country. ON prize dght'
from London"
b. The aD-year-old dude almost fell nj
Il der the table with astonishment, pa
d ticularly when he heard the peals
\ laughter which filled that palatial do
., ing-roUn.
q But that is "a sample OF The intel
geHce Of ths Ameriean people vh'