The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-04-14
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

expected Presidents Message is disap-
pointing.
1t makes, it is true. a most crushing
presentation of this country's case
against Spain. 1t shows reasons OF
overwhelming conclusiveness why ac-
ton against her should be instant,
energetic and radical. But when it
comes to conclusions and to recon-
mendations as to what that course
should be, it suddenly loses its vigor,
becomes hating, watering, and SEEM
n.ly almost timid. 1t throws the
whole burden of the decision upon
Congress.
Undoubtedly it will be urged that
the Message is document of diplomacy
and studiously framed to fit interna-
tional usages and requirements. Further,
that it carefully cites precedents for the
guidance of Congress, and then places
the responsibility for our future course
where it constitutionaHy and legally
belongs.
But against this it may be truthfully
said that the whole matter is something
above and beyond diplo macy, and not
governed by its rules and principles any
more than revolution is bound by the
laws of the land. Intervention in the
domestic affairs of another country is
ultra-diplomatic 1t is matter of high
policy, not amenable to ordinary laws
and regulations 1t is one of those rare
and extraordinary acts by Nations,
which establish new rules and principles.
Precedents and former incidents have
no value. This is conceded by all
writers on international law. 1t Is as
much of an exceptional and eXtra-legal
matter as was our war for the suppression
of the rebellion Then the emergency
was the supreme law, and all other laws
only bore upon it incidentally.
Therefore, President McKinley's la
borious citation of precedents which do
not precedc is of little value. The situa-
ton and its requirements are wholly I'M
precedented, and not to be dealt with
by rules devised for quite different prob
lens
The clear common sense of the people
rebels against the Journalism and trivial
ism of diplomacy in this vitality grave
matter, just as the clear common sense
of the people during the war rebelled |
against the cherished quibbles and chop
logic of the lawyers about the "guaran-
tees Of the Constitution, the reserved
rights of the States" the vested rights
Of, the Shareholders" ETC. They saw
that slavery had to be killed or it would
Kill the Nation, and they found way
to kill slavery. while the quibblers
groaned in protest. In the same way
the people see most clearly that the
longer continuance of Spanish rule in
this hemisphere is simply insufferable;
that there can be no peace while it
endures Therefore they want it gotten
rid of at once and forever. Having re-
solved to abolish the intolerable evil at
any COST the parleying, the "shrewd |
moves" the interminable fencing of En-
bassadors, Ministers, and Secretaries, and
all the pretentious performances of diplo-
macy seem as tiresome and irritating as
were the manuvers Of those who strove
to make the law save slavery and kill
the Nation.
BY 400 years of habitual atrocities,
which have become more fragrant in re-
cent times, the Spaniards have absolutely
forfeited every right to longer rulership
in this hemisphere. Since we are firmly
resolved to expel them, why delay and
quibble? The quickest, frankest and
most direct way is the best.
The country had every reason to ex-
pect that President Mckinley would
outline to Congress scheme of energetic,
strai ghtforward steps to be taken with
out the loss of day, which would bring
about the result in the shortest possible
time. Had he done so the "war"
would in all probability been over and
the Spanish FLAG sent back across the