New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-17
THE SENATE RESOLUTIONS.

The Senate has acted AT last, but not we are
inclined to think. in the way most satisfactory
TO the sober judgment Of the Nation. There
will probably be widespread regret at the
character of the resolutions adopted yesterday
BY so decisive ajority. Those resolutions
are in some details opposed to the policy Of the
President and at variance with the resolution
adopted by the House Of Representatives on
Wednesday by an almost unanimous vote.
That fact in itself Is cause for regret, because
Il indicates division Of counsel at n time
when II is most desirable for all branches Of
the Government 10 present a united and har-
monious front. A little while ago Senate and
House. with impressive unanimity and prompt
ness. voted the President a peace-or-war fund
Of S50Oo00O0, TO be expended at his own dis
erection. That was a splendid manifestation Of
patriotism. The Nation had right TO expect
similar action at this time, in voting to give
him the powers for peace or war asked by him.
TO be used at his discretion. without embar-
RAISING conditions. That expectation has not
been altogether realized by the vote Of the Sen
ate. That Is a matter Of regret
Deeper still will be the regret. because the
resolutions of the Senate are to be regarded as
in themselves in some respects injudicious. The
clause recognizing the independence Of the in
surgent Government in Cuba Is the worst Of all.
That Government may be worthy Of such rec
Ognition. but there is known to us no proof Of
that fact sufficient TO warrant the United States
in committing itself thereto. This point has
been argued over and over again. 1t was con-
vincingly discussed by the President himself,
and the conclusion was reached by him that
recognition was not at this time desirable. We
must consider his judgment which has been
approved almost unanimously by the House Of
Representatives, more sound than that ex-
pressed In the vote Of the Senate. 1t will not
escape observation that under the plan pro-
posed by the President and approved by the
House recognition is not forbidden. 1t Is left
easy Of accomplishment by the only power that
can properly perform the act Why. then,
should 1t be deemed desirable to make an i'm
perative command to that effect? Power and
responsibility 1t is agreed. should go together,
but II one of them is to exceed the other that
one should be power. 1t is far better to have
power without responsibility than to be bur
dened with responsibilities and have not the
power with which properly to discharge them
Now, the plan agreed upon by the President
and the House would do all that the Senate
resolutions would or could But It would not
burden this Government, as the latter would
with responsibilities which might prove most
embarrassing and with which, In the very
nature Of the case. It would not properly be
able to deal.
There Is, moreover, grave reason to question
the right Of Congress to take such action, or the
validity Of It when taken Direct dealings with
foreign Governments are committed by the Con-
stitution to the hands Of the President. 1t is
for him to make treaties and appoint Ambas-
sailors, and while he must do so subject to the
confirmation Of the Senate, yet the initiative
Is indlsputably his. 1t is for him, therefore, to
recognize new foreign Government and then
for Congress to make his act effective by con-
nrming bis appointment Of an Ambassador TO
It and providing the funds necessary for his
maintenance. That Is the course dictated by .