The Portland daily press., 1898-03-29
HAVE WEA CONSTITUTION.
q the Editor of the Press:

The idea was once prevalent in this
country that the federal constitution is
the supreme law of the land. That idea,
if not already obsolete, is fast becoming
so. Where in the constitution can any
warrant be found for appropriating
money for the relief of suffering in Cuba
over which the United States has no
iurisdictionP But it is said the claims
Of humanity require this at our hands
Plausible is this, and creditable to the
humanitarian spirit Of our people. But
governmental Intervention on our part
between two nations at war with each
other to relieve distress occasioned by
it, can no more be justified, on princi-
pal, than could an appropriation to send
missionaries anu supplies to the Hotten-
tots. Such objects, however desirable
themselves considered, are utterly for
eign to the purposes for which this gov
eminent was established, and TO promote
which, if governed by humanitarianism.
our people must be taxed.
. 1t is surprising to hear it urged that
| it is the duty of this government to In
tervene even at the risk of war. n heav-
| EMS name, are not the lives and IlmDs
and treasures of our own people entitled
| to some consideration? Have we not
suffered enough at home from war
forced upon US for self-defence, ana Is
not our pension list already large enough
| for at least one generation moreY LIS
our national debt to be SO increased as
to compel payment, if at all, in depre-
ciated currency and force the country to
adopt the silver standard and become
| Mechanical?
| Where are our statesmen with const1-
| tutional ideas in their heads, II such we
have? Is it not high time they should
come to the front, if for no other rea'
son. to save the government from drift
Ing away hopelessly from the moor1ngS
of the constitution and to putting an
end to entsngling alliances with Other
nations so contrary to the policy of the
fathers of the republic.
We have domestic complications
enough on hand to exhaust all the wis
dom of Congress. These, apparently, mus
continue to have the go-by, and attention
be absorbed in providing fortifications
which Samuel j. Tilden strongly urged
on the country in his day land in securing
all creation to purchase battleships anc
torpedo boats to meet an emergency Gre
ated by the acts of our own government
or it's officials.
1t ought to be remembered that thi
government, professedly of limited
powers, is making history, and that, too
very fast. Politicians act for their owl
day, and for themselves. Statesmen
look at everything from the standard o
principles referable Ito the wisdom ant
conscience of the ages, as well as applica
BILE to contemporary policy forced upoi
them for action.
The first ship demanded to be brough
out and put into commission, and tt
be kept there. is the old Constitution
The soul and life of government touching
life, liberty and property on our owl
shores, and affording protection to al
who have in any way contributed t.
perpetuate it las a sacred trust fer al
who may come, after us. AS SAID Grant
who knew what war was: "Let us hav
peace" as said an eminent Statesman
of former day: Wherever the consul
tuition leads there we follow, where ina
IF. Il.