Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-31
THURSDAY. MARCH 81, 1898
TUE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS.


The Introduction into the House of Rep
resentatives yesterday by Mr.. Bailey, Of
Texas. OF a resolution recognizing Cuban
independence, following. as it did, the
similar Republican and Populist per-
formances Of the day before, suggested
that the several political parties were
about to enter into a race for the honor
and the political benefits" to be derived
from bringing on war. The Bailey reso-
luton was, however, ruled out on point
Of order, by a practically unanimous Re
publican vote. This may mean either of
two things-that the Republican jingoes
have blown off their jingoism and have
been whipped into line again to the END
of sustaining the President, or, that if
any political capital is to be made out Of
antagOnizing the administration and pro-
voking war; the Republicans in Congress
want to make it for their party.
We earnestly trust that our first view al
10 the significance of yesterdays incident
is the correct one, and that Republican
disappointment over the Presidents mes
sage having vented itself, his party in
Congress will cool down and take counsel
of sober second thought We also trust
that the Bailey resolution may have
proved a safety vent for the Democrats
in Congress, and that they will follow
suit
1t is needless for us to say that we
have no sympathy with either Mr.. Nc
Kinley's general policy or his party. The
President and his party and ourselves
are as wide apart. politically, as are the
polls. But we do sympathize with his
Cuban policy, as we understand it, and
hence have nothing in common with any
movement, no matter where or by whom
inspired that would drag our complca-
tions with Spain into the domain of par
tisan politics, and preclpitate war, with
its horrors of bloodshed and suffering,
and its burden of taxation, solely for
party interests. We. therefore, consider
II "A duty TO uphold the Presidents hands
until IL shall have been demonstrated that
nifty, honor. and prestige OF the nation.
and involves a reputation of our obli-
cations to humanity.
80 far, nothing of the kim has been de-
m onstrated. AS the administration policy
is gradually unfolding it is becoming
more decided, and points with more as
surance than ever to the contamination,
If allowed TO work itself out, Of peace,
with honor to ourselves, justice U Spain,
the discharge of our duty to civilization
and the blessings of good government, If
not practical independence. for Cuba.
This is the undercurrent of evidence at
Washington and that evidence is strong
~ corroborated 10 advices from Madrid
Despite reports of the sailing of another
Spanish feet. and contradictory rumors
as TO conditions of settlement of the
Cuban question and their reception
by Spain. we are told that Minister
Woodford and Sagasta are moving in har-
mony; that the idea Of an honorable
peace has taken firm hold upon the mid
de classes of Spain. and that the Queer
Regent will support with all of her infiu-
ence an opportunity TO secure peace
With the situation as 1t is, and the
prospect that is presented, the bringing
on of war now would be a crime. Sc
we hope--the incidents of Tuesday and
yesterday. and talks of conferences and
combinations 10 iorce the hahC OF inc
administration to the contrary notwth'
standing-that all parties in Congress will
settle down 10 an appreciation OF tn,
terrible responsibility that rests upor
the legislative branch OF the government
I'm this crisis. and having so done. will
act in accord with the administration
until it's policy shall have been dIscredit
cd. To do less would be to open the doc
TO Spain for further evasion at mos
critical moment. and might lead to results
that we could never justify to our owl
conscience. and could never vindicate a
the bar OF right and justice.