Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-05
THURSDAY. JANUARY o 1879;
THE PEOPLE AND THE TREATY.


Yesterday the treaty Of peace with
Spain was transmitted by the Fresiuen'
70 the Senate. and without being read'
was referred TO the Committee on FOR
eign Relations. A Washington telegram
announcing these facts states that the
prssidcnt's message contained no word
or accommodation or significance, and
was only few lines in length. The Presi-
dents brevity and avoidance OF any woru
os Recommendation or significance may
be explainable on either OF two hypotne-
ses He may have decided upon policy
~ ipmping from under at the last mo-
mont and shifting the entire response
bility I'm the matter upon Congress. we
say Congress. and thus embrace both
housps. for the reason that If the Senate
ratifics the treaty it cannot have force
and effect until the House shall have
agreed TO a resolution appropriating g
q head for the purchase Of our proposed
new wards and a war with the Philip
pine rebels Such policy would be tho
roughly consistent with Mr.. Mckinley's
record. as especially illustrated in his
relations TO the outbreak of hostiities
with snain. After doing his full share to
get us into an ENHANCEMENT out of which
there was no avenue of escape. except
that of war. he practically made Congress
The custodian of the gates OF the Temple
of Janus. The other hypothesis is that
be may share the confidence Of those
who predict that the treaty will be rati-
He'd without any appreciate opposition.
However. a more important considera-
tlon in CONNECTION With the matter is that
there appears TO be some doubt rs to
whether the treaty and the cS2dings
of the Peace Commission win be given
20 the public until after the Senate has
disposed OF the former.
Washington adyices state that meet
ing of the Committee on Foreign Reia-
tions has been called for Friday. and 1t
Is probable that the committee VIII then
bring in resolution for the publication
of both the treaty and the proceedings.
This Is case In which probability ought
not to enter in the slightest degree. The
disposition OF the treaty may involve mo-
hentous consequences TO the people and
pur institutions. The people have right
10 all the light it is possible TO throw on
the subject 10 the end that they may,
in meetings and through the press ex-
press intelligent assent to or dissent from
taking the radical step embraced in the
ratification Of the treaty.
wi W.
are drifting and to be made acquainted
with the influences that have thrown u
into the current that is carrying nj
elong. The treaty in full, and the pro
ceedings of the commission in full, shoul'
be put before the public Immediately.
Moreover. there should be no debate o
the treaty behind closed doors. BE Nh
Mckinley ard his imperiallstic supporter
never so confident that the treaty vii
be ratified: indeed, even If count o
noses is the basis of their confidence
If the people are, as they should be, take
unto the confidence of the Senate, ii 1
vet possible that through the popula
voice Imperialism may be brought L
grief. 1t Is possible that If the people ar
accorded their right of being placed l.
possession Of all the facts there may b
a manifestation of disapproval Of ratif
cation that the Senate win not dar
ignore.
And even st. as some claim, II were bet
ter. under all the circumstances. to ratif
the treaty and then make such dsposi
tion Of the Philippines as would stop on
career towards imperialism. II is non
the less the prerogatiye Of the people 1
demand that on so grave an issue the
be not subjected TO snap judgment dc
liyered In dark-iantern court. In thi
crisis the right Of the people Is abov
presidential policy. precedent custom
and senatorial discretion. and should b
asserted by every Senator and Represer
tatlve in Congress who recognizes his oil
legations TO the people, no matter how h
may stand on the question OF ratification
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In the issue OF Tuesday Of the Danvll
Register appears the greeting" OF IN
new owner and publisher Of the paper
State Senator X. A. James. IL will. say
Mr.. James. be his effort 10 make III
Register newspaper IN the best an,
fruesf sense The popor was purcha SCI