Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-30
TWELVE PAGES.
SATURDAY. JUNE 30. 1900.
THE SAME PRINCIPLE TODAY.

When Gen. George Washington had
crossed the Delaware. in his memora-
BILE attack upon the Hessians, his men
complained that their powder was wet
and their lives would be sacrificed in
the assault. Washingtons order to
use the bayonet." has brought down
to us his unbounded love of country
and the colonists' cause. which was
even greater than his own life and the
lives of the brave men fighting by His
side.
Almost defenseless. save for the bay
onets on their guns. these men stepped
into the vortex of death in defense of
the liberty guaranteed by the Dccla-
ration OF Independence and the Con-
stitution of the United States. They
were lighting against the tyranny of
Monarchy and for the maintenance of
constitution made by themselves.
1t is remarkable that more than a
hundred years afterwards the Presi-
dent of the United States should abro-
gate the very principles for which
Washingtons men sacrificed their
lives-violate the Constitution, ignore
IL
turn Monarch.
Washington became the Father Of
his Country" for the part he took. Nc
1tinley may become the "Brutus that
Yields the knife of death" 1t cannot
be believed that there lives a soul so
dead as not to reach out in determined
response to the helpless imploring of
the noble band of Christian martyrs
giving up their lives in the Celestial
land" Nor is it believed that there
beats patriotic heart so mute as not
to hear its country's call to defend the
very groundwork and cornerstone of
its system Of government-the Consti-
tuition that first gave and now defends
the liberty and personal rights of 49,
100000 of citizens OF this republic.
One may be justified in sacrificing
even life itself for anothers life or
happiness; but could one. or could
hundreds, justify the sacrifice of the
sacred principles of the Constitution.
upon which rests the welfare and life
of our Republic.
The heart ofttimes masters the head.
So it happens that the people of the
United States are hearkening to the
appeals of their hearts, that 80 out in
sympathy to the missionaries in China.
and are overlooking Il worse danger
at home to all the people OF this coun-
try by the deprivation OF rights guar
anteed TO them by the Constitution.
Not SO with the President. He, as
well as his advisers, both legal and
practical, are acting with elaboration
and against the weight of pre-
cedents, hoping against the in
reference from the people on
account of their sympathy for
the suffering. The act may give tenn
porary relief and succor to a few
American citizens in China: but this
incident Is but n small matter in the
life of nation. We go back to-day
more than hundred years for prccc-
dents, as well as one gear to the Ar
menian massacres in Turkey. IF the
President may violate the Constitution
In Indirectly declaring war by acts
stronger than words. by throwing an
army OF invasion into China. thus
usurpng the powers given only 10
Congress. thus making the Constitu-
ton, in so far as it deprivcs the Pres
ident OF that power, a farce, With an
object to gain, the President (and it
may be a Democratic as well as ii Re-
publican eXecutivc) may send troops
to Mexico, thus plunging the country
into war with that country.
1t is the principle for which we arc
contending. simpl, that and nothing
more.
The very object of tho Constitution