The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-18
Some Curious Notions.

One needs to be very patient with the
crude notions of public policy and pro-
priety that he finds sometimes in the
average citizen. when he reads those of
Of service. The record of the senate pro-
ceedings on the Hay Pauncefote treaty
furnishes an example.
Senator Teller is man highly respected
in general, except for his rabid nonsense
on the subject of silver. That this has
blunted his moral sense in other particu
lars would appear from his contention
that "any nation has right to abrogate
a treaty at any time" Under this gen
erai principle he holds that the United
States would be justified in canceline the
Clayton Bulwer treaty. of its own motion
and without notice. whenever it sees fit.
1t would be pertinent to ask Senator
Teller what his idea of treaty is Most
people would consider it a solemn agree
ment between two parties, in which each
49,
certain things. 1t Is not in force until
both parties have ratified 1t in a formal
way and in the United States it has
particularly binding sanction because the
federal constitution declares that treaties
made according to It's provisions shall be
part Of the supreme law Of the land.
standing equal In dignity and authority
with the constitution itself
What is the difference between this and
any other formal contract? Simply that
ne court can enforce its terms. II can
be broken in moment. and there are no
legal damages; but there are other dam
ages. of exactly the same sort that ac-
crue when one man fails to keep his
pledged word to another. 1t is ques-
ton of national honor.
Treaties are not supposed to be per-
petual, but they do stand good until for
mally abrogated. Most OF them contain
| provisions by which they win expire with
In a certain time after due notice has been
given by either party to the other. The
Clayton-Bulwer treaty which II is de-
sired to get rid of. does not II is for
that reason that so much diplomatic effort
has been expended upon some agreement
acceptable to both parties to take its
place Tnat Is the best method. That fail
ing. II would be in order for this govern
ment to serve formal notice upon Great
Britain that ii considers the treaty to
have been violated by her. and that un-
less satisfactory agreements can be
reached within liked time We will as for
mally withdraw from 1t. Less than that
would not be worthy Of us as a nation
Another curiosity is proposed amend
ment to the ay-Pauncefoie treaty. which
reads as follows But nothing contained
in this treaty shah be construed TO pre-
vent the United States from acquiring al
any time sufficient territory and soyer-
eighty over the same upon which to build,
manage. operate. defend. fortlfy, protect
and control said canal, or FOR any further
purposes "a the United states may deem
best 10 It's own interests"
This IS useless Illumination r, reads
as II Europe had a Monroe doctrine AMI
We were trying 10 defy f. The United
States asserts that no European power
shall extend It's dominion on the American
continent. II never waived any rights az
its own. II Mexico chose TO come into
the Union tomorrow, whose consent
should we ask3 II We saw NJ to annex a
Central American state. whose approval
save that OF our own people would II
be necessary 20 secure9 The proposed
amendment carries by Implication con-
oession that We should never make. At
tempting weakly by declaration to reat-
firm something already contained in the
historical position OF this country i,
would tear down our defenses. These curl
Gus notions tell us that no body Of men
In the country has a monopoly OF states
manship. and that the supply in many
quarters IS exceedingly limited.
A eablegram from Cons,andnople says
that owing TO the success OF the United