The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-17
THE PRESIDENT AND THE PANAMA
AFFAIR.

That the Democrats in Congress will OPP
affair is foregone conclusion. and 1t would
be equally so If he had pursued a precisely
opposite course or done nothing at all. A
party that has no definite principles or dis
tinct policy Of it's own can hardly do less
than oppose everything done by party of
Democrats will oppose President Roose-
vents action, it is worth while to inquire on
what ground they will base their opposition.
If they are able to rise above personal poll
tics and petty, carping criticism they will
probably take the ground that Congress is
the governing power OF the country, and
that the President has right to take the
initiative in recognizing the independence
of a new government and committing the
United States to foreign policy.
The constitution enumerateg some Of the
powers Of the President and of Congress.
but It does not refer to the matter of recog-
MIXING the independence of new govern
ments. BY giving him the power to take
the initiative in making treaties with for
eign countries, and in the appointment of
ambassadors and ministers to other powers.
and by providing that he shall receive am
bassadors and foreign ministers it inferen-
TALLY clothes him with the principal control
of foreign relations and policies. If Con-
gress should declare distinctly in favor of a
certain foreign policy the President would
probably feel bound to follow it. but there
are occasions and crises when the President
must act without waiting to hear from Con-
gress. The celebrated Monroe doctrine was
enunciated by President Monroe without
consulting Congress. President Polk pre-
cipitated war with Mexico without consult
ing Congress. President Johnson, through
the secretary of state, brought about the
withdrawal of French troops from Mexico
after our civil war without asking for any
instructions from Congress. Preside ut
Grant recognized the independence Of the
French republic in 1872 by wiring instruc-
tons to our minister there during the re-
cess of Congress. In short, American his
tory is full Of examples of Presidents TAX
ing the initiative and assuming the entire
responsibility Of shaping foreign policies
without consulting Congress. The constitu-
ton makes the executive an independent,
coordinate branch of the government. as in
dependent as Congress, and it is doubtful
if the latter has any right to question his
action in relation to foreign affairs.
One thing is certain: 1t is the duty of the
President at all times and under all cir
cumstances to take prompt and timely steps
for the protection Of American interests.
The constitution does not contain such a
provision, but it is required by a higher
law even than the constitution. More than
a hundred years ago, when the free naviga-
ton of the Mississippi river, which ran
through Spanish territory, was a para
rotary of state, said IL Spain did not con-
cede us that right sit would be impossible
to answer for the forbearance of our west
ern citizens" He meant they would fight
for it because it was necessary to the pro-
lection of American interests. The free
essential to American interests then than ar
isthmian canal is now, and when a sudden
emergency arose involving those interests ii
was the Presidents duty to take prompt
action for their protection. The Democrats
| cannot make any Roadway opposing the
| Presidents action in the Panama affair or
the ground that he has exceeded his au
| thority. He has not. He has done no more
than he should have done in an emergency