The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-26

8 pledges by its platform adequate legisli
ton to that end. But 1t denies the rigl
OF the Executive to usurp the power {
= Congress to legislate on that subject. Sue
usurpation was attempted by Pension Ord'
: No. rs, and effect has been given to It by
Congress that dared not resent the usurpt
ton, 1t is said that "this order was mac
! In the performance OF a duty impose
upon the President by act of Congress
but the provision making the impostio
Ia not pointed out. The act to which tn
order refers, which is the one relating t
pensions to Civil War veterans, does nc
authorize pensions on the ground OF agt
IT does grant pensions to those 1suferin
or disabilities, Of a permanent characte
not the result OF their own vicious habit
which so incapacitates them from tn
performance Of manual labor as to rende
them unable to earn support" I'M
specified requirement OF incapacity is !,
persons over 80.
The war closed nearly forty years ago
In the meantime many Of our soldiers ant
sailors long survived the age Of 81 ane
passed away, without receiving any pen
sion. Skilful pension attorneys, hunting
through the statute failed to find there {
reached g. Many prominent veterans
urged the justice Of Congressional actor
giving a service pension to all veterans
gress. And not until March Of this yeaI
did any one ever claim to have made the
discovery that the President had power
to treat the statute as If it read that when
claimant had passed the age OF 81 years
he is necessarily disabled one-half in ability
to perform manual labor and therefore
entitled to a pension.
The president OF the Civil Service Com
mission, Gen. 10 I'm c. Black formerly Com
missioner of Pensions and Commander-in
| 81 kor A., 49, h.,p in
dicated his view of the order when in a
recent address he thanked the President
for what he had done, and advised his
hearers to use their influence that ld,o
might be passed to the same effect. Full
confidence, after all. seems not to have been
! placed on the defence of justification, for
1t is pleaded in mitigation that former
| Democratic President did something look
ing in that direction. Even II that were
| so-which is not admitted-our present
| duty would be none the less plain and i'm
perative. Our people must never tolerate
the citation of one act of usurpation of
power as an excuse for another. The first
may possibly be due to mistake; the second
being based on the first cannot be. In
| explanation, however, it should be said
that the age of rs years should be regarded
as evidence Of inability to perform manual
labor. Few men are able to perform man
ual labor at that age. but nearly all men
are at 90. The. first order is based on a
fact that experience teaches, the other is
based on the ass ertion Of that which is not
true as a general rule.
The old inquiry, what are you going to
do about it?" is now stated In new form.
1t Is said by the Administration, In reply
to the public criticism of this order, that 1T
IL easy to test our opponents sincerity in
this matter The order in question is revo-
cable at the pleasure of the Executive. If
our opponents come into power they can
revoke this order and announce that they
will treat the veterans Of o. and 70
as presumably in full bodily vigor and
not entitled to pension. Will they authori-
tatively state that they intend to do this?
II 50, we accept the issue
This suggests the suspicion, at least, that
the order was made TO create an issue
that it was supposed to present. strong
strategic position in the battle of the ballots.
On the assumption that the order, as stated
by the Administration, ia revooable at the
pleasure OF the Executive. it having
been an attempted, though perhaps un-
tive power and: therefore, unwarranted
by the Constitution, accept the chal-
lenge and declare that II elected I
will revoke that order. But ! go
1 will contribute my effort toward Che
enactment of law to be passed by both
houses Of Congress and approved by the
Executive that will give an age pension with
out reference to disability to the surviving
heroes Of the civil war; and under the pro-
visions of which pension may be accepted
with dignity, because of the consciousness
that 1t comes as a just due from the people
through their chosen representatives, and
not as largess distributed by the Chief
Executive.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The foreign relations Of the Government
have In late years assumed special impor-
lance. Prior to the acquisition Of the Phil
ippines, We were practically invulnerable
against attacks by foreign States. Those
tropical possessions, however, 1000 miles
from our shores, have changed all this,
and have, in effect, put us under bonds to
keep the peace The new conditions call for a
management OF foreign affairs the more
circumspect in that the recent American
invasion Of foreign markets in all parts Of
the world has excited the serious apprehen-
sion OF all the great industrial peoples. 1t is
essential, therefore, more than ever, to
adhere strictly to the traditional policy Of
the country as formulated by its first Pres
dent-and never, In my Judgment, wisely
departed from-to invite friendly relations
with all nations while avoiding entangling
alliances with any Such policy means the
cultiv alton OF peace instead of the glorifca-
ton OF war, and the minding Of our own bust
ness in lieu OF spectacular intermeddling
strict observance of the principles of inter-
national law and condemns the doctrine
that a great State, by reason of it's strength,
may rightfully appropriate the sovereignty
or territory Of small state on account OF it's
weakness. 1t means for other American
states that We claim no rights and will as
sumo no functions save those OF friend |
and OF an ally and defender as against
European aggressions. 1t means that we |
repudate the role Of the American conti- |
mental policeman: that we refuse to act as |
debt collector for foreign states or their |
that we respect the independent |
sovereignty Of each American State and its |
right to preserve order and otherwise regu- |
late It's own internal affairs in It's own way; !
and that any Intervention in its affairs by !
US is limited to the single Office of enabling |
it's people to work out their own political |
and national destiny for themselves free
from the coercion of any European State.
REFORM IN GOVERNMENTAL EXPENDITURES.
Twenty-eight years have passed since the
party Of the State of New York,
in convention assembled, recommended to
the national Democracy the nomination Of
Samuel j. Tilden as It's candidate for the
and declared it to be "their
settled conviction that a return to the
principles, frugal expenses
and administrative purity Of the founders
Of the republic is the first and most i'm
perious duty Of the times-the commanding
issue now before the people Of the Union"
This strong expression was called forth
by the national expenditures for the wear