The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-11
PANAMA TOLLS.
The Curious Attempt 20 Put Platforms
A,Wyc the lOnspnut ION.

To THE EDITOR or THE SuN--Sir. Prac-
ticaly all those Democrats who voted
against repeal of the toll exemption pro-
vision based their action on and sought
to justify IL by the fact that the
Baltimore platform of their party con-
tanned declaration In favor OF such
exemption, and that as they ana theif
party we're elected upon tho declara-
tons of said platform they feel In
honor bound thereby. Such position
is not only untenable. but IL carried to
it's logical conclusion is an absurdity,
and one that they cannot sustain before
the people. Their action presents the
question, as to which there can be ma
difference OF opinion among honoraole
men, whether their oath OF oftlce 10 sup
port the Constitution is greater obiiga-
ton and more binding upon them than
the declarations of their party platform.
II has not infrequently happened that
through inadvertence or ignorance party
platforms have contained declarations IN
respect to matters that were IN direct
conflict with the plain provisions OF the
Constitution of the United states. In re-
spect to this very matter. 1t Ia asserted
by some of the most eminent authorities
not only in our own country but in all
the leading countries OF the world That
the aforesaid exemption of our coastwise
vessels approved by the Democratic pat
form is a violation Of our treaty obliga-
tons with Great Britain. Assuming this
TO be true Il Is incunceivable how any
member OF Congress who has any appre-
citation of the obligations OF an OATH can
Justify his action IN voting against the
repeal of this law solely because MS
marty platform contains declaration IN
favor OF IL. when he has sworn to support
the Constitution. which provides In Articie
VI. Section 2. as follows
This Constitution. and the laws OF the
United States which shall he made In pur-
suance thereof. and all treaties made. or
which shan be made. under the authority
OF the United states shall be the supreme
law of the land; and tho Judges In every
state shall be bound thereby. anything In
the Constitution or laws OF any state to
the contrary notwithstanding.
They cannot Justify their vote with the
people on this ground alone, but IN addl-
ton they must prove to the satisfaction
OF the American public that the exenp-
ton Of our couStwise vessels from tolls
is not only not in violation Of the Hay
Pauncefcte treaty. but Is also a sound
economic policy.
The declarations Of parG platforms are
not to 10 lightly regarded, and when they
do not run counter to the Constitution
of the United States and our treaties made
In pursuance thereof every demand on
honor and good faith requires that they
should be observed nvioate.
It cannot be presumed that tho electo'
rate ~ the United states commissioned
an individual or a party 10 violate the
funda mental law Of the land or our treaty
obligations simply because the platform
upon which they are elected To- office
contains a declaration In violation Of
both To hold this would convict the
American people OF folly and dishonor
and mako Of our nation a patiah among
the nations OF the earth, and our Consti'
I tuition, treaties and laws not the supren'
law Of the land, hut subordinate TO party
platforms and declarations.
AtExANpER SIDNEY LASiER
| RICHMoSp. Va. April 2.