The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-03-06
The President and Congress.

The President and Congress.
To analyze the motives that move
members OF the House Of Representa-
kaves TO deny the President authority
20 conduct the foreign affairs Of the
Government without su%bordinating
himself to Congress Is not so simple
rs II seems Mt first sight. There is
NO doubt an element in the House
xhnt Is conscientious and honest In
Ats opposition to his assertion of pre-
Togative, believing that It should have
something to say about the con-
~froversies with Germany and Great
Britain and share with the President
The responsibility Of guiding the "Shlp
Of State" through the breakers. This
element means well. but its composite
mind Is parochial. and ii has an i'm
perfect understanding of the philoso-
ply of the Constitution furthermore.
1t knows little or nothing about inter.
national relations aud the functions
Of the Department Of State.
There Is another element in the
House that lives In mortal terror of
u diplomatic rupture because il may
be followed by war. This element Is
even willing. perhaps unconsciously.
to forfeit the rights OF the United
States that are r|ravcly involved If
peace can thus be assured.
But when this has been said there
remain the political and personal mo-
tives that actuate members Of the
majority, n considerable number of
them, we are afraid. The fact that
Mr.. BRYAN is so active from the wings
in %carryin: m what * ~o>tenSibly n
peace propaganda hut is really II cam
paign 10 discre,lu. weaken and under
mine the President. leaves no Don
for doubt that there is another ele-
ment In Congress that j. not con-
scientious and honest in criticising
and opposing the President.
There Is still another element that
is nor concerned about It's fences
'back home" than about rho honor
and repute OF the United States. II
takes color from constituents who
care just as little about the honor
and good name of the United States.
In this group are Republicans as we'll
ms Democrats. The personal equation
also has something to do with the
unseemly wrancle and confusion of
purpose in the House. Certain mem
bers have never been in sympathy
with President WILSON from the day
the Baltimore convention adjourned
others have since developed 4 dislike
for him-he Is DIR. FELL to them, or
they do not like his treatment of
them.
Now members Of Mr.. WILSON'S
party may dislike him; others may
fear there will be grave complica-
lions If Congress does not intervene
IN his conduct of international rela-
lions; others may be concerned only
about pleasing constituents with no
regard to the duty they owe the union
of these States: but there can be no
doubt Of the mischievous and baleful
effect of the spectacle Of II Congress
that fails in n supreme crisis to hold
M the hands of the President, who
may have made mistakes hut who
Is earnestly striving 10 keep the coun
try out of war and NJ the same time
maintain its rights unimpaired. Moth
ing could be more fatuOus and blind
Than 10 give tho holligcrcntS in Eu-
rope the impression thar tho Ameri-
can Government was divided against
: itself, and that therefore no attention
need be paid 10 its professions and
protests.
2 We trust that for m" good name
md welfare of the nation and It's self
respect Congress viii come 70 It's
senses without more nGlrcrlng and
evasion and show the world 10y a vote
of confidence In III" President, or by
action equivalent 20 II, that he repro
gents the American people not only
in their hope of peace hut also in
their firm determination not TO h'
triQcd with and Inundated.