Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-06-26
Editorial Opinion
ETERNAL VIGILANCE is THE
PRICE OF DEMOCRACY TOO

PRICE OF DEMOCRACY TOO
From the New York Sun.
We have not heard that the British
Parliament has surrendered any OF
the immense powers which make Il
the most important legislative body
in the world. Where Great Britain has
found It necessary 20 centralize au-
thorlty for the period OF the war Par
Lament has delegated some OF its
powers TO one or more men. Parlia-
ment could do this because, at any
moment. Il can overthrow the Minis
try and force a complete reorganiza-
ton OF the British Government from
top to bottom.
IN Parliament does not like the way
Mr.. Lloyd George or his associates
conduct any phase OF the war. Mr..
Lloyd George or his associates have
no choice but to seek the nearest exit
from Office without delay.
Neither Mr. Lloyd George nor. his
predecessors have had or can have
the inherent war powers Of the Pres.
ident of the United States; nor can
the British War Council pursue pol.
icy Of which a majority OF the repre-.
sentatives OF the British people dis
approve.
The Congress OF the United States
has never possessed the powers OF
the British Parliament. II cannot
make and unmaSe Cabinets; Il can.
not upset the policies Of the Execu.
tive; 10 cannot force changes in the
military conduct OF a war
Yet the Congress Of the United
states is now expected to make over
Internationally to the Executive the
powers expressly conferred upon Il
by the Constitution, on the plea that
this IS necessary for the success Of
America IN the present war.
The plea Is utterly fallacious. Based
on the acts Of the British Parliament
II ignores entirely the structural diff
ferences between our Government
and the Government Of the United
Kingdom.
Would Parliament ever have so
much az delegated Its authority 10
man here and two or three men there
II It had known that It could not re.
call them instantly? Not by a long
shot But II the Congress gives food
control to man here and news con
troll TO few men there, shipping con.
troll TO some one else and financial
control to another little coterie, Con.
gress abdicates for the duration OF
the war, Congress surrenders powers
the Constitution says it must exer-
else, Congress is reduced to a group
OF chosen representatives or the
American people who have nothing 20 !
do but sit and criticlse.
But not only Is Congress being |
mlled upon TO hand over piecemeal |
TO the Executive It's various powers:
1t is expected, in the words Of a Wash /
lngton despatch. to subscribe TO Mr. |
Wilson's method OF picking men for 1
offices and then directing the Con
gress OF the United States to write a /
law around the personality OF the |
Presidents particular choice for the /
Office which Congress is By him dir
ected 20 create"
What Congress should do n 70 en-.
act the laws necessary for the sue
cessful conduct of the war according
TO its own wisdom, be that great or
small. Il will be infinitely better for
the future OF this country n both the
Legislative and Executive Depart.
ments OF the Government perform
their own functions and make and
correct their own mistakes. That Is
the essence Of democracy and we
shall not make the world safe for
democracy" by abandoning represen-
tative government at home.