The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-26

We Examine . Most Extraordinary
Document The Resumption
OF Politics by President
Wilson'S Decree.
1t is only about a fortnight since
a Democratic Senator and organiza-
ton leader, Mr.. JAMES HAMILTON
LEWIS Of Illinois, astounded the peo-
pie by introducing into the Senate
resolution pledging that body in ad-
vance to approve and indorse what
ever decisions President WILSON
might reach In his unaided mind
with regard to war policies or peace
arrangements. 1t was a proposal to
one house Of the Legislative depart
ment to abdicate its constitutional
functions as an integral part Of the
law making and treaty making estab-
lishment; to turn over its own pow
ers and duties, in the form Of a blank
and yet certified check, to an Execu-
tive ayowedly engaged In making the
world safe for democracy.
Naturally. the attention bestowed
in the Senate and elsewhere upon
this proposal of a crude political i'm
agination, and an imperfect under
standing of our balanced system Of
representative government was mostly
LEwIs's conception Of a republic gov
erned by a single intelligence and the
unrestricted will of an individual
failed to fructify. 1t seemed at the
time to reduce to absurdity the vari-
Gus arguments and proposals tending
toward an<American autocracy. And
yet, strange as was that already nigh
forgotten incident, 1t Is surpassed in
strangeness a thousand times over
by the proposal to the same PRACTICAL
effect that proceeded yesterday from
the White House in the more subtle
phrases and more sophisticated ar
gumentation of President WILSON
himself. Preserving all due respect
for his Qlready sufficiently exalted
office and for his personal statements
of motive, let us try to see what is
really signified by the political docu-
ment addressed by the President, on
the eve of the Congress elections, not
TO his fellow partisans but to his "fel.
low countrymen."
The President tells his fellow coun.
trymen that he will regard votes cast
by Republicans on November 5 for
Republican candidates for the Sixty,
sixth Congress not only as votes ex.
pressive of lack of confidence In him
self as War President and lack OF
support for him in his war response
biiities but also and actually, though
infeentially, as votes lending aid and
comfort to the enemy!
His adoption of this view of the
regular exercise of the franchise
would be almost unbelievable IL his
language were less clear. It is lin
peratively necessary" he says to hi.
fellow citizens, that the nation
should give its undivided support t.
the Government under unified lead
ership; and a Republican Congress.
would divide the leadership" VIZ
give his words as written, though
they present an altogether inaccurat,
statement of the place occupied b,
his Administration. His AdminIstra
ION Is not the Government OF tn,
United States. 1t is part, very
important part, OF that Government
but II is not the whole Government
Another and likewise important par
of that Government is the Legislative
body which 1t becomes the duty q
his fellow citizens to elect ncat Tues
day week, just as 1t was the duty q
his fellow citizens on November :
1915, TO elect an Executive.
lie continues: "The return of
n Republican majority to either hons
Of Congress would, moreover, be cer
= 'ainly Interpreted on the other sid