The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-12-09
"THE GOVERNMENT AT WASHINGTON
STILL TJVESl

THE GOVERNMENT AT WASHINGTON
STILL LIVES!
WE'LL the president is on the deep blue sea ; he's
outside Of American territorial jurisdiction and
incidentally, within the jurisdiction of good old
J Sea Sickness
Now what are the chatterers and chafferers
against this presidential absence going to do about
it? We don't think they have the CUTS to do any
thing about it.
| But while they're thinking over the thing, the
rest of us can look up the cold facts on this ques-
ton of busted precedents-the departure of a
president for foreign parts.
The federal constitution nowhere forbids Mr..
Wilson to leave American soil during his term of
office.
Article 2, Section 2, of that document says the
president "shall have POWER by and with the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate TO MAKE TREAT
les, provided two-thirds of the senators present
concur
1t doesn't say whether he shall make treaties in
Washington, Paris or Pekn.
Article g. Section /, of the federal constitution
says that in case of the presidents Inability to
dicharge the powers of his office" the office shall
devolve on the vice president
The president u.s. under the constitution COM
mander-in-chief Of the army, navy and militia of
the United States.
How could he act in these capacities and remain
in Washington while the navy was in the North
Sea and the army in France, Belgium, Italy and
Siberia?
By cable and by wireless, of course!
How can he "discharge the powers and duties of
said office of president of these United States
while on the deck of the ship George Washington
or on French or British soil?
By cable and by wireless, of course!
When the constitution was made there were
no cables, no wireless telegraphs, telephones,
steam or electric railroads or airplanes to bridge
distances in minutes and seconds.
The constitution was made in stage-coach days
and some Americans are still interpreting and
thinking Of it in stage-coach terms
President Wilson while abroad can transact the
business and duties of his office as easily as Brown
or Jones of New York can keep their fingers on
their business in Boston or Washington between
meals.
While President Wilson is abroad for the def
mite purpose of seeing that no erroneous interpre-
tation is placed by the peace conferees on his Ut
terances on the great issues to be decided in the
Versailles conference.-the league of nations, the
self-determination of peoples, the destruction Of
mlitarism and other vital questions it is we'll to
remember the explicit language of Article 2, Sec-
ton 2 of the federal constitution quoted above.
President Wilson isn't able to bind this nation to
anything not accepted by two-thirds majority
vote of the United States Senate.
If any untoward thing should happen to Wood
rowland all Americans pray for his safety all the
way going and coming-we will do we'll to remem-
Der the truth emhalmed in the solemn utterance of
General James Abram Garfield to, the throng in
New York when the news of the loss Of Abraham
Lincoln was broken to them:
God reigns and the government at Washington
still lves!!
This is a government of laws and principles, not
of men only. It is safe whether the president is in
Washington or in Paris or Joined to the silent ma
jority"
KEEP UP WITH SANTA CLAUS!
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