The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1918-12-12
A QUESTION FOR RE-
PUBLICANS TO CONSIDER

Various reasons are given why the
resolutions introduced in Congress
declaring the presidential office va
cant rs result Of Mr.. Wilson's tour
abroad cannot be adopted and cannot
be made effective, even as the basis
Of lawsuit, if passed by anything
less than a two-thirds vote.
With Democratic majorities in both
houses, to say nothing of respecta-
Bile element on the Republican side
that is not disposed to follow humbly
q leadership like that of Senator
Sherman, which is clearly malicious,
the prospect of favorable action is
remote indeed.
Even if some such measure should
command a majority of Congress, it
would not become a law until sign
ed by the President, and it is under
stood that, except in a great emer-
gency, the Vice-P President and Speak
err of the House are not to attest the
passage of any bill or resolution UNI
til the President returns. II is point
ed out also that Democrats as well
as Republicans are expert filibuster-
ers, and. furthermore, that, even if
Congress should agree to some kind
Of legislative violence. such as ignor
ing veto executed in foreign /
country, the courts would be heard |
from with emphasis; and, finally, that !
one Thomas Riley Marshall, in whose |
person every one of these mighty en- /
terprises center, is no more likely TO I
lend himself to usurpation than he is
TO become a candidate for one. of the [
vacant European thrones.
All these things stand in the way
of the plans Of the Shermans, but (
there is one more, and that is the .
most important Of all. which is the /
law-abiding character Of the Ameri- /
can people, their capacity for self
government and their inveterate Ia. /
tired Of everything having the appear
ance, to say nothing Of the reality, Of
tric',ery. treachery and turmoil in
Government
Gentlemen at Washington who fail /
to reckon with this fact are going TO |
make the mistake of their lives,
whether the Presidents absence is
wise or unwse
We suppose that in body having
a membership SO numerous as that of |
Congress there must necessarily be
several characters like Lawrence Y .
Sherman, subject to few restraints Of
judgment or propriety In most cas-
es the performances Of such per
sons involve only themselves and
they alone bear the odium of their
folly or vindictiveness. IN this In.
stance, however. the purpose is 20
make She Republican party respons'-
bic for the contemplated disorder f.
and, unless the real leaders Of that
organization are heard from pretty /.
soon. the effort may BE- successful In +
a way
The Presidents departure being .
lawful. il cannot be outlawed after
the fact The absence Of any law on .
the subject is the fault u Congress
alone Frantic Republican partisans
who. with any excuse, undertake now
by legislative commandments pat
termed after the recipes Of Diaz and
Carranza, 20 revolutionize this Cow
eminent Of the United States should
be disciplined, first Of all, by their
own organization, which is in greater
danger from such excuses than the
Government. as everybody must ad-
nit. That they will be judged even
tually by Americans. without respect
Of party, is certain.
Our people as a whole are exceed
ingly patient, but they viii not toier
ate the Shermans Representative
Mann has seen the light. and Repuh
licans generally may as well grasp
truth now as later ST Louis Pc
Dispatch