The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-03-05

under the Government, retaining faithful
and devoted public servants in Office. but
shielding none, under the authority OF
any rule or custom, who are inefficient,
incompetent or unworthy. The best In
! terests of the c,untry demand this. and
| the people heartily approve the law
wherever and whenever it has been thus
administered.
Congress should give prompt atten..
ton to the restoration of our American
merchant marine, once the pride of the
seas in all the great ocean highways of
commerce. To my mind few more impor.
tant subjects SO imperatively demand an
Intelligent consideration. The United
States has progressed with marvellous
rapidity in every field of enterprise and
cndeavor until we have become foremost
in nearly all the great lines of inland
trade, commerce aud industry. Yet,
while this is true, our American mer-
chant marine has been steadily declining
until it is now lower both in the percent.
age OF tonnage and the number of vessels
employed than it was prior to the civil
war. Commendable progress has been
made OF late years i'll the upbuilding of
the American navy, we must supplement-
these efforts by providing rs proper
consort for it II merchant marine amply
sufficient for our own carrying trade to
that appeals to both our business necessi-
ties and the patriotic aspirations of Il
great people.
1t has been the policy of the United
States since the foundation of the Gov
eminent to cultivate relations of peace
and amty with al the nations of the
world, and this uccords with my concep-
ton of our duty. 1t will he our aim to
pursue Il firm and dignilicd foreign pol.
lev which shall be just, impartial, ever
watchful of our national honor and al.
ways insisting upon the enforcement of
the lawful rights of American citizens
everywhere. We want no wars of con-
quest; we must avoid the temptation of
territorial aggression. War should never
be entered upon until every agency of
peace has failed; peace is preferable to
war IN almost every contingency Arbi.
tratiOn is the true method of settlements
OF International as we'll rs local or indi-
vidual differences. 1t was recognized rs
the best means of adjustment of differ
ences between employers and employees
by the Forty. ninth Congress, 1886. ana its
application was extended to our diplo-
matte relations by the unanimous concur
renee of the Senate and House of the
tlfty-iitth Congress in 1890. The lattcr
resolution was accepted rs the basis of
negotiations with us by the Br;tish.house
OF commons in 1913 and upon orr invita-
ton Il treaty of arbitra ton bet ween the
United States and Great Britain was
signed ut Washington, and transmitted
to the Senate for its ratification, lin
January last. Since this treaty is clear.
~ the result OF our own initiative; since
1T has been recognized as the leading
feature of our foreign policy throughout
our eEtire national history-thc adjust
ment of difficulties by judicial methods
rather than by force of arms presents
to the world the glorious example of rea-
son ana peace, not passion and war con.
trolling the relations between two of the
greatest nations of the world, an exam
pie certain to be followed by others. I
respectfully urge the earliest action of
the senate thereon, net merely as IL mat.
ter OF policy, but rs n duty to mankind.
Ihe lmporinncc and moral influence of
the ratilicntIon of such treaty can
hardly be over estimated i'm the cause of
advancing civilization. 1t may we'll en-.
gage the best thoughts of the statesmen
anu people of every country, and cannot
put consider 1t fortunate that it was re.
served to the United States to have the
leadership in so grand n work
IL hSs been the uniform practice of
each President to avoid rs far as possible
the converting of Congress in extraordi-
nary session. 1t is an example which nm.
der ordinary circumstances and in the
absence OF n pablo necessity is to be
commended.
But failure to convene the represen.
tatlves of the people IN Congress i'm extra
session when it involves neglect of n
public duty, places the responsibility OF
such neglect upon the executive himself.
The condition of the public treasury. ms
has been indicated, demands the immedi.
ate consideration of Congress- 1t alone
mas the power to provide revenues for the
Government. Not to convene it under
such circumstances ! can view in no
other sense than the neglect of Il plain
duty. do not sympathizc with the sen.
timent that Congress in session is dan
gerous to cur general business interests.
It's members are the agents of the people
ana their presence ut the seat of Govern
ment in the execution OF the SOVEREIGN
Will should not operate as an injury hut
benefit. There could be no better time
TO put the Government upon Il sound
financial and economic basis than nov
Inc people have only recently voted that
this should be DONE and nothing is more
binding upon the agents of their will
than the obligation of immediate action
1t has always seemed to me that the post
ponement of the meeting of Congress ur-
I'll more than year after it has been
chosen deprived Congress too often of
the inspiration of the popular will and
the country of the corresponding bene-
hts. III Is evident, therefore, that to post
ponc action in the presence of so oreat ,
necessity would lie unwise on the mart nj
the executive because unjust to the in
terests of the people Our actions now
VIII he frecr from mere partisan consil.
Grafton than if the question of tariff re-
vision was postponed until the regular
session OF Congress. We are nearly two
years from Congressional election and
politics can not so greatly distract ms rs