The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-03-11

as matter of policy, but as duty to
mankind. The Importance and moral
Influence of the ratification of such a
treaty can hardly be overestimated
| in the cause of advancing civilization.
| 1t may well engage the best thought
| Of the statesmen and people of every
| country, and | cannot but consider it
fortunate that it was reserved to the
| United States to have the leadership
| in so grand a work.
| 1t has been the uniform practice of
| each President to avoid, as far as
! possible, the converting of Congress
| in extraordinary session. 1t is an eX-
ample which, under ordinary circum-
stances and in the absence of a public
necessity, is to be commended. But
a failure to convene the representa-
tives of the people in Congress in eX-
ira session when it involves neglect
of public duty, places the response
bility of such neglect upon the eXecu-
tive himself The condition of the
! public treasury, as has been indica
| ted, demands the immediate cOnsid-
GRAFTON of Congress. 1t alone has the
I power to provide revenues for the
government. Not to convene it I'M
| der such circumstances | can view in
no other sense than the neglect of a
| plain duty. | do not sympathize with
| the sentiment that Congress i'll session
| is dangerous to our general business
| interests. Its members are the agents
| Of the people, and their presence at
! the seat of government in the eXecu-
| ton of the sovereign will should not
| operate as an injury, but benefit.
yI9eere should be no better time to put
I the government upon sound imam
| cial and economic basis than now.
! The people have only recently voted
that this should be done, and moth
| ing is more binding upon the agents
of their will than the obligation of
| immediate action.
1t has always seemed to me that
the postponement OF the meeting of
Congress until more than a year after
it has been chosen deprived Congress
too often of the inspiration of the
popular will and the country of the
corresponding benefits.
1t is evident, therefore, that to post
pOne action in the presence of so great
necessity would be unwise on the
part of the executive, because unjust
to the interests Of the people. Our
actions now will be freer from mere
partisan consideration than II the
| question of tariff revision was post
| poned until the regular session of
| Congress. We are nearly two years
from congressional election, and
politics cannot so greatly distract us
as if such a contest was pending. We
can approach the problem calmly and
patri0tically, without fearing its eff
feet upon an early election. Our fel-
low-citizens who may disagree with
us upon the character of this legisla-
ton, prefer to have the question set
tied now, even against their precon-
ceived views-and perhaps settled so
reasonably, as trust and beleVe II
will be, as to insure great permanence
than to have further uncertainty
menaclng the vast and varied buSl-
ness interests OF the United States.
Again, whatever action Congress may
take will be given fair opportunity
fer trial before the people are called
TO pass Judgment upon II, and this |
consider great essential to the right
full and lasting settlement of the
question. In view OF these considera-
tons, l shall deem 1t my duty as
PfeslQen0 TO convene Congress- III eN-
- A''0i - 4N->J YIN
loth Gay OF March, 1871
IN conclusion, l congratulate the
country upon me iratefnaI spirit OF
the people ana the manifestation Oh
Sood VIII everywhere apparent me
recent election not only most 1ortu
nateiy demonstrated the o3!iteratlon
OF sectional or geographical lines, nu'
TO some extent also tne prejqdlce>
when Tor years nave distracted oui
councils and married our true great
ness as a nation. me 5"uHph OF tnt
people, whose verdict IL carried lht(
eflect to-day, IS not the triumph o.
one section, nor wholly OF one party
but OF all sections ana al! the people
The North ana South no longer dlNlc(
on the ora lines, but upon principles
and policies; and IN TINS tact surely
every lover OF the country can Inc
cause Tor true ieilcltatlon. LEI US re
Sg,,r,ol,Iinla o,,d Vii hn Xxx - l,., j.,
and blessinc 10 our beloved country
1t will be my constant aim to do noth
ing, ana permit no{nng 10 oe zone
&C. ~ ',lIGsI 80 e. % - ''al9 iom
ti0n, this revival of esteem and afiiji
alton which now animates SO many
thousands IN both the OLD antagonlS