The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-03-05

marine, once the pride of the seas In all
M. w great ocean highways of commerce..
my mind there are few more important
subjects which imperatively demand its
Intelligent consideration. The United
states has progressed with marvellous rap
iuit! In every field of enterprise and en-
deavor until we have become foremost In
nearly all the great lines of trade and in
uustry Yet while this is true our Ameri
can merchant marine has been steadily
uechhing until 1t is now lower in the per-
oehtage OF tonnage and number OF yeaspls
efnpioyed than 1t was prior to the clyil
VAT. Commensurate progress has been made
" 'ate years In the upbuilding OF the navy.
out we must supplement these efforts by
providing as proper consort for il a fler
chant marine amply sufficient for our own
carrying trade to foreign countries Tho
question appeals both TO our business me-
cossi,ie ana the patriotic aspirations Of
great people.
IL has been the policy Of the United
states since the foundation Of the govern.
hent TO cultivate relations of peace and
anity with all The Nations OF the world.
ana This accords with my conception of
'ur iuty now. We have cherished the pol
ICY nt non-interference with the affairs of
ioreign governments, wisely inauguratod
by Washington. keeping ourselves free
iiVh tHlduEltnentS, eitnnr as alileS or
ioes. content to leave undisturbei with
them the settlement of their own ,iomos-
tic concerns. II will be our aim so pursue
frm and dignihed foreign policy, which
shall be Just. impartial ever watchful Of
cur National honor. and always insisting
upon the enforcement of the lawful rights
OF American citizens everywhere our
diplomacy should seek nothing mare ana
accept nothing less than Is due us. We
want no wars of conquest; 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 contin-
gency.
Arbitration Is the true method of set
Element Of international as well as local
| or individual differences. II was recog
n2od as the best means of adjustment OF
differences between employer and EN-
| ployes by the Forty ninth congress in 1856
and It's application was extended 10 our
| dlplocatc relations by the unanimous con
| currence of the senate and house of the
| Fifty-hrst congress IN 1890. he lattor roso
ution was accepted as a basis of negota-
tion with the United States by the British
! house in 1890, and on our invitation q
| treaty OF arbitration between the United
| States and Great Britain was signed and
| transmitted TO the senate for ratification
| last JInc. Since this treaty is clearly thu
result OF our own initiative; since II has
Deen recognized as the leading feature OF
1ur foreign policy throughout our Natlona
/ history--the adjustment of differences be-
tween judicial methods rather than by force
| OF arms and since Il presents to the world
| tho glorious example OF reason and peace
/ not passion and war, controlling the rrala
| lions between two of the greatest Nations
OF the world. an example certain to be 'el'
| lowed by others, | respectfully urge tut
| t1 notion n the gpnntp. not merely n
a matter OF policy, but as Il duty to man
| kind The importance and moral influence
Of the ratification OF such treaty ear
hardly be overestimated in the cause o
advancing civilization.
II has been the uniform practice OF eacl
president to avoid as far as possible Tn
converting OF congress in extraordinar.
session. 1t is an example which, unde
ordinary circumstances and in the an
| seuce of Il public necessity is to be com
| mended. But II failure TO convene IN
| representatives of the people in congres
in session when it involves neglect Of
public duty, places the responsibility c
| suLh a neglect on the executive. The con
dition OF the treasury. as has been ma
Gated, demands the immediate eonsldera
ton OF congress. IL alone has the powe
to provide revenues. Not TO convene
/ uuuNf SUCH Nli WV :
no other sense than tho neglect of plai
duty. | do not sympathi2e with the senti
mont that congress in session is dangerou
10 n,tr general business interests. Their
could be 10 better time TO put the GOV
ornment on a sound financial and economi
basis than now. The people have oni
recently voted that this should he don
and nothing is more binding upon tn
AGENTS of their win than the obligation 9
immediate action. 1t has always SCENE
| to nc that the postponemcnt OF the meein
Of congress until more than year alte
| IL has been chosen deprived congress to
often of the inspiration OF the popular wi
and the country OF the corresponding pen
| Gifts. II is plain. therefore, that to post
pone action in the presence Of so great
necessity would be unwise on the part q
the executive. our action now viii b
freer from mere partisan considerable
| than IL the question OF tariff revision wa
postponed until the regular session OF con
! gress We are nearly two years from
! congressional election and politics can nc
| so greatly distract us as IL such contes
| was Immediately upon us. We can an
proaoh the problem calmly and patriot
| ically without fearing its effect on earl
election. our fellow citizens who may dis
agree with us upon the character OF I'M
| legislation prefer TO have the ouestio
settled now. even II against their Views
and perhaps Setlieu 50 it"sp'ai'is' 40
trust and believe 1t Will be. ms 10 insur
great permanence than to have furthe
uncertainty menacing the vast and varie
| business Of the United States
Again whatever action congress ma
take win be given a fair opportunity 10
trial before the people are called to pas
Judgment upon H. and this consider
great essential to the rlghtful and lastin
settlement OF the question In view Q
these considerations I shall 6aem II m
duty 10 convene congress In extraord'nar
session on Monday. Gsrch 10. 1897.
In conclusion, | congratulate the eountr
upon tho fraternal spirit Of the people an
the manifestation of goodwill everywhere
so aprarent. The recent election not onl
most fortunately demonstrated the oplitera
I, don OF sectional or geographical lines, bu
to some extent also the prejudiees whici
for years have distracted our councils an
|, marrea our trne greatness as nation. tn
triumph Of the people, whose verdict Is car
ried into effect today. Is not the trump!
OF one section. nor wholly Of one party, bu
Of all sections and of all the people. Tn
North aud South no longer divide on IN
l~l..