Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-03-07

the spread Of knowledge and free eiuca- tion. Illiteraey must be banished from the land, if we shall attain that high destiny as the foremost of the enlightened nations of the world, which. under Providence we ought to achieve,
 Reforms in the civil service must ge on Hut the changes should be real and genuine. not per- functory or prompted by zeal in behalf of my party simply because it happens to be in power. As a member of congress | voted and spoke in favor of the present law, and shall attempt itx enforcement in the spirit in which 1t was en- acted. The purpose in view was to secure the most efficient service Of the best men who would accept appointment under the government retaining faithful and devoted public servants in office, but shielding none un- der the authority of any rule or custom. who are inefficient, incompetent, or unworthy The best interests of the country demand this. and the people heartily approve the law wherever and whenever it has been thus administered
 Congress should give prompt attention to the restoration of our American merchant marine once the pride Of the seas In ali the great ocean highways of commerce. To my mind, few more It's intelligent consideration The United States has progressed with marvellous rapidity In every field of enterprise and endeaVor until we have become foremost in nearly all the great lines of inland trade. merce and industry. Yet, while this Is true. our American merchant marine has been steadily declining until lt Is now lower, both in pereent- age of tonnage and the number of vessels em- ployed, than it was prior to the civil waE GOrne mendable progress hos been made Of late years in the upbuilding of the American navy. but we must supplement these efforts by providing as proper eonsort for it itamerehant marine amply sufficient for our own carrying trade to foreign countries. The question k one that appeals both to our business necessities and the patriotic aspirations of q great people,
 IL has been the policy of the United States since the foundation of the government. t0 cultivate relations of peace and unity with all the nations of the world, and this decords with my conception of our duty now We have cher- ished the policy Of nen-interference with the affairs of foreign governments, wisely inaugu- rated by Washington, keeping ourselves free from entanglement either as allies or foes, con tent to leave nndisturhed with them the settle- ment of their own domestic concerns. It will be our aim to pursue firm and dgnided foreign policy, which shall be just, impartial ever watehful of our national honor and always insisting upon the en- enforcement of the lawful rights of American citizens everywhere. We want no wars of cons quest; we must avoid the temptation of terri- torial aggression. war should never be en- tered upon until every agency of peace has failed; peace is preferable to war in almost every contingency. Arbitration is the true method of settlement Of international we'll as local or individual differences. 1t was rec~ ognized as the best means of adjustment of dif~ ferences between employers and employees by the Forty-ningth congress- in lSsB and it's ap- plieation was extended to our diplomatic rela- tions by the concurrence of the senate and the house of the Ftfty-tlrst congress in 1890 Tho latter resolution was accepted as ths basis Of negotiations with us by the British house Of commons III leg3 and npon our tnVitar tion treaty of arbitration between the United States and Great Britain was signed ut Wash- ington and transmitted to the senate for it's ratz incation in January last. Since this treaty IA clearly the result Of our own initiative; since is has been recognized as the leading feature of our foreign policy throughout our entire na- tional history-t the adjustment of difficulties by Judicial methods rather than by force of arms and since it presents to the world the glorious example Of reason and peace, not passion and war, controlling the relations between two of the greatest nations 0f the world, example certain to be followed by others, l respectfully urge the early action of the senate thereon, not merely US matter of policy but 2 duty to mankind. The importance if1fiu of fHTufI treaty can hardly be overestinabed in the cause of advancing civilization. II may well engage thought of the statesman and people of every country. and can not but consider 1t fortunate that is was reserved to the United States td have the leadership in 50 grand work.
 Ii has been the uniform practice to avoid aa far as possible the conYening of congress in ex- traordinarg session. It is an example which, under ordinary circumstances and in the ab4 sence Of public necessity, is to be commended. But failure to convene the representatives ot the people in extra session. when 1t involved neglect of | public duty places the responsi- billty of such neglect upon the executive himr self. The condition Of the public treasury, as has been indicated, demands the i'm. mediate consideration of congress. If Se for I the nation s o such circumstances can view in no other sensa than the neglect of plain duty do not sym- pathze with the sentiment that congress in ses< sion Is dangerous to our general business inter- ests. Its members are the agents of the people, and their presence at the seat Of government jn the execution Of the sovereign will should not operate as an injury, but q benefit There could be no better time to put the governs ment upon sound financial and eco. homie basis than now. The people havs done, only recently voted that this Should be and nothing is more binding upon the agents of their will than the obligation Of immediate action It has always seemed to me that the poStpOnement of the meeting of congress until more than year after it has been chosen de- priyed congress too often of the inspiration of the popular will, and the country of the corre- spending benefits It is evident, therefore thai to postpone 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 action will now be freer from the partisan considera~ tion than if the question of tariff revision was postponed until ther egular session of congress-, We are nearly two years from congressional election and politics can not greatly distract us as if such contest was immediately pending, We can approach the problem calmly and pa4 triotically without fearing it's effect upon an carly election. Our fellow-citizens who may disagree with us upon the character of this legislation prefer to have the question settled now even against their preconceiyed views and, perhaps settled so reasonably as ] trust and believe 1t will. as to insure great permanence than to have further uncer< tainty menacing the vast and varied business interests of the United States. Again, what- ever action congress- may take will be @iyen fair opportunity for trial before the people arc called to pass Judgment upon 1t, and this cons slider great essential to the rightful and iastr Ing settlement of the question. In view of these considerations shall deem 1t my duty as presi- dent to convene congress in extraorainary ses@
 
 In conclusion congratulate the country ups on the fratefnal spirit of the people and the manifestations of goodwill everywhere so ap- parent. The recent election not only most fortu- nately demonstrated the obliter2tion of sectional typographical lines, but to some extent also the preludiees which for years have distracted eur councils and marred our true greatness as a na- tion. The triumph Of the people whose ver- dict is carried into elIect to-day. Is not the triumph Of one section. nor wholly of one party, but of all sections and ali the peoples The north and tue south no longer divide on the old lines but upon prrl- eipes and policies: and in this fact sureI5 every lover of the country can find cause for true fs- ltcitatlon. Let us rejoice in and cultivate this spirit; 1t is ennobling, and will be both gain and blessing to our beloved country ItwilI be my constant aim to do nothing, and permit nothing to be done, that will arrest or disturb this growing sentiment of unity and co-Jpera- t1on, this revival of esteem and affiliation which now animates so many thousands Tn both tha old antagonlstic sections. but I shall cheerfully do everything possible to promote and ina crease it.
 Let me again repeat the words Of the oath ad- ministered by the chief justice, which in their respective spheres, so far as aDpljcabe would