The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-05


nland iris, and the people heartily ap-
has been administered.
MERCHANT MARINE.
Congress should give prompt attention
10 the restoration of our American mer-
chant marine, once the pride of the seas
in all tfle great ocean highways of COM
merce. To my mind few more import
ant subjects 50 imperatively demand its
intelligent consideration. The United
States has progressed with marvellous
rapidly in every field of enterprise and
endeavor until we nave become foremost
in nearly ali the great lines OF inland
trade, commerce and industry. Yet,
while this is true, our American mer-
chant marine has been steadily declining
Until il is now lower both in the per
centage and tonnage and the number or
vessels employed, than IL was prior TO
the civil war Commendabie progress
has been made Of late years in the up
building of the American navy, but We
must supplement- these efforts by proyid-
ing as a proper consort for It a merchant
marine amply sufficient for our own car
rying trade TO foreign countries. The
question is one that appeals both to our
BUSINESS necessities and the patriotic as
pira;ions of a great people.
FOREIGN POLICY.
I. has been the policy Of the United
States since the foundation of the gov
eminent to cultivate relations Of peace
ami amity with all the nations of the
world ard this accords with my concep-
ton OF our duty now. We have cherish
ed the policy of non-interference with the
affairs OF foreign governments, wisely in
augurated by Washington, keeping our
selves frCm ENHANCEMENT, either as allies
or foes, content 10 leave undisturbed with
them the settlement of their own donles-
tic concerns 1t will be our aim TO pur-
sue finn and dignified foreign policy,
which shall be just. impartial, even
watchful OF our national honor and al
ways insisting upon the enforcement OF
the lawful rights OF American citizens
everywhere Our diplomacy should seek
nothing more, and accept nothing less,
than is cue Us.
WAR AND ARBITRATION.
We want nc wars Of conquest; we must
avoid the temptation of territorial ag-
Gression. War should never be entered
upon until every agency Of peace has
failed; peace is preferable 20 war in al
most every contingency. Arbitration is
The true method of settlement of inter-
rational as We'll as local or individual
differences.
1t was recognized as the best means of
adjustment of differences between en-
ployers and employees by the Forty
ninth congress, in 1886, and its applica-
ton was extended to our diplomatic re-
lations by the unanimous concurrence of
the senate and house OF the Fifty-first
congress in 1890. The latter resolution was
accepted as the basis of negotiations
with us by the British house of commons,
in 1898, and upon our invitation treaty
Of arbitration between the United States
and Great Britain was signed at Wash
ington ana transmitted 10 the senate for
its ratification in January last. Since
this treaty is clearly the result of our
own Initiative; since ii has been recog-
nized as the leading feature of our for
eign policy throughout our entire ma
tionai hisjory-the adjustment OF diff
culties by judicial methods rather than
by force of arms-and since 1t presents
to the world the glorious example OF
reason and peace, not passion and war,
controlling the relations between two OF
the greatest nations of the world, an
example certain to be followed by others,
respectfully urge the early action Of the
senate thereon, not merely as a matter
If policy, but as duty to mankind. The
Importance and moral influence of the
ratification cs such a treaty can hardly
be overestimated in the cause Of advanc-
Ing civilization. 1t may we'll engage the
best thought OF the statesmen and peo-
pie of every country, and L cannot but
consider il fortunate that it was reserv-
ed to the United States to have the lead
ership 10 SO grand work.
EXTRA SESSION.
1t has been the uniform practice Of
each president to avoid, as far as posi-
be. the converting of congress in ex-
traordinary session. 1t is an example
which, under ordinary circumstances
and in the absence Of a public necessity,
is nc. TO be commended. But a failure
20 convene the representatives OF the
people in extra session when il involves
neglect OF a public duty, places the re-
sponsibility OF such neglect upon the ex-
ecutiye himself The condition of the
public treasury, as has been indicated,
demands the immediate consideration Of
congress. 1t alone has the power to
provide revenues for the government.
Not to convene It under such circum-
stances, I can view in no other sense
than the neglect of plain duty. / do
not sympathize with the sentiment that
congress in session is dangerous 10 our
general business interests. Its men,
bers are the agents OF the people, and
in the execution of the sovereign will
should not operate as an injury but
benefit. There could be no better time
10 put the government upon sound fl
nancial and economic basis than now.
The 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 immendite action.
It has always seemed 10 me that the
postponement Of the meeting Of congress
until more than a year after is has been
chosen. deprives congress too often Of
the inspiration of the popular will, and
the country OF the corresponding bene-
fits Il is evident. therefore. that TO
postpone action in the presence Of so
great necessity would be unwise on the
part OF the executive because unjust 10
the interest Of the people. Our action
new will be freer from mere partisan
consideration than il the question OF
tariff revision was postponed until the
regular session OF congress. We are
nearly two years from a congressional
election. and politics cannot so greatly