The Forrest City times., 1897-03-12
against all -no come here so make war upon

them our gates must be promptly and tightly closed Nor iuust we be unmindful of the need of improvement among our own citizens. bus with the zeal Of fOrefathers encourage the spread of knowledge and free educa- tion. llliteracy must be banished from ths 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 go on. But the changes should be real and genuine. not per- functory or prompted by zeal in behalf of any 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 it's enforcement in the spirit in which 1t was en- acted. The purpose fin view was to secure the most eniclent service Of the best 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. Tho best interests of the country demand this and the people heartily approve the law whereveP and whenever 1t has been thus administered.
 Congress should give prompt attention to the restoration of American merchant marine. once the pride of the seas in all the great ocean important subjects imperatively demand its intelligent consideration. The United randitv hns n evpr9 prosIsssea sd w,n marvelous endeavor until we have become foremost in nearly all the great lines of inland trade. com- merce and industry. Yet, while this Is true, our American merchant marine has been steadily declining until it is now lower. both fin percent- age Of tonnage and the number of vessels em-
 
 mendable progress has been made of late years in the upbuilding of the American navy, but wa proper consort for 1t merchant marine amply suncient for our own carrying trade to foreign countries. The question Is one that appeals aspirations of a great people.
 It has been the policy of the United States since the foundation of the government, to cultivate relations Of peace and unity with all the nations of the world, and this accords with my conception of our duty now. We have cher- ished the policy Of non-interference with tho affairs of foreign governments. wisely inaugu- rated by Washington, keeping ourselves free from entanglement either as allies or foes con- tent to leave undisturbed with them the settle- ment of their own domestic concerns It will be our aim to pursue . firm and dignifed foreign p9cy asebia wnsa shall be ius mparta
 enforcement of the lawful rights of American quest; we must avoid the temptation of terri. torial aggression. A 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, as well as local or individual differences. It was rec ognized as the best means of adjustment of dif- ferences between employers and employees by the Forty-ningth congress, in 1888. and it's ap- plication was extended to our diplomatic rela~ tions by the concurrence of the senate and the house of the Fffty-first congress fin 1890 The latter resolution was accepted the basis Of negotiations with us by the British house of commons in 1898, and upon our invita- tion a treaty of arbitration between the United States and Great Britain was signed at wash- ington and transmitted to the senate for it's rat- ifcation in January last. Since this treaty Id clearly the result of our own initiatives since it has been recognized as the leading feature of our foreign policy throughout our entire na- tional history-the adjustment of dificulties by judicial methods rather than by force ol world the glorious example of reason and peace, not passion and war; controlling the relations between two of the greatest nations of ex ftfala enrraf in haf fofn cd tx. others, respectfully urge the early action of the senate thereon, not merely as matter of policy, but duty to mankind. The importance and moral influence of the ratification of such a treaty can hardly be overestifnated in the cause of advancing civilization It 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 to have the leadership in so grand work.
 It has been the uniform practice to avoid as far as possible the conyening of congress In ex. traordnary session. It is an example which, under ordinary circumstances and in the abs sence of public necessity is to be commended. But a failure to convene the representatives oi the, people in extra session, when 1t involves neglect of a public duty, places the rcsponsi. bility of such neglect upon the executive him. self. The condition of the public treasury aa has been indicated, demands the i'm. r for I the nation to andes such circumstances can view in no other sensa than the neglect of plain duty. do not sym. pathize with the sentiment that congress fin ses. sion IS Dangerous to our general business inter. ests It's members are the agents of the people, and their presence at the seat of government il the execution of the sovereign will should not operate as an injury. but q benefit. There could be no better time to put the govern. ment upon sound financial and eco. homie basis than now. The people have 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 1t has been chosen, des prived congress too often of the inspiration of the popular will, and the country of the core. spending benefits. 1t Is evident, therefore, that to postpone action in the presence of so great necessity would be unwise on the part of tho Of the people Our action will now be freer from the partisan considera- tion than if the question of tarif revision wac postponed until ther egular session of congress We are nearly two years from congressional election, and politics can not so greatly distract us as if such contest was immediately pending We can approach the problem calmly and pa- trfotfcally without fearing it's effect upon an early election. Our fellow-eitizens who may disagree with us upon the character of thia legislation prefer to have the question settled now even against their preconceived views-> and, perhaps, settled so reasonably. .as ] trust and believe 1t will, as to insure great permanence-than to have further uncers tainty menactng the vast and varied business interests of the United States. Again, whats ever action congress may take will be given . fair opportunity for trial before the people arc called to pass judgment upon it. and this cons siucI Rftht tcNtNtldl tO tnt TixntIul ana iaSts Ing settlement of the question. In view of these considerations shall deem it my duty presi. dent to convene congress in extraordinary sess sion on Monday. the 18th day of March. 1897. In conclusion. congratulate the country up. on the fraternal spirit of the people and the manifestations of goodwill everywhere so ap. parent The recent election not only most fortu. natey demonstrated the obliteration of sectional or geographical lines but to some extent also tho preludices which for years have distracted our councils and marred our true greatness as a na~ ton. The triumph of the people. whose ver- diet is carried into effect to-day. is not tho triumph of one section, nor wholly of party, but of all sections and all the peoples. The north and the south no longer divide the old lines, but upon prin- ciples and policies and in this fact surely every lover of the country can find cause for true fe- licitation. Let us rejoice in and cultivate this spirit; 1t is ennobling, and will be both gain and blessing to our beloved country. It will 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-opera- tion, this revival of esteem and afliation which now animates so many thousands in both tho old antagonistic sections but shall cheerfully do everything possible to promote and in. crease 1t.
 Let me again repeat the words of the oath ad-