The news & observer., 1897-03-05

by force or armS-and since ~ pitstAHeS
10 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 ex-
ample certain to be followed by others,
| respectfully urge the early action OF
the Senate thereon, not merely as
matter OF policy, but as duty to man
kind. The importance and moral i'm
huence OF the ratification or such treaty
can hardly be overestimated in the cause
of advancing civilization. lit may well
engage the best thought Of the statesmen
and people OF every country and / can
not but consider it fortunate that 1t was
reserved to the Unfted States to have
the leadership in so grand work.
AN EXTRA SESSION MARCH 18TH.
1t has been the uniform practice of each
President to avoid, as far as possible
the convening OF Congress in extraor-
binary session 1t is an example which,
under ordinary circumstances and in the
absence Of public necessity rs to be
commended. But a failure to convene
the representatives OF the people in Con-
gress in extra session when it involves
neglect OF a public duty, places the res
ponsimlity of such neglect upon the OK
eclltive 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 / can view i'm no other sense than
the neglect of a plain duty. | do not
sympathize with the sentiment that Con
gress in session is dangerous to our gen
eral business interests It's member are
the agents OF the people and their pre-
sence at the seat of government in the
I execution Of the sovereign will should
| not operate as an injury, but a benefit.
| There could be no better time to put
| the government upon a sound financial
and economic basis than now. The peO-
! pie have only recently voted that this
! should be done and nothing 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 Con-
gress until more than a year after it
has been chosen, deprived Congress too
often of the inspiration Of the popu-
| lar will and the country Of
| the corresponding benefits. 1t is evil
| dent therefore that to postpone action
| in the presence of so great necessity
| would be unwise on the part Of the exec
| utive because unjust to the interests OF
/ the people. Our actions now will be
| freer from mere partisan consideration
| than If the question Of tariff revision
| was postponed until the regular session
of Congress. We are nearly two years
| from a Congressional election and poll
| tics can not so greatly distract us as if
| such contest was Immediately pending.
| We can approach the problem calmly
and patriotically without fearing its effect
upon an early election. Our fellow citi-
| zens who may disagree with us upon the
character of this legislation prefer to
| have the question settled now, even
| against their precOnceived yiews-and
| perhaps settled so reasonably, as l trust
| and believe it will be, as to insure great
| permanence-than to have further un-
| certainty menacing the vast and varied
| business interests of the United States
| Again whatever action Congress may
take will be given a fair opportunity
| for trial before the people are called to
pass judgment upon it, and this consid-
! er a great essential to the rightful and
| lasting settlement of the question. In
| view OF the consideration / shall deem
it my duty as President to convene Con-
gress in extraordinary session on Monday
the 18th day Of March, 1897.
TIE FRATERNAL SPIRIT.
In conclusion / congratulate the
country upon the fraternal spirit of the
people and the manifestation OF good will
everywhere so apparent. The recent cleo
ton not only most fortunately demon
trated the obliteration of sectional or
geographical lines, but to some extent also
the prejudicos which for years have dis
tracted our councils and marred our true
greatness as a nation The triumph of
the people whose verdict is carried into
effect to-day is not the triumph of one
section, nor wholly of one party, but Of
all sections and all the people. The North
and South no longer divide on the old
lines. but upon principles and policies;
and in this fact surely every lover of the
country can find cause for true felicita-
ton. Let us rejoice in and cultivate this
spirit; it is ennobling and viii be both
a gain and blessing to our beloved coun-
try. 1t will be my constant aim to do
nothing and permit nothing to be done
that will arrest or disturb this growing
|
revival Of esteem and affiliation which
now animates so many thousands in both
the old antagonistic sections, but shall
cheerfully do everything possible to pro-
mote and increase it. Let me again re-
peat the words of the oath administered
by the Chief Justice, which, in their re-
spective spheres so far as applicable,
would have all my country observe.
GODS HELP INVOKED.
II will faithfully execute the office of
President Of the United States and will,
to the best of my ability, preserve, pro-
tect and defend the Constitution Of the
United States"
This is the obligation have reverently
taken before the Lord Most High. To
keep it will be my single purpose; my
constant prayer-and / shall confidently
rely upon the forebearance and assistance
| aF oil tho paonln In tho diccI,o ycrn . v,,xr