The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1897-03-11

The question IL one that appeals beth
TO our business nsressisae&<and she pa
trioiic aspirations OF great people.
sokxros xEiaTioxa
Ii has been the policy Of the Cniied
States niace the foundation cf the Gev.
ernmeny. 10 cultivate relations Of
peace sLd amity with all the nations
OF the world, and this Accords With
my conception OF our duty now. We
have cherished the policy Of non-inter-
Governments, wisely iBaugurated py
Washington. Keeping ourselves free
from ENHANCEMENT either - allies or
foes, content to leave uudisturb bed
with them the settlement of their own
domestic concerns. IL will be our
aim to pursue q 0sm and dignified for
eign policy, which shall be Just, i'm
partial, ever waschful Of our national
honor and always insisting upon the
enforcement OF the lawful rights Of
American citizens anywhere. We
want no wars OF conquest; we must
avoid the temptation OF territorial ag-
gression. War should never be enter
ed upon until every agency Of peace
has failed; peace is preferable to War
in almost every contingency.
ARBITRATION IN INTERNATIONAL As
WELL As LOCAL AFrAIRs.
Arbitration is the true method OF
settlement of international as veil As
local or individual differences. 1t Was
recognized as the best means of ad-
justment of differences between en-
plOyers and employee ees by the Forty
ninth Congress, in 1856, and its appli-
cation was extended to our diplomatic
relations by the unanimous concur
renee Of the Senate and House Of the
Fifty first Congress in 1890. The lat
ter resolution was accepted As the
basis Of negotiations with US by the
British House Of Commons, in 1898,
and upon our invitation q treaty Of
arbitration between the United States
and Great Britain Was signed at Wash
ington, and transmitted to the Senate
for its ratification, in January last
Since this treaty is clearly the result
of our own initiatives; since it has
been recognized as the leading feature
of our foreign policy throughout our
entire national history-the adjust
ment of difficulties by judicial meth
DDS rather than force of arms-and
since it presents to the world the 2lor-
ious example of reason and peace, not
passion and war, controlling the rela-
tions between two Of the greatest ma
ti0ns of the world, an example certain
to be followed by others. 1 respect
fully urge the earliest action Of the
Senate thereon, not merely as matter
of policy, but as duty to mankind.
The Importance and moral influence
of the ratification of such treaty can
hardly be overestimated in the cause
of advancing civilization. 1t may well
engage the best thought of the states
men and people of every country, and
l cannot but consider it fort unate that
it was reserved to the United States to
have the leadership in so grand a
work.
EXTRA SESSION OF CONGRESS-.
1t has been the uniform practice OF
each President to avoid, as far as pos
sible, the convening of Congress in
extraordinary session. 1t is an exam
pie, which under ordinary circumstan.
ces, and in the absence of public nec-
essity, is to be commended. But q
failure to convene the representatives
of the people in Congress in extra ses.
sion when it involves neglect of 9
public duty, places the responsibility
of such neglect upon the executive
himself. The condition of the public
treasury, as has been indicated, de-
mands the immediate consideration Ol
Congress. 1t alone has the power tG
provide revenue for the government
Not to convene it under such circum.
stances, can view in no other sense
than the neglect of a plain duty. DE-
not eympathiZe with the sentiment
that Congress in session is dangerous
| to our general business interests: Itf
members are the agents of the people
and their presence at the seat OF gov
ernment in the execution of the SOW
ereign will should not operate as ar
Injury but benefit. There could be
no better time TO put the government
upon sound financial and economi,
basis than now. The people have only
recently voted that this should b.
done and nothing is more binding
upon the agents of their will thao th'
obligation Of immediate action. L
has always seemed to me that the post
p0nement of the meeting of Congress
until more than year after it ha
been chosen, deprived Congress to-
often of the inspiration of the popula
will and the country of the CORES
pOnding benefits. 1t is evident
therefore, that to postpone action il
the presence of SO great a necessit,
would be otherwise on the part of tn
people. Our actions now will b
freer from mere partisan considera
ton than if the question of tariff re
vision was postponed until the regu
lar session of Congress. We ar
nearly two years from a congressiona
election, and politics can not so great
ly distract US as if such contest wa
Immediately pending. We can ap
proach the problem calmly and patri
Oticaily without fearing its effect upo
an early election.
4 Our fellow citizens who may diss
. gree with US upon the character OF thi
legislation, prefer to have this quet
; tiOn settled now, even against thei
preconceived views-and perhaps sci
/ tied so reasonably as I trust and b.
, lieve it will be, as to insure gre.
permanence--than TO have further ur
: certainty menaclng the vast and Vi
ried business interests of the Unite
States. Again whatever action col
gress may take will be given IA
D opportunity for trial before the pc
/ pie are called to pass judgment upe
r IL, ana CllS COHSluef &Te8t eSScntA
= to the rightful and lasting settlemel
e of the question. In view OF these CO.
J. sideratlons, shall deem it my du!
!, as President to convene Congress
: Extraordinary session on Monday, Il
: 18th day of March 1897.
; In conclusion, l congratulate +
e country upon the fraternal spil
: and the manifestations of good "
i everywhere so apparent. The rece
: election not only most fortunately q
l. monstrated the obliteration of Sc
j. tional or geographical lines, but
It some extent also the prejudicss viii
If for years have distracted our counc
D. and marred our true greatness as
,r natien. The triumph of the Peep
=. whose verdict is carried into eff
to-day, is not the triumph of one 81
tion nor wholly of one party, but of
sections and ali people. The north n
a. south no longer divide on the old Lin
l. but upon principles and policies; a
1e in this fact auPalv evoPv lover Of