The Progress., 1897-03-06
vnereyer and whenever it has been
thus administered. ~.

Congress should give prompt atten-
tienNo the res tGratiCn OF our American
merchant marine. once the pride OF the
aeas in all the great ocean highways OF
commerce To my mind one OF the few
Of the most important subjects that 80
fmperatively demand it's Intelligent con-
sideration. The United States has
proeressed with marvellous rapidtty in
every field of enterprise and endeavor
until we have become most in near
" all the great lines !. inland trade.
commerce and industry. Yet, while
this is true, our American merchant
marine has been steadily declining un-
tilit Is now lower, in the percentage OF
tonnage and the number of vessels en-
ployed, than 1t was prior to the civil
war Comm endable progress has been
made OF late years in the upbuilding OF
the American navy, but we must sup
plement these efforts by providing as
proper consort for 1t merchant ma
rtne amply sufficient for our own car
rying trade to foreign countries. The
question is one that appeals both to
our business necessities and the patr1-
otle aspirations Of a great people.
II has been the policy of the United
States since the foundation OF the gov
eminent to cultivate relations OF peace
and amity with all the nations OF the
world, and this accords with my con-
cepdon OF our duty now. We have
cherished the policy Of Northumberland
with the affairs of foreign governments.
wisely inaugurated by Washington.
keeping ourselves free from entane9e-
ment. either as allies or foes, content
70 leave und3sturbed with them the set
Element OF their own domestic concerns.
i wiki be our aim to pursue a firm and
0f0niEiQd
just. impartial. ever-watchful of our
national honor and always insisting
upon the enforcement of the lawful
rights OF American citizens everywhere.
Our diplomacy should seek nothing
more. and accept nothing less than rs
cue US. We want no wars OF couuues4.
We must avoid the temptation Of terri
toriaI aggression. War should never ne
entered upon until every agency OF
peace has failed; peace Is preferable TO
war IN almost every contingency.
arbitration Is the true method OF SET
uement OF International as well as local !
OF INDIVIDUAL differences. It was reccg-
u.Seu as the best means OF adjustment |
y Ilnefences between employers and |
employees by the Forty-ntn.h congress-
IN 1856 and its application was extend
60 to our diplomatic relations by the
unanimous concurrence OF the SENATE |
s - one mouse OF the Fifty-first congress
~ 1870. The latter resolution was ac-
cepted as the basis Of negotiations with
US Dy the British house of commons in /
1898. and upon cur invitation q treaty
arDltration between the United
Srates and Great Britain was signed at
wasnington end transmitted to the
senate Tor Its ratification in january
11 SINCE this treat. Is clearly the re-
.uh on our initiative; since It has been
..ecognazed as the leading feature of our
h,. elen policy throughout our national
NJ oly.the adjustment OF difficulties
fo ~ judicial methods rather than BY
~ OF arms-and since it presents to
s aoe worto the glorious example OF rea-
con. anu peace, not passion and war.
~ .loinng the relations between two OF
s.o srea1est nations OF the world an ex-
I raas certain to be followed by Others.
Tho pctiuily urge the early action OF
m... senate thereon. not merely as a
s,aa, eI OF policy. but as a duty 70
iranAo The Importance and moral
tre.+s, o, the ratification OF such
the go, oan hardly be overestimatet in