Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-03-09

constant promotion of a safer, better
and higher citizenship. A grave peril to
the republic would be citizenship too
ignorant to understand, or too vicious to
appreciate the great value and benefit of
our constitution and laws-and against
all who come here to make war upon
them, our gates must be promptly and
tightly closed. Nor must we be unmind-
full of improvement among our own citi-
Zens, but with the zeal of our forefathers,
encourage the spread Of knowledge and
free education. Illiteracy must be ban
ished from the land If We shall attain
that high destiny us tho foremost of the
enlightened nations of the world, which
under Providence we ought to achieve.
Civil Service Reform.
Reform in the civil service must go on,
but the change should be real and genu-
Inc, not perfunctory, or prompted by n
zeal In behalf of any party, simply be-
cause it happens to be in power. As u
member of congress voted and spoke in
favor of the present law and l shall at
tempt its enforcement in tho spirit in
which it was enacted. The purpose in
view was to secure the most efficient SER
vice of the best men who would accept ap-
pointmcnt under the government, retain
ing faithful and devoted public servants
in office, but shielding none under the
authority of any rule or custom who arc
inefficient, or incompetent, or unworthy.
The best interests of the country demand
this and the people heartily approve the
law wherever and whenever it has been
thus administered.
The Merchant Marine.
Congress should give prompt attention
to the restoration of our American mer-
chant marine, once the pride of the seas
in all the great ocean highways of COM
merce To my mind, few more important
subjects so imperatively demand its intel
ligent consideration. The United States
has progressed with marvellous rapidity in
every field of enterprise and endeavor I'M
til we have become foremost in nearly all
the great lines of inland trade commerce
and industry. Yet, while this is true, our
American merchant marine has been
steadily declining until it is now lower
both in percentage of tonnage and number
of vessels employed, than it was prior
to the Civil War. Commendable progress
has been made of late years in the up
building of an American navy, but we
must supplement- these efforts by proyid-
ing as n proper consort for it merchant
marine amply sufficient for our own car.
rying trade to foreign countries. The ques-
ton is one that appeals both to our bust
ness necessities and the patriotic aspira-
lions of great people.
Foreign Policy Outlined.
1t has been the policy of the United
States since the foundation of the govern.
ment to cultivate relations of peace and
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-interference with the
the affairs of foreign governments, wisely
inaugurated by Washington, keeping
ourselves free from ENHANCEMENT either
as allies or foes, content to leave undis.
turbed with them the settlement of their
own domestic concerns. 1t will be our
aim to pursue firm and dignified foreign
policy, which shall be just, impartial and
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 is due u.s. We want no wars of con-
quest; we must avoid the temptation of
territorial aggression. War should never
be entered upon until every agency of
peace has failed; peace is preferable to
war in almost every contingency. Arbi-
tration is the true method of settlement.
Favors tho Arbitration Treaty.
1t was recognized as the best means of
adjustment of differences between en-
ployers and employees by the Forty ninth
congress and it's appli cation was extended
to our diplomatic relations by the unan-
imous concurrence of the senate and house
of the Fifty first congress The latter res
olution was accepted as the basis of nego-
tiations with us by the British house of
commons in 1893, and upon our invitation
a treaty of arbitration between the United
States and Great Britain was signed at
Washington and transmitted to the SEN
ate for its ratification in January last.
Since this treaty is clearly the result
of our own initiative; since 1t
has been recognized as the
leading feature of our foreign policy,
the adjustment of difficulties by judicial
methods rather than by force of arms
and since it presents to the world the
passion and war; controlling the relations
between two of the greatest nations of the
world, an example certain to be followed
by others, l respectfully urge the early
aution of the senate thereon not merely
as matter of policy, but as duty to
mankind. The importance and moral In
fluence of the ratification of such a treaty
can hardly be overestimated in the cause
of advancing civilization. 1t may well
engage the best thought of the statesmen
and people and every country, and I can
not but consider it fortunate that 1t was
reserved to the United States to have the
leadership in SO grand n work.
Mr.. Mckinley then touched upon his
reasons for calling an extra session, say
ing that the will of the people would be
| more fully realized at this time than 1t
could be If the business were to await the
| converting of regular session nearly q
year hence. Then, too, there was no cleo
ton in the Immediate future, and any
measure enacted would have time to be
tried before one should be held.
In conclusion he said:
Let me again repeat the words of the
oath administered by the chief justice
which in their respective spheres, SO far az
applicable, would have all my country
| men observe:
II will faithfully execute the Office o.
president of the United States and will, tt
the best of my ability preserve, protect
and defend the constitution Of the United
States"
This is the obligation I have reverently
taken before the Lord Most High. TX
keep it will be my single purpose, my
constant prayer-and shall confdentl,
rely upon the forbearance and assistance
/ of all tho In disoha,axh e3 m,