Birmingham state herald., 1897-03-05

prove the law wherever and whenever 1t has been thus administered
 Congress should give prompt attention to tho restoration of our
 AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE. once the pride of the seas in all the great ocean highways of commerce. To my mind few more important subjects so. impcratively demand its intelligent con- sideration. The United States has pro- gressed with marvellous rapidity in every field of enterprise and cndeavor until we have become foremost In nearly all of the great lines of inland trade, commerce and industry. Yet while this Is true our American merchant marie has been steadily declining until 1t Is now lower both in percentage of tonnage and the number of vessels employed than it was prior to the civil war. Commendable progress has been made of late years in the upbuilaing of the American navy, but we must supplement these efforts by providing as proper consort for 1t, merchant marine amply sufficient for our own carrying trade to foreign countries The question is enc that appeals both to our business necessities and the patri- otic aspirations of a great people.
 PEACE AND AMITY.
 It has been the policy of the United States since the foundation Of the gov ernment to cultivate relations of peace
 
 world and this accords with my concep- tion Of our duty now. We have cherish ed the policy Of nCn-interfereTce with the affairs of foreign governments, wisely in- augurated by Washington keeping our selves free from eutanglement either as allies or foes content to leave undisturbed with them the settlement of their own domestic concerns. It will be our aim to pursue a firm and dignifed foreign policy which shall be just, impartial ever watchful of our national honor and always insisting upon the enforcement of the lawful rights of American citizens everywhere. We want no wars of con- quest; we must avoid the temptation of territorial aggression. War should never be entered upon till every agency of peace Is preferable to war in almost every contingency Arbitration is the true method of settlement of internatiOn- al as well as local individual differences. It was recognized as the best means of adjustment of differences between eIa- ployers and employees by the IForty-ninth congress, in 1856. and its application was extended to our diplomacy relations by the unanimous concurrence of the senate and house of the Fifty-flrst congress, in 1890. The latter resolution was accepted as the basis of negotia tions with us by the British house of commons in 1883, and upon our invitation a treaty of arbitra- tion between the United States and Great Brltian E'as signed at Washington and transmitted to the senate for it's Uatifica- tion in January last. Since this treaty is clearly the result of our own initiative, since it has been recognized as the lead ing feature of our foreign policy through out our entire national history, the ad- justment of difficulties by judicial methods rather than force of arms, and since 1t presents to the world the glorious example of reason and peace, not passion and war, controlling the relations be- tween two of the greatest nations of the world, an example certain to be followed by others respectfully urge the earliest action of the senate thereon, not merely as matter of policy, but as a duty to mankind The importance and moral in- fuence of the inauguration of such treaty can hardly be over-eStinated in the cause of advancing civilization. It may well engage the best thought of the statesmen and people of every country and I cannot but consider it fortunate that it was reserved to the United States to have the leadership in so grand a work It has been the uniform pra'c.ice of each president to avoid. as far as pes sible, the converting of congress in extra ordinary session. It is an example which, under ordinary circumstances and in the absence of public necessity, is to be commended.
 AN EXTRA SESSION.
 But failure to convene the repre- sentatives of the people in congress in extra session when it involves neglect of a public duty, places the responsibility of such neglect upon the executive him. self The conditions or the pu blfc treas ury as has been indica ted demands the immediate consideration of congress. It alone has the power to provide revenues for the government. Not to convene it under such circumstances, I can view in no other sense than the neglect ois Jain duty. I do not sympa thizc with the sen timent that congress in session is dan- gerous to our general business interests. It's members are the agents of the peo- pie, and their presence a the seat of gov ernment In the executi ton 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 people 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.
 It has always seemed to me that the postponment of the meeting of congress until more than a year after it has been chosen deprived congress too often. of the inspiration of the popular will, and the country of the corresponding bene- fits It is evident, therefore that to post pone action in the presence of so great a necessity would be unwise on the part of the executive because unjust to the in terests of the people. Our actions now will be freer from mere partisan consid- eration than If the question of tariff re- vision was postponed until the regular session of congress. We are nearly two years from a congressional election, and politics cannot so greatly distract us as if such contest was immediately pending.