The Dickinson press., 1897-03-13

the lawful rights Of American citixena
everywhere. Our diplomacy should seek
nothing more and accept nothing less
than is due us. We want no wars Of
OF territorial aggression. War should
never be entered upon until every agency
OF peace has failed; peace 10 prefers.b Il to
wal IN almost every contingency. Arbi-
tration IL the true method OF settlement.
IT was recognised as the best means Of
ployers and employe by the Forty-ninth
congress and its application was extended
to our diplomatic relations by the unani.
mouse concurrence Of the senate and
house Of the Fifty-irst congress. The
latter resolution was accepted as the basis
OF associations with us by the British
mouse 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 senate for its ratification in January
last. Since this treaty is clearly the RED
suit OF our own initiative; since 1t h9I
been recognized as the leading featurlof
our foreign policy throughout our ,e4ftire
national history-the adjustment -sf DIM
culties by judicial methods rather b by
force Of ARMAND since It presents to
the world h glorious example Of reason
and peace. not passion n war. control
ling the relations between two Of the
greatest nations of the world, an example
certain to be followed by others, I ie-
specially urge the early action Of the
senate thereon, not merely as a matter Of
policy, but as a duty to mankind.
The Importance and moral influence Of
the ratification of such a treaty can hard
~ be overestimated in the cause Of adj
vanctng civilization. 1t may well engage
the best thought Of the statesmen and
people of every country, and I cannot
but consider 1t fortunate that it was re-
served to the United States to have the
leadership in SO grand a work. 1t has
been the uniform practice of each presi-
dent to avoid. as far as possible. the con-
vening of congress in extraordinary ses-
sion. 1t Is an example which, under Or
binary circumstances M in the absence
OF a public necessity, is to be commended.
But a failure to convene the representa-
tives of the people in congress in extra
session when 1t Involves neglect of n pub.
lie duty, places the responsibility of such
neglect upon the executive himself.
Special Session,
The condition of the public treasury,
az has been indicated, demands the inn
mediate consideration Of congress-. 1t
alone has the power to provide revenues
tor the government. Not to convene it
Under such circumstances l can view in
no ether sense than the neglect of a plain
duty. ] 10 not :ympathize with the sc!.-
ttment that congress in session is DANGER
Gus to our general business IL terests. It's
members are the agents of the people,
and their presence at the seat OF govcrr-
ment in the 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 people have only recently voted that
that should be done, and nothing is more
binding upon the agents of their will
l than the ALLEGATION nf I'm oo<t>,
1t has always seemed to me that the
postponement of the meeting Of congress
until more than a year after 1t has peen
chosen deprives congress too often of the
inspiration of the popular will and the
country of the corresponding benefits. 1t
is evident. therefore, that to postpone
action in the presence of SO great a neces-
sity would be unwise OH thu part of the
executive, because unjust to the interests
of the people. Our actions now will b.
freezer from mere partisan consideration
than if the question Of tsriff revision was
postponed until the regular session of
congress. We are nearly two years from
n congressional elsct-on. AMI politics cam
not SO greatly distract us as II such con-
test was Immediately pending. We can
approach the problem calmly and patri-
otically without fearing its effect upon an
early election. Our fellow citizens who
disagree with US upon tho character of
this legislation prefer to have the ques>
ton settled now and perhaps settled so
reasonably as to insure great p%ermanence.
Again, whatever action congress may
take will be given a fair, opportunity for
trial before The people are called to pass
judgment upon IL, and this I consider a
great essential to the rightful and lasting
settlement Of the question.
March is the Date.
In view of these considerations I shall
/ deem ~ nv duty az nFpESAnnf ia cnnvona
congress in extraordinary session on
! Monday, March Is, 1897.
In conclusion, I congratulate the coun.
try upon the fraternal spirit of the people
and the manifestation of good will every
where so apparent. The recent election
not only most fortunately demonstrated
the obliteratiOn of sectional lines, out to
some extent also the prejudices which
for years have distracted our councils
and marred our true greatness as a ma
ton. The triumph of the people, whose
verdict Is carried into effect to-day, is
not the triumph of n 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 felicitation. Let US
rejoice in and cultivate this spirit. 1t
will be my constant aim to do nothing.
and permit nothing TO be done, that will
arrest or disturb this growing sentiment
of unity n cooperation, this revival Of
esteem and affliation which now ami
mates SO many thousands in both the old
n the a~ntagonistic sections, but I shall
cheerfully do everything possible to pro.
mote and increase 1t.
Let me again repeat the words of the
oath administered by the chief justice,
which, in their respective spheres 80 far
as applicable, I would have all my ouu.
trymen observe:
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 thu
United States"
This is the obligation I have reverently
taken before the Lord most high. To
keep 1t will be my single purpose; my
constant prayer-and I shall confidently
rely upon the forbearance and assistance
Of oil the people in the discharge of my
solemn responsibilities.