The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-03-10

the best means of adjustment Of difTeren-
ces between employers and employees by
the for;y-ninth Congress i'm 1885, and its
application was extended 10 our DipiO-
matic relations by the unanimous con-
currence of the Senate aud House of the
Fity-first Congress in ls90. The latter
resolution was accepted rs the basis of
negotiations with US by the British House
OF Commons in 1876, and, upon our invi-
tation, a treaty Of arbitration between the
United States and Great Britain was
signed at Washington. and transmitted
to the Senate for its ratification in Janua-
~ last. Since this treaty Is clearly the
result OF our own initiative; since il has
been recognized as the leading feature Of
our foreign policy throughout our entire
National history-the adjustment of diiii-
cnlties by Judicial methods rather than
by force of arlns-and since it presents to
the world the glorious example of reason
and peace, not passion and war, control
ling the relations between two of the
greatest nations of the world, an example
certain to be followed by Others. respect
fully urge the early action of the Senate
thereon, not merely as "A matter Of poll
cy, but as duty 10 mankind. The inn
p)rtanco and moral influence of the rati-
iication Of such a treaty can hardly be
oger-estimated in the cause OF advancing
civilization. Ii may well engage the best
thought of the statesmen and people of
every country, and cannot but consider
| ffa~ff r.ta hot II ~rI -. fI..
United States to have the leadership in so
grand work.
IL has been the uaiform practice #
each President ta avoid, rs far as possi
BILE, the convening of Colgress in extra
ordinary session. IL is an example
which, under ordinary circumstances
aud in tho absence OF public necessity,
is not 10 be commended. But failure TO
convene the representatives Of the people
in Congress in extra session when il in
wolves neglect of public duty places
the responsibility of such neglect upon
the Executive himself The caadition of
| the public Treasury, as has been indieat-
ed, demands the immediate consideration
of Congress. 1t alone has the power to
provide revenues for the Government.
Not to convene it undeF such eircum-
stances / can Wow in To other sense than
the nogiec, OF plain duty. do not
sympathize with the sentiment that Con-
gress in session il dangerous TO our gem
! eral business Interests. Its members are
the agents of the people, and their pres
enco al the seat OF government in the ex-
ecution ofshe sovereign will should not
operate ss an injury, but a benefit,
There could be no he.tss ,ilae 70 put
the GovernHeIi upon a sound financial
and economic basis than now. The peo-
pie 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.
Ii has always seemed 10 me that the
postponement of the meeting of Congress
| until more than year after it has been
| chosen, deprived Congress too ollea Of
the inspiration Of the popular will, and
the rcqntry Of tue corresponding benefits,
II is evident, therefore, thai 10 postpone
action in the presence of so great neces-
sity would be unwise on the part of the
| Executive because unjust 10 the interests
of the people. Our actions now viii ba
freer from mere partisan consideration
than if the question of Tariff revision was
postponed until the regular session of
| Congress.
We are nearly two years from Can
gressional election, and politics can not
so greatly distract US as if such contest
was Immediately pending. We can ap-
proach the problem calmly and patriotic
ally without fearing its effect upon an
early election. Our fellow-citiz9ns who
may disagree with us upon the character
of this legislation, prefer 10 have the
| question settled now, even against their
preconceived views-and, perhaps, set,
tied so reasonably, as trust and believe
it viii be, as TO insure great permanence
than 10 have further uncertainty men,
scing the vast and varied business inter
ests of the United States. Again, what
| ever action Congress may take will De
given fair opportunity for trial before
the people are called TO pass judgment
| upon il, and this / consider great es-
sential to the rightful and lasting settle
ment of the question. In view of these
considerations, shall deem it nv duty
as President to convene Congress in ex-
traordinary session on Monday, the 18th
day of March, 1897.
| In conclusion, congratulate the eoun-
try upon the fraiernal spirit of the people
anG the manifestation of good will every
where 50 apparent. The recent election
not only most fortunately demOnslrated
the obliteration Of sectional or ge)grAphi-
cal lines, but to some extent also the pre-
iudices which for years have distracted
| our councils and marred our true great
ness as a Nation. The triumph of the
| people, whose verdict Is carried in:o
effect to day, Is not the triumph of one
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 snrely every
| lover of the country can find cause for
true felicitation. Let US rejoice in and
cultivate this spirit; it is ennohling. and
| will be both gain and a blessing II our
beloved country. II will be my constant
| aim to dD nothing, and permit nothing
/ to be done, that will arrest or disturb
| this growing sentiment of unity and 60
operation, this revival of esteem anl
afiiltation which new aninates 50 many
| thousands in both ths old antagonistic
| sections, but shall cieerfully do every
| thing possible to promote and mere Ise il.
Let me again repeat the words of the
oath administered by the Chief Justice,
which. in their respective spheres 50 far
as applicable. wonld have all my coun-
trymen observe: Il will faithfully ex-
ecate the Office of President of the United
States. and will, 10 the bes. of my ability,
preserve, protect, and defend the Cons;i-
| tuition of the United States"
This is the Obligation have reverently
taken before the Lord most high. To
keep it will he my simple rurpose-my
constant prayer-and | shall confidently
rely upon the orhearan,s AMI assistance
of all the people in the dis.hirgs Of my
solemn responsibilities.
Over Thirty Years
ws&hns,& C:ol.nooe