Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-03-04

lneEce ana Industry. leu Wnllt bulS
true, our American merchant marine hi
been steadily declining, until it is no
lower, both in percentage and tonnal
and number of vessels employed, than
was prior to the civil war. Commendabl
= ! progress has been made of late years
the upbuilding of the American navy, br
we must supplement these efforts by pre-
viding as proper consort for it mel
chant marine, amply sufficient for ou
own carrying trade to foreign countries
The question is one that appeals both t
our business necessities and the patriot
aspirations of great people.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
1t has been the policy of the Unite
States since the foundation of our gov
, ernment to cultivate relations of peac
and amity with all the nations of tn
world, and this accords with my concep
tion of our duty in the future. We hav
cherished the policy of non-interferenc
with the affairs of foreign governments
wisely inaugurated by Washington, keep
ing ourselves from entanglements either a
allies or foes, content to leave undis
turbed with them the settlement or thei
own domestic concern.
OUR FOREIGN POLICY.
Ii will be our aim to pursue firm ant
dignified foreign policy, which shall b.
just, impartial and ever watchful of oul
national honor, and always insisting upor
the enforcement of the lawful rights Of
American citizens everywhere. Our dt
plomacy should seek nothing more, and
| bo, ,, J,a
want no wars of conquest; we must avoid
the temptation of territorial aggression
War should not be entered npon unit
every agency of peace has failed; peace is
preferable to war in most every conting
ency, and arbitration is the true method
of settlement of internal as we'll as local
or individual differences.
ARBITRATION FAVORED.
Arbitration was recognized as the best
means of adjustment of differences be.
tween employers and employees by the
Forty ninth congress in 1886, and its ap-
plication was extended to our diplomatic
relations by the unanimous concurrence
of the senate and house of the Fifty first
congress in 1890.
A later resolution accepted it as the
basis of negotiations with us by the
| British house of commons in 1858, and
upon our invitation treaty of arbitra.
tion between the United States and Great
Britain was signed at Washington and
transmitted to the senate for ratification
in January last. Since this treaty ls clear.
ly upon our own initiative; since it has
been recognized as the leading feature OF
our foreign policy throughout our entire
national history, adjustment of Difficult.
ties by judicial methods, rather than by
force of arms, and since it presents to
the world a glorious example of reason
and peace not passion and war, eontroll-
ing relations between two of the greatest
nations of the world, the example ls Ger
tain to be followed by others. | respect
fully urge the early actiCn of the senate
thereon, not merely as matter of policy,
butas duty to mankind. The Importance
and influence of the latification of such a
treaty, can hardly be overestimated in
the cause of advancing civilization. II
may well engage the best thought of the
statesmen and the people of every coun.
try, and it can not but be considered for
tunate, that it was reserved to the United
States to have leadership in so great and
grand work.
AN EXTRA SESSION.
1t has been the uniform practice of
each president to avoid, as far as posi-
BILE, convening congress in extraordinary
session. 1t is an example which, under
ordinary circumstances, and in absence
of public necessity, is to be condemned,
but failure to convene the representa-
tives of the people in extra session, in
cases of emergency, involves neglect
upon the executive himself. The condl-
tion of the public treasury, as has been
indicated demands the immediate con-
sideration of congress. 1t alone has the
power to provide revenues for the gov
ernment. Not to convene it under such
circumstances, can view in no other
sense than neglect of plain duty. l do
not sympathize with the sentiment that
congress in session is dangerous to our
general business interests. Its members
are agents of the people, and their pres
ence at the seat of government in exeou-
tion of the sovereign will, should not op-
crate as an injury, but rather as benefit.
| There could be no better time, to put the
government upon sound financial and
economical 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. 1t always
seemed to me, that the postpone m snt
of the meeting of congress, until more
than year after it is chosen, deprives
congress too often of the inspiration of
popular will, and the country of CORES
ponding benefits. 1t is evident, there
fore, that to postpone action in presence
of so great a necessity, would be unwise
on the part of the executive, because un-
just to the interest of the people.
Our actions now will be 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 congressional
election, and politics cannot SO greatly
distract us, as if such a contest was i'm.
mediately pending. We can approach
the problem calmly, and patriotlcally
without feeling its effect upon an early
election. Our fellow citizens who may
disagree with us upon the character of
this legislation, prefer to have the ques-
tion settled now, even against their pre-
conceived views, and perhaps settled so
reasonably as trust and believe it will
be, as to insure permanence. This is
better than to have further uncertainty
menacing the vast and varied business
interests of the United States. Again,
whatever action congress may take, will be
given fair opportunity for trial before
the people are called to pass judgment
upon 1t, and this consider a great es-
sential to the rightful and lasting senti-
ment Of the question. In view of these
considerations, shall deem it my duty as
president to convene congress in extra.
ordinary session on Monday, the 18th day
of March, 1897.
SPIRIT OF THE PEOPLE.