Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-03-11


the relations between two Of ths. greatest
nations Of the world, an example certain
to be followed BY others, / respectfully
urge the early action Of the senate there
on, not merely ~ matter Of policy, but
as duty to mankind.
The Importance and moral influence OF
the ratification Of such treaty can hard
ly be oyerestimated In the cause OF ad-
vancing civilization. 1t may well engage
the best thought Of the statesmen and
people of every country, and cannot
but consider 1t fortunate that It was re-
served to the United States to have the
leadership In SO grand work.
Extra scssio- OF Couxress.
1t has been the uniform practice of each
President to avoid. SO far as possible, the
converting of Congress in extraordinary
session. 1t Ii an example which, under
ordinary circumstances and In the alb
sence of public necessity, Is to be COM
mended. But a failure to convene the
representatives Of the people In Congress
in extra session when 1t involves neglect
of public duty places the responsibility
Of such neglect upon the executive him
self. The condition of the public treas
ury, as has been Indicated. demands the
immediate consideration of Congress. 1t
alone has the power to provide revenues
for the Government. Not to convene II
under such circumstances / can view In
no other sense than the neglect Of plain
duty.
do not sympathize with the sentiment
that Congress in session is dangerous to
our general business interests. Its men,
bers are the agents of the people, and
thair NJ tt,a a. 30 ~
in the execution of the sovereign will
should not operate as an injury, but ben
eft. There could be no better time to
put the Government upon sound finan-
cial and economic basis than now. The
people have only recently voted that this
should be done, and nothing is more bind
ing upon the agents of their will than the
obligation of immediate action.
1t has always seemed to me that the
postponement of the meeting of Congress
until more than year after it has been
chosen deprives Congress too often of the
inspiration of the popular will and the
country of the corresponding benefits. Ii
is evident, therefore, that to postpone ac-
ton in the presence of so great neces-
sity would be unwise on the part of the
executive because unjust to the interests
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
n congressional election, and politics can
not so greatly distract us as IL 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
may disagree with US upon the character
of this legislation prefer to have the ques-
ton settled now, even against their pre-
conceived views-and perhaps settled 80
reasonably, as l trust and believe 1t will
be, as to insure great recommendation
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 arc
called to pass judgment upon 1t, and this
consider q great essential to the r1ghtful
and lasting settlement of the question.
In view of these considerations, l shall
deem II my duty as President to convene
Congress in extraordinary session on Mon
day, the 18th day of March, 1897.
Triumph of the Whole People.
In conclusion, 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 or geograph-
ical lines, but to some extent also the
prejudices which for years have distract
ed our councils and married our true
greatness as a nation. The triumph of
the people, whose verdict is carried into
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 politics:
and in this fact surely every lover of the
country can find cause for true felicia
ton. Let us rejoice in and cultivate this
spirit; it is ennobling and will be both
gain and blessing to our beloved country.
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 and cooperation, this revival of
esteem and utilization which now ami
mates so many thousands in both the old
and the antagonistic sections, but / shall
cheerfully do everything possible to pro-
mote and increase it.
Let me again repeat the words of the
oath administered by the Chief Justice,
which, in their respective spheres, so far
as applicable, would have all my coun-
! 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 the
| United States"
This is The obligation I have reverently
| taaen before the Lord Most High. To
keep it will be my single purpose-my con-
slant prayer-and l shall confidently rely
upon the forbearance and assistance of
all the people in the discharge of my SOL
emn responsibilities.