The record-union., 1897-03-05

of the American navy, but we must
supplement these efforts by providing
as a proper consort for it a merchant
marine, amply sufficient for our own
carrying trade to foreign countries.
The question is one that appeals both
to our business necessities and the pa
triotic aspirations of a great people.
FOREIGN POLICY.
1T has been the policy of the United
States since the foundation of the Gov
and amity with all the nations Of the
world. and this accords with my con-
ception of our duty now We have
cherished the policy of non-interference
with the affairs of foreign Governments
wisely inaugurated by Washington,
keeping ourselves from ENHANCEMENT.
either as allies or foes, content to leave
undisturbed with them the settlement
of their own domestic concerns. 1t
will be our aim to pursue a firm and
dignified 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.
Our diplomacy should seek nothing
more and accept nothing less than is
due us. We want no wars of con-
quest; we must avoid the temptation Of
territorial aggression. War should
never be entered upon until every
agency of peace has failed. Peace is
preferable to war in most every con-
tingency.
ARBITRATION THE METHOD.
Arbitration is the true method of
settlement of international as well as
local or individual differences. 1t was
recognized as the best means of adjust
ment of differences between employers
and employees by the Forty ninth
Congress in 1856, and it's application
was extended to our diplomatic rela-
tions by the unanimous concurrence of
the Senate and House of the Fifty-first
Congress in 1890. The latter resolu-
tion was accepted as the basis of ne
gotiations with us by the British House
of Commons in 1893 and upon our in
vitation a treaty of arbitration between
the United States and Great Britain
was signed at Washington and trans
mitted to the Senate for its ratification
in January last. Since this treaty is
clearly the result of our own initiative,
since it has been recognized by the
leading feature of our foreign policy
throughout our national history-the
adjustment of difficulties by judicial
methods rather than by force of arms
and since it presents to the world the
glorious example of reason and peace,
not passion and war, controlling the re-
latiOns between two Of the greatest ma
tionS of the world, an example certain
to be followed by others, 1 respectfully
urge the early action Of the Senate
thereon, lot merely as matter of pol
| icy, but as q duty to mankind. The
| Importance and moral influence of the
ratification of such treaty can hardly
| be over estimated in the cause of ad-
vancing civilization. 1t may we'll en-
gage the lest thought of the statesmen
| and people of every country, and l
cannot but consider it fortunate that it
| was reserved for the United States to
have the leadership in so grand work.
work.
AN EXTRA SESSION.
ut has been the uniform practice of
each President to avoid, as far as pos
sible, the convening of Congress in ex-
| ira sessions 1t is an example which
under ordinary circumstances and in
| the absence of d public necessity is
| not to be commended, but failure to
convene the Representatives Of the
| people in extra session when it involves
neglect of a public duty places the re-
sponsibility of such neglect upon the
Executive himself The condition of
the public treasury, as has been indi-
Gated, demands the immediate consid-
Grafton of Congress. 1t alone has the
power to provide revenue for the Gov
ernment. Not to convene it under
such circumstances l can view in no
other sense than the neglect of a plain
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