The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-03-13

~
with the zeal Of our forefathers encourage
the spread Of knowledge and free educs-
ton. Iliteracy must be banished from the
foremost of the enlightened nations of the
world, which, under Providence, we ought 70
achieve,
Reforms In the civil service must 90 on. But
the changes should be real and genuine. not per
functory, or prompted by zeal In behalf OF any
party, simply because It happens to be In power.
As q member OF congress voted and spoke In
favor of the present law, and I shall attempt It's
enforcement In the spirit in which it was en-
acted. The purpose in view was to secure
the most efficient service OF the best
men who would accept appointment under
the government, retaining faithful and devoted
public servants in ONCE, but shielding none, IN
der the authority OF any rule or custom, who
are inefdcient, Incompetent, or unworthy. The
best interests of the country demand this, and
the people heartily approve the law wherever
and whenever 1t has been thus administered.
Congress should give prompt attention to the
restoration Of our American merchant marine,
once the pride OF the seas In all the great ocean
highways OF To my mind, few more
important subjects so imperatiVely demand
its intelligent consideration. The United
States has progressed with marvellous
endeavor until we have become foremost
in nearly all the great lines Of inland trade, ccm-
merce and industry. Yet, while this is true, our
American merchant marine has been steadily
declining until 1t Is now lower, both in percent
age OF tonnage and the number Of vessels en-
ployed, than 1t was prior to the civil war. Com
meuOdDlo pIORItSS mas DESn MdOt y i ldIc years
in the upbuilding OF the American navy, but we
must supplement these efforts by providing as
a proper consort for It q 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 patriotic
aspirations Of o great people.
1t has been the policy OF the United States
since the foundation of the government, to
cultivate relations of peace and unity with all
the nations Of the world, and this accords with
my conception of our duty now. We have cher
iShnd the nOlicy of nOn-lntprferplcn With th6
affairs OF foreign governments. wisely inaugu-
rated by Washington, keeping ourselves FREQ
from ENHANCEMENT either as allies or foes, con-
tent to leave undisturbed with them the settle
ment Of their own domestic concerns. 1t will be
our aim to pursue q firm and dignihed foreign
poll policy which which shall III on be lust bntior, impartial h6ba,
and always insisting upon the en-
enforcement Of the lawful rights of American
quest; we must avoid the temptation Of terri
torial aggression. A war should never be en-
tered upon until every agency of peace has
failed; peace is preferable to war in almost
method OF settlement OF international, as well
as local or individual differences. 1t was rec
Ognized as the best means OF adjustment Of diff
ferences between employers and employees by
the Forty-ningth congress, in 1886, and its ap-
plicatiOn was extended to our diplomatic rela-
lions by the concurrence OF the senate and the
house Of the Fifty-flrSt congress In 1880 The
latter resolution was accepted as the
basis of negotiations with US by the British
mouse OF commons IN lsJS, and upon our invita-
ton a treaty Of arbitration between the United
States and Great Britain was signed at WASH
ington and to the senate for its rat
~iication in january last. Since this treaty is
clearly the result Of our own initiative; since IL
has been recognized as tie leading feature Of
our foreign policy throughout our entire ma
tiOnal 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
-n11 tfOpS hnFyCann fTrn NJ fha fREf Nations nf
the world, IN example certain to be followed by
others, L respectfully urge the carly action Of
the senate thereon, not merely as q matter of
policy, but a duty to mankind. The importance
and moral influence OF the ratification OF such a
treaty can hardly be OvereStimated in the cause
Of advancing civilization. 1t may we'll engage
thought Of the statesman and people of every
country, and 1 ian not but consider It fortunate
that is was reserved to the United States to
have the leadership in so grand q work.
1t has been the uniform practice to avoid as
far as possible the converting OF congress in eX-
traordinary session. 1t Is an example which,
under ordinary circumstances and in the abb
Sence of a public necessity, Is to be commended.
But a failure to convene the representatives Of
the people in extra session, when 1t involves
neglect of a public duty, places the response
bility of such neglect upon the executive him
self. The condition Of the public treasury, as
has been indicated, demands the i'm
mediate consideration OF congress. 1t
9l9e9 t6 ha the nation the R gOs sG convene Te f RF Gndee
such circumstances 1 can view in no other sense
than the neglect Of a plain duty. 1 do not SYM
pathize with the sentiment that congress in SEES
sion is dangerous to our general business inter-
ests- Its members are the agents of the people,
and their presence at the seat Of government in
operate as an injury, but q benefit. There could
be no better time TO put the govern
ment upon a sound financial and eco
done, only recently voted that this should be
and nothing is moro binding 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 n year after it has been chosen, de-
prived congress too often Of the inspiration Of
the popular will, and the country Of the corre-
spending benefits. II Is evident, therefore, that
to postpone action in the presence OF so great O
necessity would be unwiSe on the part OF the
OF the people. Our action will now
be freer from the partisan conSidera-
ton than if the question Of tariff revision was
postponed until Their egular session of congress.
i've are nearly two years from a congressional
election, and politics can not SO greatly distract
US as II such contest was Immediately pending.
We can approach the problem calmly and pa
triotically 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 question settled
now even against their preconceived views
and, perhaps, settled so reasonably, as ]
trust and believe it will, as to insurc
great permanence-than to have further uncer-
tainty menacing the vast and varied business
interests Of the United States. Again, what
ever action congress may TAXI will be given a
fair opportunity for trial before the people are
called to pass Judgment upon it, and this / con-
slider a great essential to the rightful and last
ing settlement of the question. In view Of these
considerations 1 shall deem 1t my duty as preSi-
dent to convene congress in extraordinary seS-
sion on Monday, the 18th day of March, 1897.
In conclusion, I congratulate the country up
on the fraternal spirit OF the people and the
manifestations Of goodwill everywhere so ap-
parent. The recent election not only most fortu-
nately demonstrated the obliteration of sectional
or geographical lines, but to some extent also the
prejudices which for years have distracted our
councils and marred our true greatness as q ma
ton. The triumph Of the people, whose YER
dict 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 peoples. The north and the south
no longer divide on the old lines, but upon prin-
ciples and policies; and in this fact surely every
lover Of the country can find cause for true fe-
licitation. Let US rejoice in and cultivate this
spirit; 1t is ennobling, and will be both a 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 co-opera-
tion, this revival Of esteem and aflliation which
now animates so many thousands in both the
old antagonistic sections, but I shall cheerfully
do everything possible to promote and la
crease It .
Let me again repeat the words Of the oath al
ministered by the chief justice, which In theR
respective spheres, so far as applicable, 1 wou&
have all my countrymen observe: Twill faith
fully execute the Office OF president OF th4
United States. and will to the best OF