Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-03-12

domestic concerns. 1t will be our aim to
pursue IL firm and dignified foreign policy.
which shall be just, impartial. ever watch
full of our national honor and always in
sisting upon the enforcement of the lawful
rights of American citizens everywhere.
Our diplomacy should seek nothing more
and accept nothing less; we must avoid
the temptation of territorial aggression.
War should never be entered upon until
every agenc of peace has failed; peace
is preferable to war in almost every con
tingency.
Arbitration is the true method of set
Element of international as we'll as local
or individual difference. 1t was recog-
nizcd as the best means of adjustment Of
differences between employers md em-
ployes by the Forty-ninth Congress. i'm
1883. and it's application was extended TO
our diplomatic relations by the unanimous
concurrence of the Senate and House of
the Fifty-tirst Congress. in 1890. The
latter resolution was accepted as the basis
of negotiations with us by the British
House of Commons. in 1901, and upon our
invitation IL treaty of arbitration between
the United States and Great Britain was
signed at Washington and transmitted
to the Senate for its ratification. in JAN
uary last. Since this treaty is clearly the
result of our own initiatives: since it has
been recognized as the leading feature of
our foreign policy throughout our entire
national history-tle adjustment of diff
i :nltics ny iudiciai-thod rather than by
force of arms-anl since it presents 10 the
world the glorious example of reason and
peace. not passion and war. controlling
the relations between two of the greatest
nations of the world. an example certain
to he followed by others. l respectfully
urge the early action of the Senate there
MI. not merely as Il matter of policy. but
as Il duty to mankind.
III Importance aud moral influence of
the ratification of such IL treaty can hard
~ be overestimated in the cause of adj
vancing civilization. 1t may we'll engage
the best thought of the statesmen aud
people of every country, and l cannot
but consider it fortunate that it was re-
served to the United States to have the
leadership in so grand IL work.
Extra Session of Congress.
1t has been the uniform practice of each
President to avoid. so far as possible. the
converting of Congress i'll extraordinary
session. 1t is an example which. under
ordinary circumstances and i'll the alb
.senre of IL public necessity, is to be COM
/ NihNN out Il III I COuNeIe LII
representatives of the people in Congress
in extra session when it involves neglect
of Il public duty places the responsibility
of such neglect upon the executive him
self. The condition of the public treas
Try rs has been indicated. demands the
immediate consideration of Congress. 1t
alone has the power to provide revenues
for the Government. Not to convene it
under such circumstances l can view in
no other sense than the neglect of u plain
duty.
i do not sympathize with the sentiment
thai Congress in session is dangerous to
our general business interests. Its men,
beers are the agents of the people, and
their presence ut the seat of Government
in the execution of the sovereign will
should not operate as an injury, but a ben
eft. There could be no better time to
put the Government upon Il sound tinan-
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.
III has always seemed to me that the
lostronement of the meeting of Congress
until more than Il year after it has been
| chosen dcprives Congress too often of the
inspirations of the popular will and the
country of the corresponding benefits. lt
is evident. therefore. that To postpone ac-
ton i'll the presence of SD great il ncrcs-
Sity would be unwisc OH the part of the
executive because unjust to the interests
OF the people. Our actions now will he
frrrr from mere partisan consideration
Than if the question of tariff revision w:.s
postponed until the regular session OF
Congress. We are nearly two years from
Il congressional election. and politics cam
moi so greatly distract lis as if such con
test w;ls Immediately pending. We can
alprn,rh The problem calmly aud patri-
officially. without fearing it's effect upon an
early election. Our fellow citizens who
! may disagree with us upon the character
of this legislation prefer to have the 1ues-
ton settled now. even agnils: their pre-
conceived vicws-and perhaps settled SO
reasonably. as l trust and believe it will
be. as To insure great prrmanence-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 IL fair
opportunity for trial before the people are
| called to pass Judgment upon il. and this
l consider Il great essential to the rigEtful
and lasting settlement of the question.
In view of these considerations. l shall
deem it 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, l congratulate the coun-
try upon the fruternal 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 Il 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 i'll this fact surely every lover of the
country can find cause for true ~felicita-
ton. Let us rejoice in and cultivate this
spirit: it is ennobling and will be both ii
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