Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-03-06

islence and the Recommendation ana
support of such new statutes as may DC
necessary to carry 1t into effect.
Our naturalization and immigration
laws should he further improved. to the
constant promotion of a safer. better
andfa higher citizenship. a grave peril
To the republic would he a citizenship
too ignorant to understand or too vicious
10 appreciate the great value and benc-
iirence OF our institutions and laws
ana against all who come here to make
war upon them our gates must h"
promptly and tightly closed. Nor must
we be unmindful of the need Of improve
nent among our own citizens, but, with
the zeal of our forefathers encourage
the spread of knowledge and free edu-
cation. llliteracy must he banished from
the land. If we shall attain that high des-
tiny as the foremost of the enlightened
nations of the world, which. under
Providence, we ought to achieve.
Reforms in the civil service must 60
on, but the changes should be real and
genuine, not perfunctory or prompted
by a zeal in behalf of any party simply
because 1t happens to be in power. AS
a member of congress, voted and spoke
in favor of the present law, and l shall
attempt II enforcement in the spirit in
which II was enacted. The purpose in
view was to secure the most efficient
service of the best men who would &C.
cept appointment under the government,
retaining faithful and devoted public
servants in office, but shielding none I'M
der the authority of any rule or custom
who are inefficient, incompetent or I'M
worthy. The best interests of the coun-
try demand this, and the people heartily
approve the law wherever and when
ever 1t has been thus administered.
Congress should give prompt attention
to the restoration of our American mer-
chant marine, once the pride of the seas
IN all the great ocean highways of COM
merce. To my mind. few more import
ant subjects so imperatively demand its
intelligent considera ton. The United
States has progressed with marvellous
rapidly in every field of enterprise and
endeavor, until we have become fore
most in nearly all the great lines of in
land trade, commerce and industry.
Yet, while this is true, our American
merchant marine has been steadily de-
Ginning, until 1t is now lower, both in
the percentage of tonnage and the num-
prior to the civil war. Commendable
progress has been made of late years in
the upbuilding of the American navy.
but we must supplement these efforts
by providing, as proper cOnSort for 1t,
a merchant marine amply sufficient for
our own carrying trade to foreign cOun-
tries. The question il one that appeals
both to our business necessities and
81. TO-, n
pie.
1t has been the policy of the United
States, since the foundation of the gov
eminent, to cultivate relations Of peace
and amity with all the nations of the
world, and this accords with my con-
ccption of our duty now. We have
cherished the policy of non-interferncc
with the affairs of foreign governments,
wisely inaugurated by Washington,
keeping ourselves free from entangle-
ment, either as allies or foes, content to
leave undisturbed with them the settle
ment of tl.efr own domestic concerns. 1t
VIII be our aim to pursue a firm and dig
nified foreign policy, which shall be Just
impartial, ever watchful of our national
honor and always insisting upon the en-
forcement of the lawful rights Of Ameri-
Vail SIliACIlS CNcIy WucIt. OuT
cy should seek nothing more, and accept
nothing less, than is due us. We want
no wars of conquest; 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 almost every con-
tingency. Arbitration Is the true meth
cd of settlement of International as we'll
as local or individual difference. 1t was
recognized as the best means of adj
justment of differences between employ
ers and employees by the Forty-ninth
congress, in 1886, and it's application
was extended to our diplomatic relations
by the unanimous concurrence of the
senate and house of the Fifty-first con-
gress in 1890. The latter resolution was
accepted as the basis of negotiations
with us by the British house of commons
in 1893, and upon our invitation a treaty
of arbitration between the United States
and Great Britain was signed at WASH
ington and transmitted to the senate for
it's ratification in January last. Since
this treaty is clearly the result of our
own initiative; since 1t has been recog-
nized as the leading feature of our for
eign policy throughout our entire ma
tiOnal histOry-the adjustment of diff
culties by judicial methods rather than
by force Of arms-and since it presents
to the world the glorious example of rea-
sor and peace, not passion and war, con-
II olling the relations between two of the
greatest nations of the world, an ex-
ample certain to be followed by others,
I respectfully urge the early action of
the senate thereon, not merely as mat
ter of policy, but as duty to mankind.
The importance and moral influence of
the ratification of such Il treaty can
hardly be overestimated in the cause of
advancing civilization. 1t may we'll en-
gage the best thought of the statesmen
and people of every country, and 1 can
not but consider II fortunate that it was
reserved to the United States to have
the leadership in so grand work.
1t has been the uniform practice of
each president to avoid, as far as pos
sible, the converting Of congress in ex-
traordinary session. 1t is an example
which. under ordinary circumstances
and in the absence of public necessity,
Is to be commended, but a failure to
convene the representatives of the peo-
pie in congress in extra session when 1t
involves neglect Of public duty, places
the responsibility 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 revenues for the gov
eminent Not to convene it 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
In our business interests. It's members
are the agents Of the people, and their
presence at the seat Of government, In
the execution of sovereign will, should
not operate as an injury. but benefit.
There could he no better time to put
the government upon sound financial
and economic basis than now. The peO-
pie have only recently voted that this
should he done. and nothing Is more
binding upon the agents of their will