Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-03-12

Congress in session is dangerous to our gen.
eral business interests Its members are
the agents of the people, and their presence
at the seat of government in execution Of
the sovereign will should not operate as an
injury, but benefit
There could be no better time to put the
government upon sound financial and eco
nomic basis than now The people have
only recently voted that this should be
done, and nothing is more 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 un til more than year after 1t has
been chosen deprives Congress too often of
the inspiration of the popular will and the
country OF the corresponding benefits.
Congress to Meet March Is.
1T is evident, therefore, that to postpone
action in the presence of SO great neces-
sity would be unwse on the part of the ex-
ecutive because unjust to the interests of
the people. Our actions now will be freer
from mere partisan consideration than II
the question of tariff revision was post
poned until the regular session of Congress
We are nearly two years from a Congress-
ional election. and politics cannot SO great
ly distract us as If such contest was imme-
diately pending, We can appro ZACH the
problem calmly and periodically without
fearing its effect upon an early elec ton.
Our fellow citizens who may disagree with
us upon the character of this leg Station
prefer to have the question settled now,
even against their preconceived views-and
perhaps settled so reasonably, as l trust
and believe it will be- as to insure great per-
manence-than to have further uncertainty
menacing the vast and varied business in
terests of the United States. Again, what
ever action Congress may take will be given
a fair opportunity for trial before the peo-
pie are called to pass judgment upon it, and
this consider great essential to the right
ful and lasting settlement of the question.
In view of these considerations shall deem
it my duty as President to convene Congress
in extraordinary session on Monday. the
18th day of March, 1897,
A New Spirit in the Nation.
In conclusion, congratulate the country
npon the fraternal spirit of the people and
the manifestation of good will everywhere
so apparent. The recent election not only
most fortunately demonstrated the obliter-
alton of ge geographical or sectional lines, but
to some extent also the prejudices which
for years have distracted our councils
and marred our true greatness as a ma
ton 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 are no longer
divided on the old lines, but upon principles
and policies and in this fact surely every
lover of the country can find cause for true
feliCitation Let US rejoice in and cultivate
this spirit 1t 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 ar
rest or disturb this growing sentiment of
unity and co-operatio this revival of es-
teen and affiliation which now animates so
many thousands iE both the old and antag-
onistic sections. but shall cheerfully do
everything possible to promote and in
crease it.
Let us 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 countrymen
observe: Il will faithfully execute the office
of President of the United States, and
will, to the best of my ability, preserve.
protect and defend the constitution of the
United States. This is the obligation have
reverently taken before the Lord Most High.
To keepit will be my single purpose; my
constant prayer-and shall confidently rely
upon the forbearance and assistance of all
the people in the discharge of my solemn
responsibilities.