nations of the world, and this accords with my conception of our duty
now. We have cherished the policy of non-interference with affairs of
foreign governments wisely inaugurated by Washington, keeping ourselves
free from entanglement, either as allies or foes, content to leave
undisturbed with them the settlement of their own domestic concerns. It
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 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 contingency. Arbitration is the true method of
settlement of international as well as local or individual differences.
It was recognized as the best means of adjustment of differences
between employers and employees by the Forty-ninth Congress, in 1886,
and its application was extended to our diplomatic relations by the
unanimous concurrence of the Senate and House of the Fifty-first
Congress 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 Washington and transmitted 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 as the
leading feature of our foreign policy throughout our entire national
history - the adjustment of difficulties by judicial methods rather
than force of arms - and since it presents to the world the glorious
example of reason and peace, not passion and war, controlling the
relations between two of the greatest nations in the world, an example
certain to be followed by others, I respectfully urge the early action