Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-10-03

eHeCt IciOIm. WLMn certain IuDts
candidates for Office should be subjected
TO examination as to their capacity. He
expressed himself however, opposed to
any increase of life tenure offices. His
closing remarks were as follows:
81 cannot doubt that the last five years
constitute the most prosperous period in the
nations life. Judge it by the extension of
manufactures, the construction of railways,
the growth of cities in every part of the land,
the wages of the laborers, the deposits in
savings institutions, which represent truth
fully the condition of the laboring classes,
the improvement of farms and farm buildings,
the decrease Of pauperism, and, finally, by
the prosperity of the railway system, which
tests as by a Thermometer the prosperity OF
every section of the country traversed by it.
The wages of labor are nearly as great as
they we're during the war, while most articles
of necessity and comfort are barely more ex-
pensive than they were in 1859 and 1860. !
mention low-priced woolens, cotton cloths,
and grain generally, in support of this state
ment
Of one fact there can be no doubt, the
present wages of a laborer-and if he be a
skilled laborer, then is he striking example
of what say-will procure at least 25 per
life than he could have obtained from his
labor in 1859.
am not now dealing with the labor ques-
ton, or seeking to unfold the relations OF EN-
ployer and employed; l only now present and
array facts known to all, against the error
that the country as whole is not prosperous.
Yet foresee even greater prosperity than
is now enjoyed. Cheap communication be-
tween the East and West will be of mutual
benefit. The Western farmer may receive
more for his crops while the Eastern con-
sumner pays less, the difference in the cost OF
transportation being divided between them.
As a consequence, the products of the East
will be delivered to the consumer at prices re-
duced by the diminished cost both of produc-
ton and transportation.
States politically and financially will stimu-
late emigration from Europe. The recent
war and the present unsettled condition of
affairs are causes operating in the same di-
rection. If we preserve the peace, if We pro-
| tect the national honor, if we provide for
general education, if we secure to every citi-
zen his constitutional rights, Europe must
either accept republican institutions or the
best part Of Europe will come to America.
The civilization of slavery could not with
stand the civilization of freedom, and slavery
fell. The civilization of monarchies and des-
potisms cannot Withstand the influence of re-
generated America. We are already so near
the hundredth anniversary of American indie
pendence that we can welcome the coming
day. 1t will not only be heralded and cele
brated by forty-fve millions of American
citizens, but by the inhabitants of France,
Spain, Italy, United Germany, and Great
Britain.
We trust that some Of them will then be
living under the mild influences of Republic
can institutions, and that all Of them will be
subject to those ideas and principles which
prepare the way for Republican institutions,
and on which they must ultimately rest.
In conclusion my friends, I state in three
propositions what think most essential to
the welfare of the country:
l. Provide for public education, and with
out fear, meet, discuss, and settle every ques-
ton of business, labor and government.
2. Maintain the constitutional amendments
and secure legislation calculated to make the
guarantees effective for all.
3. Preserve the Public Faith, as becomes
great nation which must answer to itself and
to the world, in every generation and in every
age, for what it now does.
VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN, CONVEN-
TON.
The Virginia Republican State Convention
held at Richmond on the 9th was success.
The object was to adopt a plan of organiza-
ton and platform for the legislative cam
paign which is about to open. The spirit
of harmony prevailed. The contending
wings met together and agreed upon Of
ficers and committees The Hon. c. II. Por-
ter was made permanent President, the Hon.
W. H. II. Stowe, Chairman of Committee on
Credentials, and Hon. John f. Lewis, Chair
man of Committee on Business. The strik-
ing feature of the morning session was a reso-
luton declaring that the Old Line Wings are
the natural allies of the republican party in
sympathy and principle, although not so in
the South in name; and cordially inviting all
such to come into the republican fold, and
participate in any benefits that may accrue
therefrom.
This proposition was greatly applauded and
will prove popular in the opening campaign.
Speeches were made by COL Ordway, Ser
geant-at-Arms of the House of Representa-
tives, and Col. Hinton, Secretary Of the Re-
publican Congress Executive Committee. AT
night an elaborate and apparently efficient
| plan Of party organization was adopted.
| The platform adopted reaffirms the devo-
ton TO the principles of the republican party
as announced at the Chicago convention, and
pledges the party in Virginia to the support OF
the tariff which while securing the necessary
revenue shall give incidental protection to
American industry; a national banking sys-
TEN affording safe and uniform currency,
and absolute security to bill-holders the pol
icy of extending Government aid to the States
in improving their rivers and harbors the abb
solute payment of all obligations of the Gov
ernment, and a sufficient yearly reduction OF
the national debt to convince the world OF
our determination to ultimately extinguish it
while at the same time we carefully avoit
burdening the people with onerous and I'M
necessary taxation; that we heartily indorse
the administration of President Grant, and
are unanimously in favor of his denomination
in 1879.
The Convention also adopted platform o.
State policy embodying a spirited arrange
ment of the Democratic Legislature of Virgin
ia for increasing taxation unduly, reviving the
whipping post, enlarging the powers of cOun-
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