The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1884-05-30
A rREsESr DUTY.

There is duty devolving upon the
people of Oregon at this time, the per-
formancs sf which ought not to be
neglected.. Asa commercial atate she
ought to declare herself firmly and de-
in favor Of freer commercial
intercourse with the maratime nations
of the world, and in favor Of 80 amend
ing our navigation laws as to promote
and encourage ship building 80 that
our productions may DO carried to
market under the American Flag in
bottoms made of Oregon timber, con.
structed by our own mechanics In our
shipyards, in our own ports. There is
reason why the American Flag has
been driven from the ocean. There is
a reason why all our productions are
carried to markets in foreign bottoms.
There is reason why our part Of the
carrying trade of the world has been
lost. There are plain reasons why
American productions are being made
to contribute to build up the navies Of
Europe. II the toiling artisans and
farmers of Oregon would deliberate but
for moment. they would be convinced.
The folly lies at tho door of the Repub-
lioan party,aud il boldly avows its Pur.
pose to continue il. In tho frat place,
its tariff laws have 50 discouraged ship
building-once great industry in this
country--that il has virtually ceased
The shipyards along the Atlantic sea-
board where thousand of men were con
stantly employed, are idle nov aud
deserted. Our flag which once WED
with the flags of every maratime nation
under the sun in honorable competition
for the proits of commercial adventure
no more gladdeHs the hearts OF Ameri
cans abroad, aud is seldom soen in oul
own ports unless il il displayed at th,
masthead of revenue eutter,or faunti
lazily in the breeze from some nava
structure of the ante belitm days, con
veying at public expense the family o
some Republican functionary to th'
fashionable resorts of Newport or Car'
May And to make il perfectly certain
that American capital and enterpris'
shall no more engage in eemnercia
adyenture-that American commercu
shall perish. No foreign built ship
though purchased By an American ans
manned by our own sailors, can receiv'
an American register or carry our flag
The Republican party is responsible 70
these unreasonable aud oppressive meas
ures, aud it proposes to continue AM
uphold them.
A few greedy capitalists control ii
councils and direct It's policy, ant
through its agency no redress is prom
Used or can be expected. Il is thu "a
thor Of these infamies and il will no
confess its errors by retraCing its steps
Hermann is pledged to the presea
order of tbiAg.. He is ths tool Of th'
monopolists. He promises no chang
and if he did would be powerless 4
accomplish it. Why not, thsn, elect
John Myersi He is honest and capa-
bic. All agree that q right about fac
is necessary. The duty is upon us
Let the partisan be lost sight of fcl
once, and let us perform a great anC
patriotic duty. The sooner it is don,
the sooner will the Oregon forests be
wrought into a merchant marine, anc
the riches Of commerce ill our port
with new life. Let US cease TO ponder
to the behests of soulless, eyaeting
selfish, grinding monopoly, and for ono,
try TO take care Of our own interests.