Wichita eagle., 1889-12-04

their employers resent the interference of
the emigration agents who seek
to stimulate such desire
but, notwithstanding all this, in many
parts OF our country. where the colored
population is large the people of that race
are by various devices deprived of any
effective exercise of their political rights,
and of many of their civil rights. The
| wrong does not expend itself upon those
whose votes are suppressed; every constltu-
ency III the union is wronged. 1t has been
the hope of every patriot that sense OF
justice and of respect for the law would
work a gradual cure of these fragrant evils.
Surely no one supposes that the present
can be accepted as permanent condition
and it is said that these communities must
work out this problem for themselves.
We have right to ask whether they are
at work upon it. Do they suggest any
solution? When and under what condi-
lions is the black man to have free bal
LOTT When is he, in fact, to have those
full civil rights which have so long been
his in law? When is that equality of in
f1uence which our government was intend
ed to secure to the electors to be restored!
This generation should courageously face
these grave questions and not leave them
as a heritage of woe to the next. The con-
sultation should proceed with candor,
caimness and great patience upon the lines
OF justice and humanity, not OF prejudice
and cruelty. No question in our country
can be OF rest except upon the firm base OF
justice and of the law.
PROTECTION TO POLITICAL RIGHTS.
l earnestly invoke the attention of con-
gresS to the consideration of such meas
ures within its we'll defined constitutional
powers as will secure to all our people
free exercise of their right of suffrage and
every other civil right under the constitu-
tionS and laws of the United States. No
evil. however deplorable can justify the
assumption either Oh the part of the exec
utive or of congress ofspowers not granteds
but both will be highly blamable if all the
powers not granted are not wisely but
firmly used to correct these evils. The
power to take the whole direction and con-
troll of the election of members of the
house of representatives is clearly given to
the general government. A partial and
qualined supervision of these elections is
provided for by law and in my opinion
this law may be so strengthened and ex-
tended as to secure on the whole
better results than can be attained by a
law taking all the processes of such cleo
ton into federal control. i he colOred man
should be protected in all of his relations
to the federal government, whether as lltl-
CANT, juror or witness In our courts, an
elector of member of congress or as a
The Merchant Marine.
There is nothing more justly humiliat-
ing to the national pride and nothing more
hurtful to the national prosperity than the
inferiority of our merchant marine COM
pared with that of other nations whose
general resources, wealth and seacoast
lines do not suggest any reason for their
supremacy on the seas. 1t was not always
SO, and our people are agreed. think, that
it shall not continue to be SO. 1t is not
possible in this communication to discuss
the causes of the decay OF our shipping in
terests or the different methods by which
it Is proposed to restore them. The state
ment of few we'll authenticated facts
and some general suggestions as to
legislation is all that is practicable.
the flags of England, France, Germany,
Spain and Italy, and engaged in foreign
commerce were promoted, and have since
been and now are literally aided by grants
of public money In one form or. another Is
generally known; that the American lines
of steamships have been abandoned by us
to an unequal contest with the aided lines
of the other nations until they have been
withdrawn, or in the few cases where they
are still maintained are subject to serious
disadvantages, is a matter of common
knowledge. The present situation is such
that travellers and merchandise find Liver
pool often Il necessary intermediate port
between New York and some of the South
American capitals. The fact that some of
the delegates from South American states,
to the conference of American nations low
in session at Washington, reached our
shores by reversing that line of travel is
very conclusive of the need of such a con-
ference, and very suggestive as to the first
and most necessary step In the direction OF
nations that are not our nelghbors upon
the lines of latitude but upon the lines of
established commercial intercourse.
STEAMSHIP SUBSIDY RECOMMENDED.
l recommend that such appropriations
be made for ocean mail service in Ameri-
can steamships between our ports and
those of Central and South America,
China, Japan, and the other important
islands in both of the great oceans, as will
be literally remuneratlve for the service
rendered, as will encourage the establish
ment and in some fair degree eQuallze the
chances of American steamship lines in
the competition which they must meet;
that the American states lying south OF us
will cordially cooperate in establishing
and maintaining such lines OF steamships
to their principal ports do not doubt.
NAVAL RESERVE NEEDED.
We should also make provision for
naval reserve, 20 consist of such merchant
ships of American construction and OF a
specified tonnage and speed as the OWNERS
will consent to place at the use OF the
government in case of need as armed
cruisers. England has adopted this
policy and as result can
now, upon necessity, at once
place upon her naval list some of the fast
est steamships in the world. A proper
Suspension of the construction of such
vessels would make their conversion into
effective ships of war very easy. l am an
advocate of economy in our national eX-
penditure for the purpose of extending our
foreign commerce. The enlargement ana
improvement of our merchant marine, the
development of a sufficient body of trained
veteran seaman, the promotion of rapid
and regular mail communication between
the ports OF other countries aud our own
and the adoption of large and swift Amer
lean steamships to naval uses in time OF
war are public purposes c. the highest
concern. The enlarged participation OF
our people in carrying trade, the new and
increased markets that Will be opened for
the products of our farms and factories,
the fuller and better employment of our
mechanics which will result from liberal
promotion of our foreign commerce, In
sure the widest posi- bic diffusion OF bene-
fit to all the states and to ali our people.
Everything is most propltious for the
present Inauguration of a liberal and pro-
gresssive policy npon this subject and we
should enter upon it with promptness and
decision. The legislation which | have
suggested, it is sincerely believed will pro-
mote the peace and honor of our country
and the prosperity and security of the
people | invoke the diligeut and serious
attention of congress to the consideration