Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-03-14
An Appeal That Reaches Hearts.

An Appeal That Reaches Hearts.
IN. Y. Tribune.l
President Harrison's inaugural is worthy
OF the great Nation whose first century Of
progress he reviews. Eloquent and In
every way admirable in tone, breathing a
spirit of genuine patriotism, appealing to
the higher motives and better feelings of
political opponents, it is in the only praise
worthy sense non-partisan and yet seeks no
shallow approval by any concealment or
sacrifice of conviction. In that respect it
will remind the Nation of the earnest ap-
peal which made President Lncolns first
inaugural address powerful and memora-
BILE paper. It speaks unhesitatingly and
without compromise for those whose con-
victions have prevailed in the late election,
but speaks for them only as they sincerely
seek the welfare of the Republic. Felicit-
ously the President begins by referring to
Washington's Inauguration a century ago,
and to the growth of the Nation in territory,
in material conditions, in education and
comfort Of the people. From this he passes,
with brief recital of events which is
powerful argument in itself, to the duty of
maintaining that American industrial policy
which engaged the first thoughts of the pa
tIlOUS WHO lOuuueO JDc uepuDuC-
1T is not departure, but return that
we have witnessed says the President No
other answer could be so effective to the
plea that protection of home industry is un-
constitutional, or without the example of
the fathers Their purpose is ours though
changed circumstances call for different
laws With strong reasoning and a warmth
of feeling which arises to eloquence the
President celebrates the centennial triumph
OF the National cause, no longer sectional
for mill fires were lighted at the funeral
pile of slavery. We have no longer
States that are necessarily only planting
States" Earnestly Southern men are urged
not to cherish or tolerate the incapacities
which slavery put upon their communities,
and reminded that those who once followed
Henry Clay have now only to assert their
convictions manfully to enlist a victorious
following in some of the Southern States
Most happily, too, the President connects
the necessities of the New South, and the de-
mands of its new investors and workers for
protection, with the vital issue of free suf-
frage, saying:
Is It not quite POSSIBLE that the farmers am
the promoters OF the great mining and man
ufactur ng enterprises which have recently
been established in the South may yet find
that the free ballot OF the working man, with
out distinction OF race, is needed for their de-
Tense as well for his own?
There is a stern warning, as well as a
kindly courtesy, III the declaration: Il have
altogether rejected the suggestion of
special executive policy for any section of
our country" In all par is of the country
alike the President holds that it is his duty
to see that the laws are enforced But he
pleads with Southern men to remember
that community which denies to a por-
ton of its members their plain rights under
the law has severed the only safe bond Of
social order and prosperity"
The language of the address on foreign
affairs will be closely studied beyond our
own boundaries. While in spirit as well as
in word it looks toward peace with all ma
tons it states with great distinctnesS the
Presidents purpose not to suffer the rights
or interests of the Nation to he disregarded
The reference TO Samoan affairs may well
be observed: concession having been
obtained our consent will be necessary to
any modification or impairment of the con-
cession." With equal frankness the Presi-
dent declares his purpose to seek a genuine
reform of the civil service, and to expect a
hearty enforcement of the law from all sub
ordinates
No one will be surprised who read Presi-
dent Harrisons speeches when a candidate
that he strongly urges the propriety of not
postpOning expenditures which will pres
emily be necessary for the National welfare
or development The existence of surplus
revenue shows that this is of all others the
time to consider what may be most
wisely done to anticipate future needs
and in connection with that fact
the navy, the foreign mail service, the pen
sions and the state of popular education are
briefly considered Finally, the President
fifty closes with strong appeal for thor
ough reform in election methods, not for
getting that the constitution gives to the
general Government very large power on
this subject which in any emergency, it
should be ready to exercise. For, he rightly
says all districts have an equal interest in
the purity of elections in every district;
90 the man who has come to regard the bal
lot-box rs a juggler's hat has renowned his
allegiance"
The inaugural address will be criticised
angrily by those whose heresies or mis-
deeds it rebukes. The President will have
to complain, as DR.. Johnson once did, that
his speech had not been sufficiently at
tackled, adding: II never think l have hit
hard unless it rebounds" But the strong
and patriotic appeal of the President will
go TO the hearts and the convictions of the
American people, and will produce results
hereafter.