Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-03-06
provide. the DEVELOPMENT of our trade WITH tine

provide. the development of our trade with the
states lying south OF us is impossible.
Our pension laws should give more adequate
and discriminating relief to the Union soldiers
aud sailors, and to their widows and orphans.
Such occasions as this should remind Us that we
owe everything to their valor aDd sacrifice. It is
subject OF congratulation that there Is a near
prospect of the admission into the Union
of the Dakotas and Montana and Washington
Territories. This act of justice has been unrea-
sonably delayed in the case of some of them.
The people who have settled these territories are
Intelligent, enterprising and patriotic, and the
accession OF these new states will add strength TO
the nation. 1t is due to the settlers in the terri
tories. who have availed themselves of the invi-
tations of our land laws to make homes upon the
public domain. that their titles should be speed
lily adjusted and their honest entries confirmed
by patent.
1t is very gratifying to observe the general in
terest now being manifested in the reform of our
election laws. Those who have been for years
calling attention to the pressing necessity OF
throwing about the ballot box and about the
tons might not only be free and pure. but might
clearly appear to be So will welcome The acces-
sion OF any who did not so soon discover the
need OF reform. The national Congress
has not as yet taken control of elec-
tions in that case over which the constitu-
ton gives IL jurisdiction, but has accepted and
adopted the election laws of the several states,
provided penalties Tor their violation. and a
method of supervision. Only the inefficlency of
the state laws or an unfair or artisan admins
tratlon of them, could suggest depa' ture from
this policy 1t was clearly, however in the con-
mp'ation of the trainers of the constitution
that such an exigencv might arise, and provision
was wisely made for 1t. The freedom of the bal
lot is a condition of our national life, and no
power vested in Congress or in the executive,
TO secure or perpetuate it, should re-
main unused upon occasion The people of
all the congressional districts have an
equal interest that the election IN each shall
truly express the views and wishes of majority
OF the qualified electors residing within it. The
results of such elections are not local, and the
1nsstence OF electors residing in otner districts
that they shall be pure and free does not savo- at
all OF impertinence If, in any of the states, the
public security is thought to be threatened by
ignorance among the electors, the obvious RENE
dy Is education. The sympathy and help of our
people will not be withheld from any communi-
ments or difficulties connected with the
suffrage, If the remedies proposed
proceed upon law I'll lines aud are promoted by
just and honorable methods. How shall those
who practice election frauds recover that re-
spect tor the sanct1ty OF the ballot which is the
first condition and obligation of good citizen
ship? The man who has come to regard the bal
lot box as juggler's hat has renounced his ale
glance. Let us exalt patriotism and moderate
our party contentious Let those who would
ter proof of their patriotism and a high
er glory to their country by promoting
fraternity and justice. A party success that is
achieved by unfair methods or by practices that
partake of revolution is hurtful and evanescent,
even from party standpoint. We should hold
our differing opinions in mutual respect and,
ballot. should accept an adverse judgment with
the same respect that we would have demanded
OF our opponents, If the decision had been in our
favor.
No other people have a government more wor-
thy of their respect and love, or land so mag
nificent in extent, so pleasant to look upon, aud
so tull of generous suggestion to enterprise and
labor. God has placed upon our head diadem,
and has laid at our feet power and wealth, be-
yond definition or calculation. But we must
not forget that we take these gifts upon the con-
dition that justice and mercy shall hold the
reins of power, and that the upward avenues Of
hope shall be free to all the people
l do not mistrust the future. Dangers have
been in frequent ambush along our path, but we
have uncovered and vanquished them all. Pas
sion has swept some of our communities, but
only to give new demonstration that the
great body of our people are stable, patriotic
and law-abidIng, No political party can long
pursue advantage at the expense of public honor
or by rude and indecent methods without protest
and fatal disaf1ecuon in its own body. The
peaceful agencies of commerce are more
July revealing the necessary unity of all
our communities, and the increasing intercourse
OF our people is promoting mutuSl respect We
shall find unahOyeG pleasure in the revelation
which our next census will make, of the swift
deveC pment of the great resources of some OF the
states. Each state will bring its generous con-
trfbution to the great aggregate of the nation 8
increase. And when the Earvests from the fields,
the cattle from the hills. and the ores of the
earth, shall have been weighed, counted and val
ued, we will turn from them all to crown with
NOTED education. virtue. justice and patrio ism
ann