The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-03-20

The spirit, courage and skill of our naval officers
and seamen have many times in our history given
beyond that of the naval list. That they will again
do so upon occasion do not doubt but they
ought not BY prcmeditation neglect to be left to
the risks and exigencies OF an unequal combat
We should encourage the establishment of Amer
can steamship lines. The exchanges OF commerce
demand stated, reliable aud rapid means of COM
muuicaton. aud until these arc provided the devel.
opment of our trade with the States lying south of
rs is impossible.
Our pcnsion law should give more adequate and
discriminating relief to the Union soldiers and
occasions as this should remind us that we owe
everything TO their yalor and sacrifice.
THE NEW STATES.
It's subject of congratulation that there is
near prospect of admission into the Union of the
Dak0tas and Montana and Washington Territories.
This act of Justice has been unreasonaoy delayed
in the case Of some of them. Tho people who
have settled those Territories are Intelligent enter
prisins and patriotic and the accession OF these
new States will add strength to the Nation. lt is
lvailcd themselves of the invitations of our Land
laws to make homes upon the public domain taas
their title shoald be speedily adjusted and-their
honest entries confirmed by patent
ELEcToP 80 REFORM.
It's very gratifying to observe the general interest
now being manifested IN tne reform OF our eiecsoa
ton to the pressing necessity OF throwing about the
ballot box. and about the elector, further safe
guards, In order that our elections might not only
&c free and pure, but might clearly appear to be So
will welcome the accession of any who did not SO
sooa discover the need of reform. The National
Congress has not rs yet taken control or electons
sdction, but has accepted and adopted the election
laws of the several States, provided penalties Tor
their violation and method of supervision. Only
the inehlcency of the State laws, or an unfair or
partisan administration of them could suggest
departure from this policy. It was clearly, how
cvcr in the contemplation of the trainers OF the Con-
sttution that such IN exigeney might arise and
provision was wisely made for it. No power vested
In Congress or in the Executive to secure or per-
petuatc it should remain unused upon occasion.
The people of all the Congressional districts have
an equal interest that the election IN each shall truly
qualified electors residing withlnit. fhe results Of
such elections are not local. and tho tnsistence OF
electors residing in other districts that they shall be
pure and free does not SAVIOR at all of imperti-
icncc If in any of the States the public security Is
thought to be threatened by ignorance among the
electors the obvious remedy is education. The sym
pathy aud help of our people will not be withheld
easements difficulties connected with the suffrage
If the remedies proposed proceed upon lawful lines
and are promoted by Just and honorable methods.
How shall those who practise election frauds recover
that respect for the sanctity of the ballot which is
the first condition and obligation of good citizenship?
The man who has come to regard the ballot-bo1 as
juggler's hat has renounced his allegiance. Let Us
cXat paCroIsul anu nouelatc our purity Contenlious
Let those who would die for the flag on the field Of
battle give better proof of their patriotism and
higher glory to their country BY promoting frater-.
nifty and justice. party success that Is achieved
by unfair methods or by practices that partake OF
revolution Is hurtful and cvanescent, even from
party standpoint. We should hold our different
opinions in mutual respect and having submitted
them to the arbitramcnt OF the ballot should accept
an adverse Judgment with the same respect that VIC
would have demanded Of our opponents, II the dect-
sion had been In our favor.
No other people have government more worthy
of their respect and love, or Land so magnificent
in extent, so pleasant to look upon and 80 full Of
generous suggestion TO enterprise and labor. God
has placed upon our head diadem, and has laid at
our feet power aud wealth beyond definition or CAL
culation. But we must not forget that we take
these gifts upon the condition that JUSTICE and mer-
cy shall hold the rens Of power, and that the up
ward 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. Passion has
swept some OF our communities, but only. to give
us q new demonstration that the great body of our
chi party can long pursue advantage at the expense
OF public honor, or by rude and Indecent methods
without protest and fatal disaffection in its own
body. The peaceful agencies Of commerce are
more fully revealing the necessary unity OF all our
communities and the increasing intercourse of our
people is promoting mutual respect. We shall find
unalloyed pleasure in the revelation which next
census will make of the swift development Of tho
great resources of some of the States. Each State
will bring its generous contribution to tho great
aggregate of the nations increase. And, when the
harvest from the fields, the cattle from tho hills and
the ores of the earth shall have been weighed,
counted and valued. we will turn from them all to
crown with highest honor the State that has the
most promoted education. virtue, justice, and pa
triotism among the people.