The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1893-03-08


stable currency. It's exposure to de-
gradation should at once arouse to act
ivity the most enlightened statesman
ship and the danger of depreciation in
the purchasing power of the wages
paid to toll should furnish the strongest
incentive to prompt and conservative
precaution.
LAWS OF FINANCE AND TRADE.
In dealing with our present embar-
RAISING situation as related to this sub
iect, we will be wise if we temper our
confidence and faith in our national
strength and resources with the frank
concession that even these will not per-
nit us to defy with impunity the mex
orable laws of finance and trade. At
the same time, in our efforts to adjust
differences of opinion, we should be
free from intolerance or passion and
our judgments should be unmoved by
alluring phrases and unvexed by self
ish interests | am confident that such
an approach to the subject will result
in prudent and effective remedial legis-
lation. In the meantime, so far as the
executive branch of the government
can intervene, none of the powers with
which it is invested will be withheld,
when their exercise is deemed neces-
sary, to maintain our national credit or
avert financial disaster.
Closely related to the exaggerated
confidence in our country's greatness,
which tends to disregard of the rules
of national safety, another danger con-
fronts us not less serious. l refer to
the prevalence of popular disposition
to expect from the government especial
and direct individual advantages. The
verdict of our voters, which condemned
the injury of maintaining for protec-
ton for projections sake, enjoinS upon
the peoples servants the duty of ex-
posing and destroying the brood OF
kindred evils, which are the unwhole-
some progeny of paternalism. This is
the bane of republican institutions and
the constant peril of our government
by the people. 1t degrades to the pur-
poses of willy craft the plan of rule our
fathers established and bequeathed to
us as an object of our love and venera-
ton.
F-RELIANcE UNDERMINED.
1t perverts the patriotic sentiment Of our
countrymen and tennis them to a pitiful
calCQIAUlOn OIL bue SOECIu gam " OO uSIINSu
from their governments maintenance. It
undermines the self-reliance of our people
and substitutes in its place dependence up
on governmental favoritism. 1t STILES the
spirit of true Americanism and stupefies
every ennobling trait of American citizen
ship The lessons of paternalism ought to
be unlearned and the better lesson taught
that ayhile the people should patriotically
and cheerfully support their government
it's functions do not include the support OF
the people.
The acceptance of this principle leads to
a refusal of bounties and subsidies which
burden the labor and thrift of a portion OF
our citizens, to aid ill-advised or languish-
ing enterrrises in which they have no con-
Germ. It leads also to a challenge of wild
and reckless pension expenditure, which
overleaps the bounds of grateful recogui
ton of patriotic service and prostitutes to
vicious uses the peoples prompt and gen
erous impulse to aid those disabled III thel1
country's defense.
Every thoughtful American must realize
the Importance of checking at its begin
ming any tendency in public or private sta
tion to regard frugality and economy as
virtues which we may safely outgrow.
The liberation of this idea results in the
waste of the peoples money by then
chosen servants and encourages prodlgal
ity and extravaganza in the home lie OF
our countrymen. '~----=zzz-z=znn----5ur scheme OF
government waste OF pubic HOu0S 10 {
crime against the citizen; and the con
tempt of our people for economy and fru
gality in their personal affairs deplorably
saps the strength and sturdiness OF our ma
| tional character.
PUBLIC EXPENDITURES.
It is plain dictate of honesty and good
| government that public expenditure
| should be measured by the rules of stri
economy and it is equally clear that fru
| 10 Sc 4Lo hoe
anty of constant and strong support o
| free institutions. One mode of the misaI
| preparation of public funds is avoided whe
| appointments to office, ms tead of being tn
| rewards of partisan activity, are awarde
to those whose efficiency promises fai
return of work for the compensation pal
| to them.
| To secure the fitness and competency {
| appointees to Office and to remove from pC
| litical action the demoralizing madness fo
| spoils civil service reform has found
| place in our public policy and laws Th
| benefits already gained through this ii
| Strumentality and the further usefulnes
| it promises entitle it to the hearty supper
and announcement of all who desire to Sc
| our public service well performed or wh
hope for the elevation of political sent
| ment and the purifcation of political metl
| DDS. The existence of immense aggregi
tions of kindred enterprises and combin
1
| purpose of limiting production and fxin
prices is inconsistent with the fair fiel
which ought to be open to every indepent
ent activity. Legitimate strife in bushes
should not be superseded by an enforce
concession to the demands of combination
that have the power to destroy, nor shoul
the people to be served lose the benefit
cheapness which usually results fro
wholesome competition. These aggreg
tions and combinations frequently const
tute conspiracies against the interests {
the people and are unnatural and oppose
to our American sense of fairness. To tt
extent that they can be reached and r
strained by federal power, the generi
government should relieve our citizer
from their interference and exactions.
Loyalty to the principles upon which OF
government rests positively demands thi
the equality before the law which it qua
antees TO every citizen should be justly ar
in good faith conceded in all parts of tt
land. The enjoyment Of this right follow
the badge of citizenship wherever foun
and unimpaired by race or color it appea
for recognition to American manliness an
fairness.
DEAL HONESTLY WITH INDIANS.
Our relations with the Indians locate
| within oI1r hordarS iponoSe unOn rs res ~