The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-03-08

9 Al1AAG\OAA ~ l.
of work for the compensation paid to
them. To secure fitness and colnpet-
ency of appointees to office, and to re-
move from political action demoralizing
madness for spoils, civil service reform
has found place in our public policy
and laws. The benefits already gained
through the instrumentality and the
further usefulness it promises, entitle it
to the hearty support and encourage
ment of all who desire to see our public
service we'll performed, or who hope for
the elevation of political sentiment and
the publication of polical methods.
Tie existence of immense aggrega-
tions of kindred enterprises and combl-
nations of business interests formed for
the purpose of limiting production and
fixing prices. is inconsistent with the
fair field which ought to be open to
every independent activity. Legitimate
strife in business should not be sup
pressed by enforced concession to the
demand of combinations that have
power to destroy, nor should the people
to be served lose the benefit of the
cheapness which usually results from
wholesome competition. These aggre-
cations and combinations frequently
constitute conspiracies against the in
terests of people and in all their phases
they are unnatural and opposed to our
American sense Of fairness. TO the
extent that they can be reached and re-
strained by the federal power, the gen.
eral government should relieve our cit
liens from their interference and ex-
actions.
The loyalty to the principles upon
which our government rests, positively
demands that equality before the law
which it guarantees to every citizen
should justly and in good faith be con-
conceded in all parts Of the land. The
enjoyment of this right follows the
badge of citizenship wherever found,
and unimpaired by race or color, it ap-
peals for recognition to American man.
illness and fairness.
Our relations with Indians located
within our borders impose upon US re-
sponsibilities We cannot escape. HUI
manity and consistency require US to
treat them with forbearance and in our
dealings with them to honestly and con-
siderately regard their rights and inter-
ssts. Every effort should be made to
lead them, through paths of civilization
and education, to self-supportlng and
independent citizenship. In the mean.
time as the nations wards they should
be promptly defended against the Gu.
pidity of designing men and shielded
from every influence or temptation that
retards their advancement.
The people of the United States have
decreed that on this day the control of
their government in its legislative and
executive branches shall be given to the
political party pledged in its most posi-
tive terms to the accomplishment OF
tariff reform. They have thus determined
in favor of more just and equitable
system of federal taxation. The agents
they have chosen to carry out their pur-
poses are bound by their promises, not
less than by the command of masters, to
devote themselves unremittingly to this
service. While there should be no sur
render of principle, our task must be
undertaken wisely and without vindic-
tiveness. Our mission is not punish
ment but rectifcation of wrongs. If in
lifting burdens from the daily life of
our people we reduce inordinate and
unequal advantages too long enjoyed,
this is but necessary incident of our
return to right end justice. If we ex-
act from unwilling minds acquiescence
in the theory of honest distribution of
the fund of government benefcency
treasured up for all, we but insist upon
the principle which nnderlies our free
institutions. When we tear aside delu-
sions and misconceptions which have
blinded our countrymen to their condi-
tion under the vicious tariff laws, we
but show them how far they have been
led away from the paths of contentment
and prosperity. When we proclaim
that the necessity for revenue to sup
port the government furnishes the only
justification for taxing the people, we
announce truth so plain that its de-
NAL would seem to indicate the extent
to which the Judgment may be influ-
enced by familiarity with the provis-
ions of the taxing power, and when we
seek to reinstate the self confidence and
business enterprise of our citizens by
discrediting abject dependence upon
governmental favor, we strive to stimu-
late those elements of American charac-
ter which support the hope of American
achievement.
Anxiety for the redemption of the
pledges which my party has made. and
solicitude for the complete justification
of the trust the people have reposed in
-cfr tn ri fhnSa with
whom l am to CO operate that we can
succeed in doing the work which has
been specially set before us only by the
most sincere, harmonious and disinte-
rested effort. Even if insuperable OBJ
stacles and opposition prevent the con-
summation of our task, we shall hardly
be excused. and if failure can be traced
to our fault or neglect we may be sure
the people will hold us to swift and ex-
acting accountability.
The oath I now take to preserve, pro-
tect and defend the constitution of the
United States not only impressively
defines the great responsibility l as
sulne, but suggests obedience to consti-
tutional command as the rule by which
nv official conduct must be guided, l
shall, to the best of my ability and with
in my sphere of duty preserve the con-
stitution by loyalty protecting every
grant of federal power it contains, by
defending all its restraints when at
tackled by impatience and restlessness,
and by enforcing its limitations and re-
seryations in favor of states and people.
Fully impressed with the gravity of the
duties that confront Inc and mindful of
nv weakness, should be appalled, If it
were my lot to bear unaided the respon-
sibilities which await me. am, how
ever. saved from Encouragement when