Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-27

| Never was more grievouS wrong don.
| the farmers of our country than thai
50 unjustly inflicted during the pas,
three years upon the wool growers OF
| America. At no time within the past
&c years and perhaps never during any
| previous period. have so many Of the
| wooden factories been suspended a.
now. The Republican party can be re-
| lied upon to correct these great
| wrongs, If again entrusted with the
control Of Congress.
| And the declaration Of the Rcpubli-
can platform that has met the most
| cordial support is that which favors
reciprocity The splendid results Of tho
| reciprocity arrangements which were
made under authority of the tariff law
| Of 1880 are striking and suggestive. In
| 1892 the export trade Of the United
States attained the highest point in our
History. The increase Of trade with
the countries with which we have reci-
procity agreements was $3,5G0,5 over
our trade in 1892 and $16,44072l over
| our trade in 1881. The only countries
with which the United States traded
that showed increased exports in 1899
were practically those with which we
iitLi arrangements. III my
judgment Congress should immedi-
ately restore the reciprocity sections
IF the old law, with such amendments,
if any, as time and experience sanction
as wise and proper.
The declaration of the platform
touching foreign immigration is one of
peculiar importance at this time, when
our own laboring people are in such
great distress. | am in hearty SYM
pathy with the present legislation re-
stricting foreign immigration and fa-
vor such extension Of the laws as will
secure the United States from invasion
in the debased and criminal classes of
The Ola World.
We should permit none to participate
in the advantages Of our civilization
vino do not sympathize with our aims
and form Of government. We should
receive none who come to make war
upon our institutions and profit by
public disquet and turmoil Against
all such Our gates must be tightly
closed.
The soldiers ana sailors OF the Union
should neither be neglected or forgot
ten. The government which they
served 20 well must not make their
lives or conditions harder by treating
them as suppiiants for relief in old age
or distress. Doubtless there have been
pension abuses and fraud in the nu-
merous claims allowed by the govern
ment. but the policy governing the adj
niniStration of the pension bureau
must always be fair and liberal no
deserving applicant should ever suffer
because Of a wrong perpetrated by or
for another.
The declaration Of the Republican
platform in favor Of the upbuilding OF
our merchant marine has my hearty
approval. Tho policy of discriminating
duties in favor Of our shipping which
prevailed in the early years OF our his
tory. should be again promptly adopted
by Congress and vigorously supported
until our prestige and supremacy on
he seas is fully maintained. Now that
the American navy is approaching a
position commensurate with our i'm
portance as a nation, we must supple
rent ii With a merchant marine that
will give Us the advantages in both our
coastwise and foreign trade that we
ought naturally and properly to enjoy.
The pledge Of the Republican ma
lipfldl COIN tlNtlil that bui XIV ii service
laws shall be sustained and thorough
~ ana honestly, ana extended wher-
ever practicable" is in keeping with
the position of the party for the past
3fycars and viii be faithfully observed
our opponents decry these reforms.
They apnear willing to abandon all
the advantages gained, after SD many
gears agitation and effort. They en-
courage n return to methods Of party (!
favortism which both parties have |
often denounced, that experience has |
condemned and the people have re-
peatcdly disapproved. The Republic |
can party earnestly opposes this reac- |
;ionary and entirely uniustiiiable pol |
icy. 1t will take no backward step |
upon this question 1t will seek to |
improve, but never degrade the pub |
lie service.
There are other important and time |
ly declarations in the platform which |
cannot here discuss | must content |
myself with saying that they have my |
approval IT, rs Republicans. we have
lately addressed our attention. with |
what may seem great stress and |
carnestnesS. To the new and unnro- |
tected assault upon the financial in
teGrity Of the government we have |
done il because the menace is so grave
as to demand especial consideration |
ana because we are convinced that If |
the people are aroused to the true un-
Outstanding and meaning of this silver
and imitation movement they will avert
the danger. In don this we feel that
we render the best service possible to
the country and We appeal to the in
teillSence. conscience and patriotism of
the people, Irrespective of party. or
section. for their earnest support
We avoid no issue. We meet the sud
den, dangerous and revolutionary as
sauit upon law and order and upon
those to whom is contided by the con-
and laws the authority to up
mold, aim, maintain them which our
opponents have made with the same
courage that we have faced every
emergency since our organization as
a party. more than 40 years ago. Gov
eminent by law must first be assured.
everything else can wait The shirt
OF laWlessness must be extinguished
by the fires of an unselfish and honest
patriotism. Every attack upon the
public faith and every suggestion of
the reputation of debts, public or pri-
vate, must be rebuked by all men who
believe that honesty is the best policy.