The record-union., 1896-08-27

Many similar examples might be
given of our increased trade under
reciprocity with other countries, but
enough has been shown of the efficiency
of the legislation of 1890 to testify the
speedy restoration of its provisions.
In my judgment Congress should i'm
mediately restore the reciprocity sec
ton of the law, with such amendments,
if any, that time and experience sane
tions as wise and proper. The under
lying principle of this legislation must,
however, be strictly observed. 1t is
to afford new markets for our surplus
! agricultural and manufactured prod
ucts without loss to the American la
horer of single days work that he
might otherwise procure.
FOREIGN IMMIGRATION.
''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. l am in hearty sym
pathy with the present legislation re-
stricting foreign immigration, and favor
such extension of the laws as will Sc
cure the United States from invasion
b. the debased and criminal classes of
| the old world
While we adhere to the public policy
under which our country has received
great bodies of honest, industrious cit
izens, who have added to the wealth
and progress of the country, and will
welcome to our shores the we'll disposed
and industrious immigrant who con-
tributes by his energy and intelligence
| to the cause of free government, we
want no immigrants who do not seek
our shores to become citizens. We
| should permit none to participate in
the advantages of our civilization who
| do not sympathiZe with our aims and
our form of Government We should
welcome none who come to make war
on our institutions, and profit by public
disQuiet and turmoil. Against all such
our gates must be tightly closed.
SOLDIERS AND SAILORS.
"The soldiers and sailors of the Union
should neither be neglected nor forgot
| ten. The Government which they
served so we'll must not make their lives
or condition harder by treating them as
supplicants for relief in old age or dis
| tress, nor regard with disdain or con-
tempt the earnest interest one comrade
/ Id ally IlldillleSlS III the Wei1dIC vi
another. Doubtless there have been
pension abuses and frauds in the nu-
merous claims allowed by the Govern
ment, but the policy governing the ad
miniStration of the Pension Bureau
must always be fair and liberal. No de-
serving applicant should ever suffer be-
cause of a wrong perpetrated by or for
another. Our soldiers and sailors gave
the best they had. They freely offered
health, strength, limb and life to save
| the country in the time of its greatest
peril, and the Government must honor
them in their need as in their service
with the respect and gratitude due to
brave, noble and self-sacrifcing men
who are justly entitled to generous aid
in their increasing necessities.
OUR MERCHANT MARINE AND
NAVY
THE declaration of the Republican
platform in favor of the building of
| our merchant marine has my hearty
approval. The 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 the
seas is fully attained. We should no
longer contribute, directly or indirectly
to the maintenance of the colossal ma
rine of foreign countries, but provide an
| efficient and competent marine of our
own now that the American navy is
assuming aposition commensurate with
| our Importance as a nation q policy |
am glad to observe the Republican plat
form STRONGLY iDdnrcQc
plement it with merchant marine that
will give us the advantages. in both our
coastwise and foreign trade that we
have naturally and properly to enjoy.
1t should be at once a matter of public
policy and national pride to repossess
this immense and prosperous trade.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
THE pledge of the Republican Ma
tional Convention that our civil service
system should be sustained and thor
| oughly and honestly enforced and ex-
tended wherever practicable is in keep
ing with the position of the party for the
past tWenty-four years, and will be
faithfully observed. Our opponents de-
cry these reforms. They appear will
ing to abandon all the advantage
maintained after SO many years agita-
tion and effort. They encourage a re-
turn to methods of party favoritism
which both parties have often de-
nounced, that experience has con-
demned and that the people have re-
peatedly disapproved. The Republican
party earnestly opposes this reaction
airy and entirely unjustifiable policy 1t
will take no backward step upon this
question. ii will seek to improve but
never degrade the public service.
1T DEMANDS ESPECIAL ATTEN-
TON
There are other important and time
ly declarations in the platform which I
cannot here discuss. l must content
myself with saying that they have my
approval. If, as Republicans, we have
lately addressed your attention with
what may seem great stress and
earnestness to the new and unexpected
assault upon the financial integrity of
the Government, we have done so be-
cause the menace is so grave as to de-
mand especial considerations and be-
cause we are convinced that if the
people are aroused to the true under
standing of this silver and imitation
! movement they will avert the danger.
In doing this we feel that we render the
best service possible to the country, and
we appeal to the intelligence, conscience
and patriotism OF the people, irrespec-
tive of party or section, for their earn
est support.
IT WILL MAINTAIN LAW AND OR
DER.
we avoid no issues; we meet the sug-
gestion, dangerous and revolutionary
assault upon law and order and I1por