Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-09-03

creased trade under reciprocity with othe
countries, but enough has been shown 0
the efficacy OF the legislation Of 1890 to jus
tify the speedy restoration Of Its reclprocit
provisions.
IN my Judgment. congress should imme
diately restore the reciprocity sections 0
the old law, with such amendments.
any, as time and experience sanction a
wise and proper. The underlying prlncipl
Of this legislation must, however, be strict
ly observed. II Is to afford new market
for our surplus agricultural and manu-
featured products. without loss to tn
American laborer Of a single days worl
that ne might otherwise procure.
Foreign Immigration. q
THE declaration of the platform touch
Ing foreign immigration Is one OF peculia
Importance at this time, when our own la
boring people are in such great distress
! am In hearty sympathy with the presen
legislation restricting foreign immigration
and favor such extension of the laws al
will secure the United States from In
vasl0n by the debased and criminal classe!
OF the old world. While we adhere to tn,
public policy under which our country has
received great bodies CT honest, industrious
citizens, who have added to the wealth
progress and power of the country, ant
> while we welcome to our shores the well.
disposed and Industrious immigrant who
contributes 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 mona
to participate In the advantages Of our
civilization who 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
disqulet and turmoil. Against all such our
gates must be tightly closed.
Our Soldiers and Sailors.
"The soldiers and sailors of the union
should neither be neglected nor forgotten
The government which they served 90 we'll
must not make their lives or condition
harder by treating them as supplicants for
relief in old age or distress, nor regard with
disdain nor contempt the earnest interest
one comrade naturally manifests In the
welfare of another. Doubtless there have
been pension abuses and frauds In the
numerous claims allowed by the govern
ment, but the policy governing the admin
istration Of the pension bureau must al
ways be fair and LIBERAL No deserving ap-
plicant should ever suffer because 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-sacriflcing men who are
justly entitled to generous aid In their In
creasing necessities.
Our Merchant Marine and Navy.
1.-THE declaration Of the republican plat
form In favor Of the upbuilding of our mer-
rrfnp lnn In knr ~kxV
The policy Of discriminating duties In
favor Of our shipping which prevailed in
the early years Of our history should be
again promptly adopted by congress and
vigorously supported until our prestige
and supremacy on the seas Ii fully at
tained. We should no longer contribute
directly or Indirectly to the maintenance Of
the colossal marine Of foreign countries,
but provide an efficient and complete
marine Of our own, now that the American
navy Is assuming position commensurate
with our Importance as nation, policy
! am glad to observe the republican plat
form strongly indorses; we must supple
ment 1t with merchant marine that will
give us the advantages In both our coast
wise and foreign trade that we ought nat
urally and properly to enjoy. 1t should be
at once matter Of public policy and ma.
tional pride to repossess this immense and
trade
Civil Service Reform.
THE pledge of the republican national
convention that our civil service laws
shall be sustained and thoroughly and !
honestly enforced and extended wherever
practicable is In keeping with the position t
OF the party for the past "a years and will
be faithfully observed. Our opponents de-
cry these reforms, They appear willing
to abandon all the advantages maintained
after SO many years of agitation and eff
fort. They encourage return to methods
Of party favorltism which both parties
condemned and that the people have re-
,eatedly disapproved. The republican party
earnestly opposes this reactionary and en-
.irely untustifable policy 1t will take no
backward step upon this question. II will
'eek to improve, but never degrade, the
public service
Demands Especial Attention.
There are other important and timely
declarations In the platform which can
lot here discuss ! must content myself
With saying that they have my approval,
4, as republicans, we have lately addressed
'ur attention with what may seem great
tress and earnestness to the new and un-
expected assault upon the financial In
egrity OF the government, we have done
because the menace Is so grave as to de-
nand especial consideration, and because
We are. convinced that If the people are
reused to the true understanding and (
Meaning Of this silver and initiation move-
nent they Will avert the danger In doing
his we feel that we render the best service {
ossible to the country, and we appeal to
he intelligence, conscience and patriot I
SIN OF the people, irrespective of party or
ection, for their earnest support.
Will Maintain Law and Order. =,
1--WE avoid no issues. We meet the sud-
en-, dangerous and revolutionary assault c
pom law and order, and upon those whom |
conflded by the constitution and laws
re authority to uphold and maintain them, Z
hich our opponents have made, with the =
lme courage that we have faced every
mercency since our organization as a Z
arty, more than 40 years ago. Government {
law must first be assured; everything :,
Sc can walt. The spirit OF lawlessness L
ust be eytinguishea by the fires of an i
nsefish and lofty pat 1otism Every at :,
lck upon the public faith and even sug- II
estion of the Reputation of debts, public
private, must be rebuked by all men G.
no believe that honesty is the best pol l.
y. or who love their country and would Il
'eserve unsullled It's national honor a
Sectionslism Almost Obliteraled. a
1.-THE country Is to be congratulated upon h
e almost total obllteration of the sec
)nal lines which for so many years Il
arked the division of the United States A.
to slave and free territory and finally -
reatened its partition In two separate p
vernments by the dread ordeal Of civil i,
ar The era Of reconciliation, so long =
i'd earnestly desired by Gen. Grant and n
any other great leaders, north and south,
we happily come and the feeling of dis g
1st and hostility between the sections Is
erywhere vanishing, let us hope never -,
return. Il
Nothing Is better calculated to give II
'ength to the nation !at home, increase v
r power and influence abroad, and add &
the permanency and security of our free m
situations, than the restoration OF cordial
lations between the people of all sections W
q parts of our beloved country. II AZ
lied by the SURFACES of the people TO as a,
me the duties Of the high office Of presi- u
Mt or the United States, / shall count II a d,
vllege to aid, even In the slightest degree. =
the promotion of the spirit OF fraternai 10
gard which should animate and govern m
3 citizens OF every section, state or part >,
the republic. III
After the lapse of century since its m
ferance, let us, at length, and forever \,
Ter, heed the admonition OF Washington: ~
here should be no north, no south, no In
", no WeSt-but a common country A.