The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1896-09-03

another. Our soldiers and sailors gave
the Government 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 graft
tude due to brave, noble and self-sacrt-
hcing men, who are justly entitled to
stiles.
OUR MERCHANT MARINE AND
NAVY.
Z The declaration Of the Republican
platform in favor of the upbuilding 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
rines Of foreign countries. but PROVIDE
an efficient and complete marine OF our
own. Now that the American Navy Is
assuming the position commensurate
with our Importance as nation, a pol
icy am glad to observe the Republic
an platform strongly tndorseS, we must
supplement 1t with a merchant marine
that will give us the advantages in both
our coastwfse and foreign trade that We
ought naturans- and properly to enjoy
It should be at once matter Of public
policy and national pride to repossess
this immense and prosperous trade.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The pledge of the Republican Conven-
ton that our civil service laws "shall be
sustained and thoroughly and honestly
enforced and extended wherever prac-
hcable" is in keeping with the position
of the party for the past twenty-four
years. and will be faithfully observed
Our opponents decry those reforms
They appear willing to abandon all the
advantages gained after SO many years
Of agitation and effort. They encour-
age a return to methods of party favor
ttism which both parties have often de-
nouncad, that experience has condemn
ed and that the people have repeatedly
disapproved. The Republican party
earnestly opposes this reactiona:,y and
entirely unjustihable policy. It will
take no backward step upon this ques-
ton 1t will seek to improve, but never
degrade the public service.
IT DEMANDS SPECIAL ATTENTION,
There are other important and timely
declarations in the platform which I
cannot here discuss must content
myself with saying that they have my
approval. II, as Republicans, we have
lately addressed our attention with with
what may seem great stress and earn
estness to the new and unexpected as
sault upon the financial integrity OF the
Government, we have done 1t because
the menace Is SO grave as to demand
especial consideration, and because we
are convinced that If the people are
aroused to the true understanding ana
meaning Of this silver and imitation
movement they will avert the danger
In doing this we feel that we render tbs
best service possible to the country, and
we appeal to the intelligent conscience
and patriotism of the people, trrespec-
tive of party or section, for their earnest
support.
WILL MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER
We avoid no issue. We meet the sud
den. DANGEROUS and revolutionary as
sault upon law and order and upon
those to whom Is confided by the legis-
lation and the laws, the authority to up
hold and maintain them which our op-
ponents have made, with the same cour-
age that we have faced every emer-
gency since our organization as party
more than forty years ago. Govern
ment by law must first be assured. ev-
erything else can wait. The spirit Of
lawlessness must be extfnguisheo oy
the fires of an unselfish and lofty patri-
otism. Every attack upon the public
faith and every suggestion OF the re-
pudiation Of debts, public or private,
must be rebuked by all men who believe
that honesty Is the best policy, or who
love their country and would preserve
unsullied our national honor.
SECTIONALISM ALMOST OBLITER-
ATED.
The country is to be congratulated
upon the almost total obliteration of
sectionalism which for many years
marked the division of the United
States in slave and free territory and
finally threatened its partition into two
separate governments by the dread or
daQ1 0f civil no ORG nf
alton, SO long and earnestly desired by
General Grant and many other great
leaders, North and South, has happily
come, and the feeling of distrust and
hostility between the sections is every
where vanishing, let us hope never to
return. Nothing Is better calculated to
give strength to the national wealth,
increase our power and influence abroad
and add to the permanency and secu-
rity OF our free institutions than the
restoration of cordial relations between
the people Of all sections and parts Of
our beloved country.
If called by the suffrages of the peo-
pie to assume the duties of the high
Office Of President of the United States
shall count 1t privilege, even in the
slightest degree, to increase the spirit
OF fraternal regard which should ami
mate and govern the citizens of every
section, State or part Of the Republic.
After the lapse Of century since its
utterance, let us. at length and forever
hereafter, heed the admonition of
North. no South. no East, no West, but
common country" It shall be my
constant aim to improve every oppor-
tunity to advance the cause of good
government by promoting that spirit OF
forbsarance and Justice which Is SO es-