Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-09-03
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF ACCEPTANCE.


out loss TO fhe American labcrer OF n single
days work that he might otherwise procure.
Foreign Immigration. tsit
The declaration OF the platform touching
foreign immiSra tLou, Is one sof peculiar I'm
portance at this time, when our own laboring
people are In such great distress. ] am In
hearty sympathy with the present legisla-
ton restraining foreign immlgfatIon and favor
the United States from Invasion by the de-
based ana criminal classes OF the old world.
while We adhere to the public policy under
which our .country has received great bodies
OF honesr,indYstrlous citizens, who have add.
ed to the wealth. progress and power OF the
country. and while we welcome to our shores
the well-disposed and Industrious immigrant
who contributes by his energy and intelli-
gence 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 civil
ains ana VINO f DO not sympathixe with our
ceive none who come TO make war upon our
institutions and profit by public disquiet and
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 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 so web
must not make their lives or condition hard
er by treating them as suppliants for re-
lief In old age or distress, nor regard with
disdaln or contempt the earnest Interest
one comrade naturally manifests in the well
fare Of another. Doubtless there have been
pension abuses and frauds In the numerous
claims allowed by the Government. but the
policy governing the administration OF the
Pension Bureau must always be fair and
liberal. No deserving applicant should ever
suffer because of n wrong pepetrated, by or
for 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 great
nat al
them lnctheir need as~In their service with
the respect and gratitude due, 70 brave. noble
and self-sacrihclhg men who Are Justly en-
titled to generous aid In their increasing ne
cessities. Ire tf.t y +,
Merchant Marine aud Navy.
The decla ration of the Republican platform
In favor OF the upbulding Of our merchant
marine has my hearty approval, The policy
OF discriminating duties In favor OF our
shipping which prevailed In the early years
adopted by Congress and vigorously support
ed until our prestige and supremacy on the
seas Is fully attained. We should no longer
contribute directly or Indirectly TO the main
tenance Of the colossal marine of foreign
countries. but provide an efficient and COM
plete marine Of our own. Now that the Amer
lean navy Is assuming portion commensur-
ate with our Importance as a nation. a policy
am glad to observe the Republican plat
form strongly indorses. we must supplement
1t with merchant marine that will give MS
the advantages In both our coastwise and
foreign trade that we ought naturally and
properly TO enjoy. 1t should at once be
matter OF public policy and national pride to
repossess this Immense and prosperous
trade. tf ~fs
Civil Service Reform
The pledge OF the Republican National Con-
yention that our civil laws .'shal be sus-
tanned and thoroughly and honestly enforced.
and extended wherever practicable" Is In
keeping with the position OF the party for
the DnSt twent v -fOur and Will he faith
fully observed Our opponents decry these
reforms. They appear willing to abandon
all the advantages gained, after so many
years agitation and effort. sThey encourage
a return to methods Of party favroltlsm,
which both parties have often denounced.
that experience has condemned. and that the
people, have repeatedly disapproyed. The
Republican party earnestly opposes this re-
dictionary and entirely unjustlfiable policy.
1t will take no backward step upon, this
question. 1t will seek to improve, but never
degrade the pnblic service.y tet..sr.. 81
Returns to Money Question.
There are other important and timely dec
laratfOhs 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 what may seem great stress
and earnestness to the new and unexpected
assault upon the financial integrity of the
Government. we have done Ii because the
menace IL 80 grave as to demand especial
consideration. and because we are convinced
that II the people are aroused to the true
understanding and meaning of this silver
and imitation movement. they will avert the
danger. In doing this we feel that we rem
der the best service possible to the country,
and we appeal to the intelligence conscience
and patriotism of the people. irrespective Of
party, or section, for their earnest support.
We avoid no issues. We meet the sudden,
dangerous and revolutionary assault upon
law and order. and upon those to whom Is
confded by the Constitution and laws the
no. 20 ,1e..I1 tx.Nn
which our opponents have made. with the
same courage that we have faced every
emergency since our organization as party,
more than forty years ago. Government by
law must first be assured: everything else
Gun walt The spirit OF lawlessness must 6e
eXtingulshed by the fires Of an unselfish and
lofty patriotism. Every attack upon the
ppSdiation 3fSdebts. public or private, must
be- rebhked by all men who believe that hon
esty is the best policy, or who love their
country and would preserve unsullied Its
national honor.
Almost Cb,itcrated.
The country is to be congratulated upon
the almost total obllteration Of the sectional
lines which for many years marked the divi-
sion of the United States into slave and free
territory. and finally threatened Its parti-
tion Into two separate governments by the
dread ordeal Of civil war. The era of recon-
Citation, SO long and earnestly desired by
General Grant and other great leaders, North
ana south, HAS ndDplly cOue, anu tne ICcllD2
of dstrust and hostility between the sec
tons Is everywhere vanishing, let us hope
never to return. Nothing Is better calculated
to give strength to the nation at home, In
crease our power and influence abroad. and
add to the permanency and security OF our
free institutions than the restoration OF cor
dial relations between the people OF all sec
lions and parts Of our beloved country. IL
called by the suffrages Of the people 10 as
sumo the duties Of the high office Of Presi-
dent of the United States ! shall count 1t
privilege to aid, even In the slightest de-
gree I'm the promotion of the spirit OF frnter-
nal regard which should animate and govern
the citizens OF every section. State or part Of
the republic. After the lapse Of "A century
since its utterance. let us, at length. and for
ever hereafter. heed the admonition OF Wash
ington, .There should be no North, no
south, no East, 10 West-but common
country" Ii shall be my constant aim to
improve every opportunity TO advance the
cause of good government BY promoting that
spirit of forbearance and Justice which Is
so essential to our prosperity and happiness
by Joining most heartily In all proper efforts
to restore the relations OF brotherly respect
and affection which In our early history char
acter.Zed all the people Of all the States. l
would be glad to contribute toward binding
In indivisible union the different divisions
OF the country, which. indeed. now "have ev-
cry inducement OF sympathy and interest
to weld them together more strongly Than
ever. 1 would rejoice to see demonstrated
to the world that the North and the South
n nd the East and the West are not separated,
or In danger of becoming separated, be-
cause of sectional or party differences. The
was is long since over: 1--WE are not enemies
but friends" and as friends we will faith
fully and cordially cooperate. under the APP
proving smile of him who has thus far so
signally sustained and guided ,us to pre-
serve Inv ioate our country's name ana hon.
3f. Its peace lind good order. and It's con-
tinued ascehdehcy hmong the greatest gov
ernments on earth.
WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Bryan on Free Raw Meteris,.