The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-08-27

should no longer contribute, directly or
indirectly, to the maintenance of the co.
lossal marlIe of foreign countries, but
provide an efficient and complete marino
of our own.
Now that the American navy Is assum-
ing position commensurate with our
imports as a nation, policy am glad to
observe the Republican platform strongly
indorses, we must supplement it with a
merchant marine that will give us the ad-
vantages in both our coastwise and for
eign trade that we ought naturally and
properly to enjoy. 1t should be at once u
matter OF public policy and national pride
TO repossess this immense and prosperous
trade.
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 posi-
ton of the party for tho past twenty-four
years and will be faithfully observed. Our
opponents dscry these reforms. They
appear willing to abandon all the ad-
vantnges gained after so many years agi-
tation and effort. They encourage re-
turn to methods Of party favoritism which
both parties have often denounced, that
experience has condemned, and that the
people have repeatedly dsapproved. The
Republican party earnestly opposes this
rsactionary and entirely unjustifable
policy. 1t will tako no backward step
upon this question. 1t will seek to i'm
prove, but never degrade the public SER
vice.
1t Demands Especial Attention.
There are other important and timely
declarations in the platform which can
not here discuss l must content myself
with saying that they have my approval
If,as Republicans, we have lately addressed
our attention, with what may seem great
stress and earnestness to the new and I'M
expected assault upon the financial integ-
rity Of our government we have done 1t
because the menace is so grave Us to de-
mand especial consideration, and because
we are convinced that If the people are
aroused to the true understanding and
meaning Of this silver imitation movement,
they will avert the danger. In doing this
we feel that we render tho best service pos
sible 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 sud
den, dangerous and revolutionary assault
upon law and order and upon those to
whom is conlded by the constitution and
laws the authority to uphold and main
tain them which our opponents have
made with the same courage that we have
faced every emergency since our organiza-
ton rs II party, more than forty yearsaSo.
Government by law must first be assured;
everything else Gun wait The spirit OF
luwlessness must be extinguished by the
fires of an unseltlsh and lofty patriotism.
Every attack upon the public faith and
every suggestion Of the repudiation 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 its national
honor.
sectionalism Almost Obilteratcd.
Tho country is to be congratulated upon
the almost total obliteraton of the sec
tional limos, which for many years marked
tho division of the United States into
slave and free territory, and finally threat
ened its partition into two seperate gov
ernments by the dread ordeal Of civil war.
The era of reconciliation, so long and
earnestly desired by General Grant and
many other great leaders, north and
SOUTH has happily come, and the feeling
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 ut home than to in
crease our influence abroad and add to
the permanency and security of our free
institutions, then the restoration of cordial
relations between the people of all sections
and parts Of our beloved country. II called
by the suffrages Of the people to assume
the duties Of the high Office Of president Of
the United States l shall count 1t priv
ilege to aid, even in the slightest degree,
In the promotion of the spirit of fratcrnal
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 ut
terance, lot us at length and forever hcre-
after heed the admoniton Of Washington,
"Therc should be no north, no south, no
east, no west, but common county,
Tho Cause of Good Government.
1t shall be my constant aim to improve
every opportunity to advance the cnusc of
good government by promoting that spirit
of forbearance and justice which Is so es-
sential to our prosperity and happiness
by joining most heartily in all proper ef-
forts to restore the relations OF brotherly
respect and affection which in our early
history characterized all tho people Of all
the states would be glad to contribute
towards binding In invisible union the
different divisions Of the country, which,
indeed, now 'haye every inducoment of
sympathy and interest" to weld them to-
gether more strongly than ever.
would rejoice to see demonstrated to
the world that the north and the south
and the east and the west are not sepa-
ratod or in danger of becoming separated,
because of sectional or party differences.
The war is long since over, I'VE are not
enemies but friends" and as friends we
will faithfully and cordially cooperate,
under the approving smile of Him who
has thus far so signally sustained and
guided us, to preserve inviolnte our coun-
try's namc and honor, Of It's peace and
good order, Of its continued ascendancy
amongst the groatost governments on
earth. WILLIAM MCKINLEY.