Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-09-15

We should receive none who come to make
war upon our institutions and profit by
public disquiet and turmoil. Against all
such our gates must be tightly closed.
Justice to Old Soldiers md Sailors.
1.-The soldiers and sailors Of the Union
should neither be neglected nor forgotten.
The government which they served so well
must not make their lives or conditions
harder by treating them al suppliants fov
relief In old age or distress. nor regard
with disdain or contempt the earnest IN
terest one comrade naturally manitests In
the welfare Of another. Doubtless. there
has been abuses and frauds in the numer-
Gus 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 wrong per-
petrated 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 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 aslf-
sacrificing men who are justly entitled to
generous aid in their increasing neceisities.
| Our Merchant Marine and Navy.
'"The declaration of the Republican
platform in favor OF the up-building OF
our merchant marine has my hearty APP
proval. 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 is fully attained.
We should no longer contribute directly or
indirectly to the maintenance OF the colos-
sal marine of foreign countries, but pro-
LTD AAl az .artn nj
our own. Now that the American navy
is assuming position commensurate with
our Importance as a nation, policy
am glad to observe the Republican platform
strongly endorses, we must supplement 1t
with merchant marine that will give
US the advantages in both our coastwise
and foreign trade that We ought naturally
and properly to enjoy. 1t should be at
once a matter Of public policy and national
pride to repossess this immense and pros
porous trade.
Civil Service Reform.
1.-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 the past twenty-four
years, and will be faithfully observed. Our
opponents decry the reforms. They ap-
gained, after so many years agitation and
effort. They encourage return to
methods of party favoritism which both
parties have often denounced, that ex-
perience has condemned, and that the
people repeatedly disapproved. The Re-
publican party earnestly opposes this re-
action and entirely unjustifiable policy. IL
will take no backward step upon this ques-
tion. 1t will seek to improve, but never
degrade the public service.
Appeal to Patriotism OF the People.
There are other important and timely
declarations in the platform which can
not here discuss. ] must content myself
with saying that they have my approval
} II, as Republicans, We have lately adj
dressed 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 Is SO
grave as to demand especial consideration.
and because we are convinced that IL the
| people are aroused to the true understand
ing and meaning of this silver imitation
movement they will avert the danger. In
doing this, we feel that we render the best
. service possible to the country, and we APP
peal to the intelligence, conscience and
patriotism Of the people, irrespective OF
party, or section, for their earnest sup
port.
1t VIII Maintain Law and order.
I'VE avoid no issues. We meet the sud-
, den dangerous and revolutionary assault
, upon law and order, and upon those to
whom Is confded by the constitution and
, laws the authority to uphold and maintain
, them, which our opponents have made.
: with the same courage that we have faced
, every emergency since our organization as
, q party, more than forty years ago. Gov
eminent by law must first be assured;
everything else can wait. The spirit Of
lawlessness must be extinguished by the
fires of an unselfish and lofty patriotism.
: Every attack upon the public faith and
, every suggestion Of the Reputation 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.
sectfonalism Almost Obliterated.
. "The country is to be congratulated upon
Q the almost total obliteration Of sectional
lines which for many years marked the
0 division of the United States into slave
. and free territory, and finally threatened
9 its partition into two separate govern
4 ments by the dread ordeal Of civil war.
The era OF reconciliation. so long and
!. earnestly desired by Gen. Grant and many
: other grea. leaders, North and South. has
I happily come, and the feeling OF distrust
u and hostility between the sections is ev-
Q erywhere vanishing. let us nope never to
e return. Nothing is better calculated to
! give strength to the nation at home, in
u crease our power and influence abroad,
! and add to the permanency and security
; of our free institutions. man the restora-
. ton Of cordial relations between the peo-
pie of all sections and parts of our beloved
: country. II called by the suffrages of the
d people to assume tho duties Of the high
!, office of president of the United States,
= shall count II privilege to az wen
in the slightest degree. in the promotion
of the spirit Of fraterna. rePara which
: should animate and govern lie citizens
;, Of every section, state. or part Of the re-
:, public. After the lapse Of a century since
, it's utterance. let US at length and for
|, | ever hereafter heed the admoniton OF
: | Washington: There should be no North.
. no South, no East. no West. hl: 'Dramon
. country
: 1T 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 es-
. sential to our prosperity and happii ,ss by
: joining most heartily In all proper ,fforts
!, to restore the relations of brotherly ispect
= and affection which in our early History
. characterized all the people of all the ,ates.