Birmingham state herald., 1897-03-05


 tial than the expression of any political platform
 THE PARAMOUNT DUTY OF CON- GRESS
 is to stop deficiencies by the restora ton of that protective legislation which has always been >- 9rmest prop of the treas would strep An the tn Scp credit of" of the he @ govs ernment, " at home and abroad. and go far toy = s stopping the drain upon the gold .S rye held for the redemption of the 2 . .ncy which has been heavy and we1 z yh constant for several years In th JS svision of the tariff, especial attent Y should be given to the re-en- aetmf $ md extension of the reciprocity prinS of the law of 1890, under which so a stimulus was given to our for !!ei trade in new and advantageous mf .S IS for our surplus agricultural and manufactured products. The brief trial given this legislation amply justifies further experiment and additional dis cretionary power in the making of com mercial treaties, the end In view always to be the opening up of new markets | for the products of our country, by grant ing concessions to the products of other l lands that we need and cannot produce ourselves and which do not involve any | loss of labor to our own people, but tend | to increase their employment.
 The depression for the past four years | has fallen with special severity upon the great DOuy Ol IOlltTS Ol l0e country ana upon none more than the holders of small | farms. Agriculture has languished and | labor suffered. The revival of manufac- | turing will be a relief to both. No DOT ] tion of our population is more devoted to i the institutions of free government nor l more loyal to their support while none | bear more cheerfully or fully its proper 1 share in the maintenance of the govern 1 ment or is better entitled to its wise andl liberal care and protection. Legislation 1C1Tz zFgIt 1ss.. tr Cote oil The depressed condition of industry on the farm and in the mine and factory has lessened the ability of the people to meet the demands upon them and they right fully expect that not only systm of revenue shall be established that will se- cure the largest income with the least burden, but that every means will be taken to decrease rather than increase our public expenditures.
 BUSINESS CONDITIONS are mot the most promising. It will take time to restore the prosperity of former years. If we cannot promptly attain 1t we can resolutely turn our faces In that direction and aid its return for friendly legislation. However troublesome the situation may appear congress will not, I am sure, be found lacking in disposi- ton or ability to relieve 1t as far as leg islation can do. The restoration of con- fdence and the revival of business which men of all parties so much desire ueDeDu more 1dIB6ly upon Ine energetic and intelligent action of con gresS than upon any other single agency affecting the situation. It is inspiring, too to remember that no great emer- gency fin the one hundred and eight years of our eventful national life has ever risen that has not been met with wis dom and courage by the American people with fidelity to their best interest and highest destiny and to the honor of the American name These years of glorious history have exalted mankind and ad- vanced the cause of freedom throughout the world and immeasureably strength ened to the precious free institutions which we enjoy The people love and will sustain these institutions. The great essential to our happiness and prosperity is that we adhere to the principles upon which the government was established and insist upon their faithful observance. Equality of rights must prevail and our laws be always and everywhere respected and obeyed. We may have failed in the discharge of our full duty as citizens of the great republic, but it is consoling and encouraging to realize that free speech, a free press. free thought, schools and un- molested right of religious liberty and worship and free and fair elections are dearer and more universally enjoyed to- day than ever before These guarantees must be sacredly preserved and wisely strengthened. The constituted authori- ties must be cheerfully and vigorously up- held.
 LYNCHINGS
 must not be tolerated in a great and civilized country like the United States; courts, not mobs, must execute Che pen alties of the law. The preservation of public order, the right of discussion, the integrity of the courts and the orderly admlnistra ton of justice must continue forever the rock-of safety upon which our government securely rests. One of the lessons taught by the late election, which we all can rejoice in, is that tho citizens of the United States are both law-respecting and abiding people. not easily swerved from the path of patriot ism and honor This is in entire accord with the genius of our institutions and but emphasizes the advantages of incul- eating even a great love for Immunity should be granted to none who violate the laws. whether in dividuals, corporations or communities, and as the constitution imposes upon the president the duty of both its own exe- cution and of the statutes enacted in pursuance of its provisions, shall en- deavor carefully to carry them into ef- feet.
 OPPOSED TO TRUSTS.
 The declaration of the party now re- stored to power has been in the past that of "opposition to all combinations of capital organized in trusts or elsewhere, to control arbitrarily the condition of trade among our citizens" and 1t has suppressed "such legislation as will pre- vent the execution of all schemes to op- press the people by undue charges on their supplies or by unjust rates for the trans portation of their products to market" This purpose will be steadily pursued both by the enforcement of the laws now in existence and the recommendation and support of such new statutes as may be necessary to carry 1t into effect. Our naturalization and immigration laws should be further improved to the con- stant promotion of a safer, better and higher citizenship. A grave peril to the republic would be a citizenship too ig- norant to understand or too vicious to appreciate the great value and benefi- cence of our institutions and laws and against all who come here to make war upon them our gates must be promptly and tightly closed, nor must we be un- mindful of the need of improvement among our own citizens, but with the zeal of our forefathers encourage the spread of Knowledge and free education. Hit eracy must be banished from the land if Me shall attain that high deStinY as