Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-03-05

consollng and encouraging to rca iize ~
free speech. free press, free Thought
free schools. the free and umolestef1 ~ -,
of religious liberty and Worship and freq
and fair elections are learer and mora
universally. enjoyed today than ever be !.
fore. These guarantees must be sacradly
preserved and wisely strengthened The
constituted authorities must be cheer
fully and vigorously upheld. Lynchinrs
must not be tolerated In great and civ
ilized country like the United states.
courts, not mobs, must execute the non.
alties of the law. The preservation of
public order the right OF discussions. the
integrity of our courts and the orderly
administration 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 all can rejoice in. ia that
the citizens Of the United States are both
law-respecting and law-abiding people,
not easily swervcd from the path OF IA :
triotism and honor. This Is in entire ac-
cord with the genus Of our institutions.
and but emphasizes the advantages ,of
inculcating even a greater love for ldw
and order in the future. Immunity
should be granted to none who violate
the law, whether individuals. corpora-
lions or communities; and, as the con-
stitution imposes upon the president the
duties OF both its own execution and or
the statutes enacted in pursuance OF it's
provisions, shall endeavor carefully IN
carry them into effect The declaration
of the party now restored to power has
been, in the past, that of Opposition to
I'll combinations of capital organized I'm
trusts. or otherwise to control. arbi-
trarily, the condition of trade among our
citizens" and it has supported "such
legislation as viii prevent the execution
of all schemes Ia Cypress the people by
undue charges on their supplies, or BY
unjust rates for the transportation OF
their products to market" This pur.
pose will be steadily pursued, both by
the enforcement of the laws now in ex
istence and the Recommendation ant
support of such new statutes as may b
necessary to carry It into effect.
Our naturalization and immigration
laws should be further improved. to tn.
constant promotion of a safer. bette
and higher citizenship. A grave peri
to the republic would be a citizenshi,
too ignorant to understand or too vicious
TO appreciate the great value and bene
ficence of our institutions and laws
and against all who come here to max,
war upon them our gates must b,
promptly and tightly closed Nor must
We be unmindful of the need of improve
ment among our own citizens, but. Will
the zeal of our forefathers encourage
the spread of knowledge and free edu.
cation. 1llitcracy must be banished from
the land. If we shall attain that high dcs-
tiny as the foremost of the enlightened
nations of the world. which, unde,
Providence, we ought to achieve.
Reforms in the civil service must e.
on. but the changes should be real an6
genuine. not perfunctory or prompted
by zeal in behalf of any party, simply
because it happens to be in power. AS
member of congress. voted and spoke
IN favor of the present law. and / shall
attempt 1t enforcement in the spirit ir
which 1t was enacted. The purpose In
view was To secure the most efficient
service of the best men who would ac-
ccpt appointment under the government.
retaining faithful and devoted public
servants in office, but shielding none un-
der the authority OF any rule or custom
who are inefficient. incompetent or UNI
worthy. The best interests of the coup.
try demand this. and the people heartily
approve the law wherever and when.
ever it has been thus administered.
Congress should give prompt attention
to the restoration of our American mer.
chant marine. once the pride of the sea.
IN all the great ocean highways of com.
merce. To my mind. few more import.
ant subjects so impera lively demand II.
intelligent consideration The United
States has progressed with marvellous
rapidity in every field of enterprise and
endeavor, until we have become fore
most in nearly all the great lines of in.
land trade. commerce and industry
Yet, while this is true. our American
merchant marine has been steadily de.
Ginning, Unit! it is now lower. both In
the percentage of tonnage and the num-
Der of vessels employed, than it was
prior to the civil war. Commendable
progress has been made of late years in
the upbuilding of the American navy,
but we must supplement these efforts
by providing. as proper consort for it.
merchant marine amply sufficient foi
our own carrying trade TO foreign coun.
tries. The question is one that appeals
both to our business necessities and
the patriotic aspirations of n great peo-
pie.
1t has been the policy of the United
States, since the foundation of the gov
eminent, TO cultivate relations of peace
and amity with all the nations of the
world. and this accords with my con.
ception OF our duty now We have
cherished the policy of non-interfernce
with the affairs of foreigV governments
wisely inaugurated by\ Washington
keeping ourselves free from entangle-
ment, either as allies or foes, content tc
leave undisturbed with them the settle.
ment of their own domestic concerns. I'll
VIII be our aim to pursue firm and dig
nified foreign policy, which shall be just
ever watchful of our national
honor and always insisting upon the en-.
forcement of the lawful rights of Ameri-
can citizens everywhere. Our diploma.
cy should seek nothing more, and accept
nothing less, than is due us. We want
no wars of conquest: we must avoid the
temptation of territorial aggression
War should never be entered upon until
every agency of peace has failed; peace
is preferable to war in almost every con.