Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1897-03-13
No. 81

4 energetic, and intelligent action OF
Congress than upon any other single
agency affecting the situation.
1t is inspiring, too, 10 remember
that no great emergency in the IoS
years of our eventful national life has
ever arisen that has not been met
with wisdom and courage by the
American people with fidelity to their
best interests and highest destiny,
and to the honor of the American
name.
| Those years of glorious history have
exalted mankind and advanced the
cause of freedom throughout theworld
and UNNECESSARILY strengthened the
precious, free institutions which we
Eenjoy. The people love and will
sustain these institutions.
The great essential to our happi-
ness and prosperity is that we adhere
to the principles upon which the
Government was established and in
sist 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 dis
charge Of our full duty as citizens OF
the great Republic, but it is consol-
ing and encouraging to realize that
free speech. a free press, free thought.
free schools. the free and unmolested
right Of religious liberty and wor-
ship, free aud fair elections are dear
er and more universally enjoyed to-
day than ever before.
These guarantees must be sacredly
preserved and wisely strengthened.
| The constituted authorities must be
cheerfnlly and vigorously upheld.
Lynching must not be tolerated in
a great and civilized country like the
United States; courts--not mobs---
must execute the penalty Of the law.
The preservation Of public order.
the right Of discussion, the integrity
of courts, and the orderly adninistra-
ton ofjustice must continue forever
the rock, Of safety upon which our
Government securely rests.
i One Of the lessons taught by the
late election, which all can rejoice in,
is that the citizens of the United
States are both law.respccting and
law-abiding people, not easily swerv-
ed from the path of patriotism and
honor. This is in entire accord with
the genius of our institutions, and but
emphasizes the advantages Of incul-
eating even a greater love for law and
order in the future.
Immunity should be granted to
none who violate the laws, whether
individuals, corporations. or COM
munities; and as the Constitution inn
poses upon the President the duty Of
both It's own execution and of the
statutes enacted in pursuance Of its
provisions, shall endeavor carefully
to carry them into effect.
The declaration of the party now re-
stored to power has been in the past
that Of Opposition to all conibina-
tons Of capital organized in trusts, or
otherwise, to control arbitrarily the
condition of trade among our citi-
zens," and it has supported "such
Legislation as will prevent the exc Gu
ton Of all schemes to Cypress the
people by undue charges on their sup
plies or by unjust rates for the trans
portation of their products to mar
ket.'
| This purpose will be steadily pur-
sued, both by the enforcement Of the
laws now in existence and the recon-
mendation and support of such new
statutes as may be necessary to carry
it into effect.
j Our naturalization and immigra-
ton laws should be futher improved
to the constant promotion Of safer,a
better, and a higher citizenship. A
grave peril to the Republic would be
a citizenship. too ignorant to under
stand or too vicious to appreciate the
great value aud benefcence 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 unmindful Of the
need Of improvement among our own
citizens, but with the zeal Of our fore
fathers encourage the spread Of
knowledge and free institutions. II
literacy must be banished from the