The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-03-05

- S'o WV VI elIo peOpie-" Po"et 'SSt-
| iy more potential than the expression of
any political platform. The paramount
duty oil Congress is 30 stop deficiencies
by the restoration of that protective
legislation which has always been the
firmest prop of the treasury. The pas
sage OF such II law or laws would
strengthen the credit of the Government
both ut home and abroad and go far
towards stopping the drain upon the gold
reserve held for the redemption of our
currency, which has been heavy and we'll
nigh constant for several years.
In the revision of the tariff especial at
tention should he given to the enact.
ment and extension of the reciprocity
principle of the law of 1890, under which
so great II stimulus was given to our
foreign trade III new and advantageous
markets for our surplus agricultural and
manufactured products. The brief trial
given this legislation amply justified
further experiment with\full power in the
making of commercial treaties the end
in view always to be the opening up of
new markets for the products of our
country by granting concessions to the
products of other lands that we need and
can not Produce ourselves, and which do
not involve any loss of labor to our own
people, but tend to increase their en-
ployment.
The depression for the past four years
has fallen especially severely upon the
great body of toilers of the country and
upon none more than the holders of
small farms. Agriculture has langushed
anu labor suffered. The revival of manu-
featuring will be n relief to both. No
portion of our population is more devoted
to the institutions of free Government
nor more loyal to their support. while
none bears more chcerfully or fully it's
proper share in the maintenance of the
Government, or is better entitled to it's
wise and liberal care and protection.
Legislation helpful to producers is bene
fetal To all. The depressed condition of
industry on the farm ami in the mine and
factory has lessencd the ability of the
people to meet the demands upon them,
ana they riShtfully expect that not only
II system of revenue shall be established
that will secure 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 rot the most
promising. 1t will take time to restore
the prosperity of former years If we
Cannot promptly attain it we can resp
lutely turn our faces in that direction
and aid its return by friendly legislation
However troublesome the situation NAV
appear, Congress will not | am sure lie
iolnd lacking in disposition or ability TO
relieve 1t as far rs legislation can do so.
The restoration of confidence and the re-
vival OF business which men of all parties
so much desire depend more largely
upon the prompt, energetic and intelli-
gent action of Congress than upon ans
other single agency affecting the sit,ll.
ton.
IL. tne, hi,
no great emergency in the one hundred
and eight years of our eventful lite has
ever arisen that has not been met with
wisdom and courage by the American
people. with fidelity to their best interests
aud highest deStinies and the honor of
the American name. These wears of
glorious history have exalted mankind
and advanced the cause of freedom
throughout the world and immensur:bly
strengthened the precious free nstitli
lions which we enjoy. The people love
and will sustain these institutions. The
great essential to our happiness and pros.
pcrity Is that we adhere to the principles
upon which the Government was estab.
hshed and insist upon their faithful ohser.
vance. Equality of rights must prevail
and our laws be always and everywhere
respected and Obeyed. We may have fail
eel in the discharge of our full duty dis
CITIZENS OF the great republic, but it is
consollnS and encouraging to realize that
free speech, free press, free thought,
free schools and the free and unmolested
right of religious liberty and Worship and
free and fair elections are dparcr and
more universally enjoyed to-day than
ever before. These guarantees must he
sacredly preserved and wisely strength
ened. The constituted authorities must
he checrfully and vigorously upheld.
Lynchings must not be tolerated i'm a
great and civilized country like the
United States; courts-not mobs must
execute the penalties of the law The
preservation Of public order, the right of
discussion. the integrity of courts, and
the orderly administration of Justice
must continue forever the rock of safety
upon which the Government securely
rests.
One of the results of the late election
in which we rejoice is that the citizens of
the United States are both law respect
ing and law abiding people, not easily
swerved from the part Of patriotism and
honor. This accord with the genius of
DIR Institutions but emphasizes the nd.
vantages of intoxicating even more honor
Tor the future. Immunity should be
granted to no one who violates the laws,
whether individuals, corporations or
communities, and as the constitution i'm
poses upon the President the duty of both
It's own execution and of the statutes en-
acted III pursuance of its provisions, I
shall endeavor carefully to carry them
into effect. The declaration of the party
now restored to power has been in the
past that OF opposition to all combina.
lions of capita! organized in trusts or
elsewhere to control arbitrarily the con-
dltion OF trade among our citizens ard
1T has supported ''such legislation ms
Will prevent the execution of all schemes
to Cypress the people by undue charges
on their supplies or by unjust rates for