The herald., 1897-07-14
and sits quietly by and sees those same


laborers come upon our shores and drive
our workmen from shop and factory,
does not, in my judgment, measure up
to his duties as member of the great
American congress. This country and
the Republican party are suffering more
today as a result of bad legislation, OF
the want of good legislation upon this
subject, than from any other affliction.
We have always boasted of the freedom
| OF this country; that our gates are wide
| open to the oppressed of all nations of
| the earth; but we'want to keep that free
| dom SO limited that our shores will be
| forever an attraction to the best citizen
ship of every nation and of every cline.
The Republican party will take no
| backward steps as to civil service re-
form. 1t has repeatedly declared in ia
vor of 1T. But 1t is opposed to that civil
service reform which would thrust upon
the people of this country without a fair
competitive test colony of incompetent
Democratic officeholders. The mere fact
that man who fills an office is a Demo-
crat is prima facie evidence of the other
fact that an investigation ought to be
made as to his ability to fill it.
Our party, true to its principles, will
present to the people the Dingley tariff
law; a law that will take the place upon
the statute books of the infamous Will
son bill, that contributed so largely to
our country's distress; a law that will
provide revenues sufficient to pay the ex-
penditures Of the government; a law
that will displace European labor with
American labor; Law that will bring
cheer and sunshine into our humblest
homes; law that will put new life into
| the veins and arteries of trade and COM
merce. Then Democrats and Popocrats
will have lost their shibboleth, for our
all-sufficient currency will come from its
hiding and go out on it's mission of Good
will towards men,"
Our policy will continue to be to pre-
serve our home markets and then, as far
as possible, capture the markets of other
countries where our products are in de-
mand. In this connection let me ask why
should we not supply the markets of the
Central and South American states?
Why should we not successfully compete
in that field with Great Britain and the
countries of Europe? Under Repub-
lican policy we will. First, we will re-
establish reciprocity, the doctrine of
James G. Blaine; then send able consuls
into all those republics induce our lead
ing manufacturers and merchants to
send their personal representatives that
they may assist in opening up to us an
output for the productions of our soil
and our labor. To transport these pro-
ducts, if necessary, we can subSidize
American ships, to be manned by Amer
ican sailors. carrying the Stars and
Stripes into every port of the western
Iworld.
While the Republican party has ever
been in favor of protection to American
industries and American homes, it is
also in favor Of protection to human life
and liberty. In keeping with this policy
it will guarantee that all liberty-loving
people of the isle of Cuba may rest Sc
curely in the shadow Of our country 8
flag. Be it said to the glory of the Amer
lean republic that her citizens, since the
advent of Republican administration,
are better protected and are safer in
life and prosperity on the isle of Cuba
than are the subjects Of Sapin herself.
How could our people espouse the cause
of Spain? Their very natures revolt
when they recall the barbarous conquest
of Mexico, which Is simply link in the
chain of atrocities that makes up Span
ish history. Better indeed for our coun-
try that it should ally itself with the
humblest government on earth than
that it should be unconcerned about the
barbarities of other nations, however
exalted.
Gentlemen Of this convention and
friends of the league, cannot bring my
address to close without returning my
thanks for the very distinguished honor
that have received from this organza-
tion, and for the cordial support that
has been given to me by the league Re-
publicans throughout the union. The
league cannot do me greater honor than
it has already done. AT this convention
I surrender the affairs of this office with
the firm conviction that there are a
number of splendid league workers
throughout the states who, in the order
| which you might designate, are entitled
to this preferment. I.want now and here
to pledge to the league and to my sue
ceSsor in office my unqualified support
through all the years to come. be-
lieve in the league. I believe in its flu
ture. I believe it is better qualified than
any other power to maintain in our par
ty that vitality and that organization
| which are so essential to its continued
success. Let us stand true to our COL
ors. Let us make for the league high
place in American politics by deserv-
ing it. Let us brush aside every element
that detracts from US and give to no
man power or place in our league, state
or national, who is not of high charac-
ter and good standing at home. Let us
put to the front in all our affairs those
hustling, aggressive Republicans whose
personality will bring us victory. Being
thus equipped and fortified, our way is
| clear
With confidence in our leaders and
faith in our party principles, we will en-
ter the contests that are before us with
a courage that is undaunted. The Re-
publican party is right upon the great
questions that concern the ma sses of our
people, and being right is sure to win.
Those who have been incredulous will
allow the incredulity to melt away in the
glow of promises that have been faith
fully kept. The marts of trade will as
sumo the busy air Of better times The
merchant will be happy with the in
creasing revenue; the laborer and me-
chanic with higher wages, and, indeed,
all classes and conditions of men will be
lifted up into an atmosphere that
breathes contentment, the very safe
guard of our free institutions. To this
| apd NV friends 1at 1IS POncnorate the