San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-07-13

great American Congress. This coun-
try and the Republican party, are suf-
fering more today as the result OF bad
Legislation, or the want of good legis-
lation upon this subject, than from any
other affliction. We have always boas-
ted to the freedom of this country; that
our gates are wide open to the OPP
pressed of all nations of the earth:
but we want to keep that freedom so
limited that our shores will be forever
an attraction to the best citizenship of
every section and of every cline.
THE Republican party will take no
backward steps as to civil service re-
form. 1t has repeatedly declared in
favor of it. But it is opposed to that
civil service reform which would
thrust upon the people of this coun-
try without fair competitive test a
colony of incompetent Democratic Of
fice-holders. The mere fact thata man
who fills an office is a Democrat 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 promises,
will present to the people the Dingley
| thrift law; a law that will take the
place upon the statue books of the
infamous Wilson bill, that contribute
$50 largely to our country's distress: a
law that will provide revenues suffi-
cient to pay the expenditures of the
government; law that will displace
European labor with American labor;a
law that woill bring cheer and sunshine
into our humblest homes; law that
will put new life into the veins and
| arteries of trade and commerce.
Then Democrats and Popocrats will
have lost their shibboleth for our all
sufficient currency will come from its
hiding, and go on its mission of good
will toward men,
"Our policy will continue to be to
preserve our home markets, and then,
as far as possible, capture the markets
of other countries, where our products
are in demand. In this connection,
let me ask you, why should we supply
the markets of the central and south
American states. Why should we not
successfully compete in that section
/ with Great Britain and the countries
of Europe. Under a Republican policy
we will. First, we will establish reci-
procity, the doctrine of James G..
Blaine. Then, send able consuls in
to all those republics. Induce our
Heading manufacturers and merchants
to send their personal representatives
that they might asst in opening up
to us an output for the overproduction
of our soil, and our labor. To trans
port these products, If necessary, we
can substitute American ships, to be
manned by American sailors, carrying
the stars and stripes into every port
of the western world.
While the Republican party has ev-
er favored protection to American in
dustries and American homes, it is al
so in favor of protection to human life
land liberty. In keeping with this pol
icy, it will guarantee that all liberty
loving people of the isle of Cuba may
rest securely in the, shadow of our
lcountry's flag. Be it said to the glory
of the American republic that her cit
liens, since the advent of Republican
administration, are better protected
and are safer in life and property on
the isle of Cuba, than are the subjects
of Spain herself. How could our peo-
lple 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 Spanish
history. Better, indeed, for our coun-
try that it should ally itself with the
lhumblest government on earth than
that it should be unconcerned about
the barbarities of the other nations
however exalted.
Gentlemen Of this convention and
friends of the league, 1 cannot bring
my address to a close without return
ling my thanks for the very distinguish
ed honor that / have received from
this organization, and for the cordial
Support that has been given me- by the
League Republicans throughout the
union. The league cannot do me
crater honor than it has already done.
At this convention 1 surrender the af-
fairs of this office, with the firm con-
viction that there are number of
splendid league workers throughout
/ the states, who, in the order which you
might designate, are entitled to this
| preferment. 1 want, now and here,
to pledge to the league, and to my sue
cessors in office, my unqualified sup
port through all the years to come. 1
believe in the league. l believe in it's
future. / believe it is better qualified
than any ohtre power to maintain in
our party that vitality and that organ
ization which are SO essential to its
continued success. Let us stand true
to our colors. Let us make for the
league a high place in American poll
tics, by deserving it. Let us brush
aside every element that detracts from
us, and give no man power or place
in our league, state or national, who is
not of high character and good stand
ing at home. Let us put to the front
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