The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-03-11

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} trial given this legislation amply justifes
!, further experiment. and additional discretion
airy power in the making of commercial treaties
the end in view always to be the opening up {
new markets for the products of our country
by granting concessions to the products q
other lands that We need and cannot produc
ourselves, and which do not involve any loss Q
their employment.
The depression of the past four years ha
fallen with especial severity upon the grea
body of toilers of the country, and upon non
more than the holders of small farms. Agri
culture has languished and labor suffered. Tn
revival of manufacturing will be a relief t,
both. No portion of orr population is more
devoted to the institutions of free Government
nor more loyal in their support, while none
bears more cheerfullv or fully its proper share
| in the maintenance of the Government or j
| better entitled to its wise and liberal care and
protection. Legislation helpful to producers ii
beneficial to all. The depressed condition o.
industry on the farm and in the mine and
factory has lessened the ability of the people
to meet the demands upon them, and they
rightfully expect that not only 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 not the most promis.
| ing 1t will take time to restore the pros
] perity of former years. II we cannot
promptly attain it, can resolutely turn oul
faces in that direction and aid its return by
friendly legislation. However troublesome
the situation may appear, Congress will not,
| am sure, be found lacking in disposition OK
ability to relieve it, far as legislation can dc
so. The restoration of confidence and the
| revival of business, which men of all parties
| SO much desire, depend more largely upon the
Ill. mt. III
Congress than upon any other single agency
affecting the situation.
EQUALITY OF RIGHTS.
It is inspiring, too to remember that no
great emergency in the 10S years of our event.
| full National life has ever arisen that has not
been met with wisdom aud courage by the
American people, with fidelity to their best in
| terests and highest destiny, and to the honor
| of the American name. These years of glorious
history have exalted mankind and advanced
the cause of freedom throughout the world,
and immeasurably strengthened the precious
free institutions which we enjoy. The people
love and will support these institutions. The
great essential to our happiness and prosperity
is that we adhere to the principles upon which
the Government was established, and insist
upon their faithful observance. Equality of
rights must prevail, and our laws be always
aud everywhere respected and obeyed. We
may have failed in the discharge of our full
duty as citizens of the great Republic. but it is
consoling and encouraging to realize that
free speech, a free press, free thought, free
schools the free and unmolested right Of re-
ligous liberty and worship, and free and fair
elections are dearer and more universally en-
joyed to-day than ever before. These guaran-
tees must be sacredly preserved and wisely
strengthened. The constituted authorities
must be cheerfully and vigorously upheld.
+ fv,<xc hot <ol arA
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 administration of justice must
continue forever the rock of safety upon which
our Government securely rests.
OPPOSITION TO TRUSTS.
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-respecting aud
law-abiding people, not easily swerved from
the path of patriotism and honor. This is in
entire accord with the genius of our institu.
tions, and but emphasizes the advantages of
intoxicating even q greater love for law and
order in the future Immunity should be
granted to none who violate the laws whether
individuals, corporations, or communities and,
as the Constitution imposes upon the President
the duty of both its own execution and of the
/ 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 combinations of capital or
ganized in trusts. otherwise, to control arbi-
trarily the condition of trade among our citi.
zens." and it has supported "such legislation
will prevent the execution of all schemes to
Cypress the people by undue charges on their
supplies. or by unjust rates for the Transports
ton of their products to market" This pur-
pose will be steadily pursued, both by the en-
forcemeBt of the laws now in existence and
the recommendation and support of such new
statutes as may be necessary to carry it into
effect.
Our naturalization and immigration laws
should be further improved to the constant
promotion Of safer. better, and higher
citizenship. grave peril to the Republic
would be citizenship too ignorant to under
stand or too vicious TO appreciate the great
value and benefcence OF our institutions and
laws, and against ali who come here to make
war upon them our gates must be promptly
and tightly closed. Nor must we be unmind.
full of the need of improvement among our own
citizens, but with the zeal of our forefathers
encourage the spread of knowledge and free
education. llliteracy must be banished from
the land if we shall attain that high destiny
as the foremost of the enlightened nations of
the world, which under Providence we ought
to achieve.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Reforms in the civil service must 20 on. but
the changes should be real and genune-not
periunctory 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 its enforcement 10 the spirit in which
it was enacted. The purpose in view was to
secure the most efficient service OF the best
men who would accept appoint ment under the
Government, retaining faithful and devoted
public servants in Office, but shielding none
under the authority Of any rule or custom who
inefficient incompetent, or unworthy
The best interests OF the country demand this
and the people heartily approve the law where
ever and whenever il has been thus admins
tered.
Congress should give prompt attention to the
restoration of our American merchant marine,
once the pride of the seas in all the great ocean
highways of commerce. To my mind few more
important subjects SO imperativey demand its
intelligent consideration. The United States
has progressed with marvellous rapdity in
every field of enterprise and endeavor until
we have become foremost in nearly all the great
lines of inland trade. commerce. and industry.
YET, while this is true, our American merchant
marine has been steadily declining until it is
now lower, both in the percentage of tonnage aud
the number 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 supple.
ment these efforts by providing as q proper
consort for 1t a merchant marine amply sufYi.