The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-14


1896 adds enduring laurels TO the cause
of club organization throughout the
United States.
WHAT M'KINLEY HAS DONE.
The question Is often asked by our
political adversaries, What has Presi-
dent Mckinley done?" We answer that
he has unfurled the Stars and Stripes
upon the island of Hawaii. BY that act
he will reclaim our country's territory
and our nations honor. He has gone into
the Southland, and taught the gospel
of enduring peace and Christian fellow
ship He has rebuked the pessimist and
in the place of his discordant wall of
despair. has proclaimed the joyous mes
sage of brighter days and better times.
He has made 1t possible to pass Re-
publican tariff law when his party was
in the minority, which, indeed, is an
accomplishment almost unknown in
American politics. He has done even
more. He has taught our people that our
president Is one of us, and for us. That
there should be no insurmountable wall
between our chief ruler and his sub
Jects, and il may he said that each Of
fetal act of our new president brings
him in closer touch with the American
people, who have learned to admire and
love him.
COMING CONTESTS.
The contest of 1897 is already upon us.
In various states the conventions of both
parties have assembled, nominated their
candidates, adopted their platforms, and
the people are again asked to give voice
to their preferences. The Democratic
party adheres to the Chicago platform.
1t has learned nothing. 1t forgets moth
ing. The platform Is as bad If possible,
as the party which adopted it. 1t does
not APPEAL to the patriotism of the
American people. A Democrat is never
hun uyh ha he hp iS mis-
cradle: never SO exuberant as when re-
counting the misfortunes of others The
Republican party reaffrms the st. Louis
platform. wherein 1t declared for honest
money, protective tariff and reciproc-
ity. The old issues are again before us
Democrats hope to win because of diff
ference among Republicans; because as
they say, prosperity has not yet arrived,
and l believe that our countrymen are
impressed with the fact that better times
are upor us. and thai in due season, the
prophecies of Republican leaders will be
realized.
But our party must be awake to the
situation. The wants of our people are
few, but they are imperative. They will
trust us as long as we keep faith with
them. They have a right to expect good
things. They have right to believe that
we will speedily change our immgra-
tion laws. Our present congress could
not render a more patriotic service than
to give attention to this importan: ques-
utn. That statesman who vigorously
raises his voice in favor of protection
against the pauper labor of Europe, and
sits quietly by and sees those same la
borers come upon our shores and drive
our worklnen from shop and factory,
does not, in my judgment, measure up to
his duties as a member of the great
American congress. This country. and
the Republican party, are suffering more
today as the result of bad legislation, or
the want of good legislation upon this
subject, than from any other attiiction.
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 citi-
zenship of every section and of every
cline.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The Republicon party will take no back
ward steps as to civil service reform. Ii
has repeatedly declared in favor of it.
But 1t is opposed to that civil service re-
form which would thrust upon the peopl;
of this country without fair competitive
test colony of incompet snI Democratic
office holders The mere fac. tha, a mar
who fills an office Is a Democrat is prima
face 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 tariff
law; a law that will take the place upor
the statute books of the infamous Wilson
bill, that contributed so largely to oul
country's distress; a law that will provide
revenues sufficient to p2y the cXpend
lures OF the government; law that vii
displace European labor with American
labor; law that will bring cheer and sun
shine into our humbles. homes; a Law
that will put new life into the veins anC
arteries of trade and commerce. Thei
Democrats and Popocrats will have los
their shibboleth, for our all sufficient cur
rency will come from its hiding, and g
out on its mission of good will towart
men,"
Our policy viii. continue to be to pre-
serve our homo markets, and then, as ia
as possible, capture the markets of othe
countries, where our products are in de
mand. In this connection, let me ask
why should We not supply the market
of the Central and South American
states? Why should We not successfuE,
compete in that section with Great Brit
ain and the countries of Europe? Undo
Republican policy we will First, W
will establish reciprocity, the doctrine o
James G.. Blaine. Then, senj able con
suls into all those republiC3. Induce GU
leading manufacturers and merchants I
send their personal representatives tina
they might assist in opening up to US a
output for the overproducton of our sol
and our labor. To transport these prod
ucts, IL necessary, we can subsidize Amer
ican ships, to he manned by American
sailors carrying the Stars and Stripe
into every port of the western world.
CUBA.
While the Republican party has eve
hean in favor Of uTOtpCtiOn IN AD1aripa
industries and American homes. it is ais
in favor OF protection to human life an
liberty. In keeping with this policy,
will guarantee that all liberty-loving pee
pie OF the isle of Cuba may rest seCurel
in the shadow of our country's flag. b
it said to the glory of the American re
public that her citizens, since the adver
of Republican administration, are bette
protected and are safer in life and proy
erty on the isle of Cuba, thaa are III
subjects of Spain herself. How could OF
people espouse The cause of Spain? The
very natures revolt when they recall III
barbarous Conquest of Mexico" whiC
is simply link in the chain of atrocitiC
that makes up Spanish history. Bette
indeed, for our country that 1t shou
ally itself with the humblest gCvernmel
on earth than that 1t should be unco'
cerned about the barbarities Of the oth'
nations, however exalted.
IN CONCLUSION.
Gentlemen of this convention al
friends OF the league, l cannot bring n
address to close without returning n
thanks for the very distinguished hon
that l have received from this organic
tion, and for the cordial support that hi
been given me by the league Republican
throughout the union. The league ca
not do me greater honor than 1t has a
ready done. At this convention L su
render the affairs Of this office, with Il
firm conviction that there are a numb
OF splendid league workers througho
the staIes. who In the order which "