The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-03-05

principles upon which the government
was established and insist upon their
faithful observance. Equality OF rights
must prevail and our laws be always
and everywhere respected and obeyed.
We may have failed in the discharge Of
our full duty as citizens of the great
republic, but II Is consoling and encour-
aging to realize that free speech, a free
press, free thought. free schools. the
free and unmolested right of religious
liberty and worship and free and fair
elections are dearer and more univer-
sally enjoyed today than ever before
These guarantees must be sacredly pre-
served and wisely strengthened. The
constituted authorities must be cheer
fully and vigorously upheld Lynchings
must not be tolerated in a great and
vivilized 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
our government securely rests.
Lesson Taught by Last Election.
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 and law-abid-
ing people, not easily swerved from the
path of patriotism and honor. THIS is
in entire accord with the genius of our
institutions, and but emphasizes the
advantages of intoxicating even a great
er love for law and order in the future.
Immunity should be granted to none
who violate the laws, whether individ-
uals, corporations, or communities; and
as the constitution imposes upon the
president the duty of both its own exc
cution and Of the statutes enacted in
pursuance of it's provisions, I shall en-
deavor carefully to carry them into eff
feet. The declaration of the party now
restored to power has been in the past
that of Opposition. to all combinations
of capital organized in trusts or other
wise. to control arbitrarily the condi-
ton Of trade among our citizens" and
1t has supported such legislation as
will prevent the execution of all
schemes to Cypress the people by un-
due charges on their supplies, or by I'M
just rates for the transportation Of
their products to market" This pur-
pose will be steadily pursued, both by
the enforcement of the laws now in ex-
istence, and the recommendation and
support of such new statutes as may be
necessary to carry it into effect.
Illiteracy Must BE Vanished.
Our naturalization and immigration
laws should be further improved to the
constant promotion Of a safer, a bet
ter and a higher citizenship. A grave
peril to the republic would be citizen
ship too ignorant to understand, or too
vicious to appreciate, the great value
and benefit of our constitution and
laws-and against all who come here to
make war upon them, our gates must
me promptly and tightly closed.
Nor must we be unmindful of the need
Of Improvement among our own citi-
zens, but with the zeal of our forefath-
ers encourage the spread Of knowledge
and free education. Illiteracy must be
banished from the land If we shall at
tain that high destiny as the foremost
Of the enlightened nations of the world.
which under Providence, we ought to
achieve. 4
Reforms in the civil service must go
on, but the change should be real and
genuine. not perfunctory, or prompted
by a zeal in behalf of any party, sim
ply because 1t happens to be in power.
AS a member of congress / voted and
spoke in favor of the present law and
shall attempt it's enforcement in the
spirit in which 1t was enacted. The
purpose in view was to secure the most
efficient service of the best men who
would accept appointment under the
government, retaining faithful and de-
voted public servants in Office, but
none, under the authority of
any rule or custom who are inefficient,
or unworthy. The best
interests of the country demand this,
and the people heartily approve the
aw wherever and whenever it has been
thus administered.
Congress should give prompt atten-
ion 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 i'm
oortant subjects so imperatively de-
nand its intelligent consideration. The
United States has progressed with mar
Ielous rapidity in every field of enter
Prise and endeavor until we have be-
,ome foremost in nearly all the great
ines of inland trade, commerce and in
lustry.
Has Been Steadily Declining.
Yet, while this is true, our American
merchant marine has been steadily de-
Ginning until it is now lower both in
he percentage of tonnage and the
aumber of vessels employed, than it
was prior to the civil war. Commend
able progress has been made of late
,ears in the upbuilding of the American
navy, but we must supplement these
Efforts by providing as a proper con-
sort for it a merchant marine amply
sufficient for our own carrying trade
o foreign countries. The question is
me that appeals both to our business
and the patriotic aspirations
If a great people.
1t has been the policy of the United
states since the foundation of the gov
to cultivate relations of peace
Ind amity with all the nations of the
world, and this accords with my con-
,eption of our duty now. We have
cherished the policy Of non-interference
With the affairs of foreign governments,
wisely inaugurated by Washington,
Seeping ourselves free from entangle-
nent either as allies or foes, content to
cave undisturbed with them the settle