Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1899-01-12

and desires ct the voters in the matter Of NOM
nations fer office and declarations Of principles
Is still problem commanding the attention Of
the most earnest students OF political economy
in nearly all Of the state. While the fact is
recognized that lack Of interest in primary
party caucslses is largely responsible for the
unsatisfactory results frequently complained of
in county and state conventions, it must be ad-
mitted that many of the present evils can be
done away with by the adoption of a primary
election law that will bring party primary
meetings under state supervision and control.
Such a law need not be burdensome or expen-
sive in its operation and respectfully urge
that a primary election law be made the SUBJ
ject of most careful and favorable considers
tion.
The treaty of peace with Spain having been
signed, and as the country begins to assume Its
normal condition. we, as citizens of North Da-
pine islands, whore our two batallions OF in
fantry (oncc our national guard are now sta
toned. We have reason to point with pride to
the record they have made for themselves and
cent Of casualties and sickness in our regiment
is cause for thankfulness, and congratulate
ourselves that we have been so extremely fortu-
nate and trust that the future may bring even
better conditions. When our regiment returns
home we will miss from the original rolls the
names Of the following brave and patriotic men:
John Morgan, Company II, and Ole Laiken
Company X, who have answered the last roll
call and command and in response to taps the
our sympathy and condole with the bereaved
relatives, comrades and friends.
1t has become demonstrated that our military
laws, now constituted are a mere matter of
experiment, and in order to obtain the best re-
suits, Il complete revision would be found neces-
sary.
As the future will see the national guard of
~. Of oil of m
nation, would respectfully recommend that our
laws governing the militia be revised or so
amended as to comply as fully as is possible
with those adopted by congress governing the
United States regular and volunteer army, espe-
cially as to organization and equipment
second-That all arms, uniforms and equip
yearly cash allowance be made companies for
that purpose.
Third--That system of medical examination
be adopted for the purpose of placing our mill
tia in more efficient condition for the field in
time of emergency.
Fourth-That the appropriation made for the
purpose Of carrying out the provisions of the
military code be wise and conservative but
ample.
And would further recommend as matter
of appreciation and fairness that bill be
of the government the annual arinory rent for
the year ending June 80, 1899, the same as those
companies remaining in the state, as many OF
the companies own their own arlnorics, but Still
owe small debt on Them
Fnyors Expansion.
In this connection 1 reminded that "e
have recently been made to realize that we are
not an isolated state but active member Of
this great s:sterhood of states, and an integral
part of this victorious nation. I rejoice with
you that the brave and stalwart sons OF this
state have helped to break the letters which
bound millions of souls. Their Cry for help,
their hands outstretched in supplication, We're
not passed unheeded, but our people gave of
their substance, yes. many gave their lives for
49, god nd rnv
peace, while we rejoice that the late war was
so free from great losses to our forces, espe-
cially upon the and in the Far East, what
shall be attitude toward the wider oppor-
tunities that have opened up before our coun-
try? In other words shall we lend our infiu-
ehce for against expansion? i, for one, am
state, and, indeed, of the whole Northwest, to
say anything against expansion. for this state,
together with every one of our nelghboring
states, is fruit of that same polcy-eSpan-
aware that less than one hundred years ago
most of the vast domain west of the Mlssis-
sippi river belonged to France, and was known
by the one name of Louisiana-a vast tract en-
tending northward from the mouth of the Mis-
sissippi river to the Dominion Of Canada. and
westward to the Pacific ocean; tract now dis
vided into seventeen states and territories, COM
prisng in the neghborhood of 1,20O, 600 square
miles-more than one-third of the total area of
the United States; and this was bought in
1903 for song-$11, $50, 000-less than $40
square mie-because Napoleon Bonaparte, then
first consul Of Franco. happened to be in need.
Had it not been for expansion North Dakota
would now be French territory, and its broad
acres would not know the civilization which
now adorns them. To be sure. the Louisiana
purchase was opposed by tho anti-eXpansonlsts
at the beginning of this century, and no one re-
joices more than we that they failed.
Did you ever realize that by far the greater
Part Of the territory of the United States was
obtained through the policy of expansion?
After the purchase of Louisiana in 1903 came
that of Florida in 1921. territory extending
from tho Atlantic ocean to the Mississippi river
none of the original thirteen colonies having
from 1876 to 1913 Texas. New Mexico, Utah
and California were acquired, and in 1867
Alaska.
question of expansion. first to show that it has
been an active issue in the past ahd In that its
triumph has ever been fruitful of good
results; and, second. because it is 60
future, and we must do part in
solving the problems that confront the fed
eral government. Judging from all our glo-
that the policy of expansion is the correct one
for our national government to follow. The
soil OF these various islands OF the has
been baptizad with heroic blood, in the cause
of liberty and thereby ade sacred in our
eyes and we cannot lightly abandon it. Our
flag has been flung to the breeze and we can
not withhold the promise of freedom that it
gave. Where our loved and honored brave
now sleep, thither our thoughts shall ever fond
ly turn.
Resides, through destiny as l believe, the
welfare Of about 100000 of people has been
placed in our keeping. Our duty to them does
not end with striking off their chains and driv
ing their oppressors our. but we must see that
they become erect and free. with all the quail
ties of mind and soul that men and w'men in
this age ought to possess. Fettcrs of darkness
must still be stricken from the mind: ignorance
and superstition must. with oppression, their
creator he put to flight. AS freedom and COM
merce will follow the flag the flag must be
PLANTED even farther forward in the domain of
darkness and oppression. and he there main
tanned until the many blessings which it sym.
i'nlzes enjoyed.
There are In the world to-day tw"nty-four re-
puhiics. Nineteen of them are in this Western
hemisphere: three of them are in Africa. aud
two of them in Europe. Only one of them,
Switzerland. ante-dates the United States.
Douhtless the other twenty-five drew their in
sDration from our republic The torch OF lib
erty for these many lands was lighted at our
altar fire. and while other peoples that hereto.
fore have sat in darkness crave the same boon,
cannot deny them.
To be sure. the party to carry our country sue.
cessfnlly through all the pcrplexitles that shall
arise, must be the party that is trnest to orr
national ideals: the party Of free. enlightened
and universal ballot; the party of an honest dol
lar the party that does not bcget dstrnst. hut
which loyalty upholds all henoicent insti-
buttons and is willing to meet all our obligations.
I congratulate you, gentlemen, and through
you I congratulate the entire state. on the