The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-09-29
to proceed with due diligence in the
work of constructing the Canal. That
duty should be promptly performed.
AMERICAN SHIPPING.

work of constructing the Canal. That
duty should be promptly performed.
AMERICAN SHIPPING.
Our commerce in American bottoms
amounts to but eight per cent. OF cur
| total exports and imports. For seventy
years prior to 1860. when the Republi-
/ can party came into power, our mer-
chant marine carried an average OF
seventy-five per cent. of our foreign
! commerce. By 1877 it had dwindled to
twenty-seven per cent. Now we carry
but a contemptibly small fraction OF
cur exports and imports.
American shipping in the foreign
trade was greater by over one hundred
thousand tons in 1S10-nearly a hun
cred years ago-than it was last year.
In the face of the continuous decline in
the record of American shipping du-
ring the last forty-three years, the
promise of the Republican party to re-
store it is without encouragement. The
record of the Democratic party gives
assurance that the task can be more
wisely entrusted to it.
1t is an arduous task to undo the ef-
feet of forty years Of decadence, and
requires the study and investigation OF
those best fitted by experience to find
the remedy,-which surely does not lie
in the granting of subsidies. wrung
from the pocket of all the taxpayers.
INVESTIGATION OF GOVERNMENT
DEPARTMENTS.
Recent disclosures, coupled with the
rapid augmentation Of government eX-
ch inVpGtl-
cation of every department of the gov
ernment. The Democrats in Congress
demanded it. The Republican majority
refused the demand. The people can
determine by their vote in November
whether they wish an honest and thor
orgh investigation. A Democratic Con-
eress and Executive will assure 1t.
ARMY AND NAVY.
We are justly proud of the officers
and men of our Army and Navy. Both,
however. have suffered from the per-
sistent injection of personal and po-
litjcal influence. Promotions and ap-
pointments have been frequently based
on favoriasm instead Of merit. Trials
and court-martials have been set aside
under circumstances indicating polltl-
cal interference. These and other abus-
es should be corrected.
J On the subject of pensions the letter
! Is plain. Mr.. Parker Is favorable to
liberal allowance for disabled veterans,
but opposes extravaganza in the grant
ing of pensions.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The foreign relations Of the govern
ment have in late years assumed spe-
cial Importance. Prior to the acquisi-
tion of the Philippines, we were prac-
tically invulnerable against attacks by
foreign States. Those tropical posses
s;ons, however. seven thousand miles
from our shores, have changed all this
and have in effect put us under bonds
TO keep the peace. The new conditions
call for a management Of foreign af-
fairs the more circumspect in that the
recent American invasion Of foreign
markets in all parts of the world has
! excited the serious apprehension OF all
the great industrial peoples. 1t is es-
sential, therefore, more than ever, to
adhere strictly to the traditional policy
of the country as formulated by its
first president and never, in my judg-
ment. wisely departed from-to invite
| friendly relations with all nations
while avoiding entangling alliances
with any. Such policy means the cul-
tivation of peace instead OF the glorifl-
cation of war. and the minding OF our
cwn business in lieu of spectacular in
termeddling with the affairs OF other
nations. 1t means strict observance OF
the principles of international law and
condemns the doctrine that a great
state, by reason of its strength, may
rightfully appreciate the sovereignty or
( territory of a small state on account
| Of its weakness. 1t means for other
American states that we claim no
rights and will assume no functions
save those of friend and OF an ally
and defender as against European ag-
gressions. 1t means that we repudlate
the role of the American continental
| policeman; that we refuse to act as
| Gebt collector for foreign states or
their citizens: that we respect the in
dependent sovereignty Of each Amerl-
can state and its right to preserve
order and otherwise regulate its own
internal affairs in its own way; and
that any investigation in its affairs by
| us is limited to the single office OF en-
abling its people to work out their own
political and national destiny for them
selves free from the coercion OF any
European state.
REFORM IN GOVERNMENTAL EX-
PENDITURES.
Twenty-eight years have passed since
the Democratic party Of the State OF
New York. in convention assembled,
recommended to the National Democra-
| cy the nomination Of Samuel ]. TIL
| den as it's candidate for the Presidency,
! and declared it to be their settled con-
viction that a return to the constitu-
] tional principles, frugal expenses ana
| administrative purity Of the founders
OF the Republic is the first and most
imperious duty of the tines COM
manding issue now before the people
! of the Union" This strong expression
was called forth by the national expen-
ditures for the year 1875, which
amounted to 1914 900. .000,-a situation
which, in the opinion Of a majority OF
cur people. justified an imperative de-