The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1904-10-01

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platforms in the past show. The
Panama route having been selected,
the building Of the canal should be
pressed to completion with all reason
able expedition.
The methods by which the executive
acquired the Panama canal route and
rights are a source of regret to many.
To them, the statement hat thereby
a great public work was assured to the
profit OF u people is not a sufficient
answer to the charge OF violation OF
national good faith. They appreciate
that the principles and healthy con-
victions which in their working out
have made us free and great, stand
firmly against the argument or sug-
gestion that we shall be blind to the
nature Of the means employed to pro-
mote u welfare. They hold that
adherence to principle, whether it
works for our good or Ill, will have
a more beneicent influence on our
future destiny than all our material
upbuilding, and that we should ever
remember that the idea of doing a
wrong to a smaller, weaker nation
that we, or even all mankind, may
have a resultant good is repugnant to
the principles upon which our govern
ment was founded.
Under the laws of the United States
the duty Is imposed on the executive
to proceed with due diligence in
the work OF constructing the canal.
That duty should be promptly per-
formed.
American Shipping.
Our commerce in American bottoms
amounts to but eight per cent. of our
total exports and imports. For 10
yeras prior to 1860, when the repub-
lican party came into power, Dur mer-
chant marine carried an average Of rs
per cent. of our foreign commerce. BY
1877 it had dwindled to 81 per cent.
Now we carry but a c~ontemptibly
small fraction of our exports and i'm
ports.
American shipping in the foreign
trade was greater by over 100000 tons
in 1810-nearly 100 years ago-than it
was last year. In the face of the con-
tinuous decline In the record Of Amer
lean shipping during the last 43 years,
the promise OF the republican party
to restore 1t is without encourage
ment. The record Of the democratic
party gives assurance that the task
can be more wisely intrusted to it.
Recent disclosures, coupled with the
rapid augmentation of government ex-
penditures, show a need OF an investi-
cation of every department Of the gov
eminent. The democrats in congress
demanded 1t. The republican majority
refused the demand. The people can
determine by their vote in November
whether they wish an honest and thor
ough investigation. A democratic con-
gress and executive will assure 1t.
Army and Navy.
We are justly proud of the officers and
men of our army and navy. Both. how
ever, have suffered from the persistent
injection of personal and political in
iuence. Promotions and appointments
have been frequently based on favorit-
ism instead of merit. Trials and court
martials have been set aside under cir
cumstances indicating political inter-
ference. These and other abuses should
be corrected.
Pensions for Our Soldiers and Sailors.
The national democracy favors liberal
pensions to the surviving soldiers and
sailors and their dependents, on the
ground that they deserve liberal treat
ment. 1t pledges by It's platform ade-
quate legislation to that end. But it
denies the right Of the executive to
usurp the power of congress to legis-
late on that subject. Such usurpation
was attempted by pension order No.
IS. and effect has been given to it by a
that dared not resent the
usurpation. 1t is said that this order
made in the performance of a duty
imposed upon the president by act of
congress-" but the provision making
the imposition is not pointed out. The
act to which the order refers, which is
the n relating to pensions to civil
war veterans. does not authorize pen
sions on the ground of age. 1t does grant
pensions to those suffering from any
or physical disability, or disa-
.bilities, Of a permanent character, not
the result Of their own vicious habits.
which so ineapacitates them from the
of manual labor as to rem
der them unable to earn a support"
This specified requirement Of incapacity
Is in effect set aside by order No. IS
as to all persons over 81.
The wal closed nearly 40 years ago.
In the meantime many of our soldiers
and sailors long survived the age OF
q, and passed away without receiving
any pension. Skillful pension attorneys
hunting through the statute failed to
find there a provision giving a pen
sion to all who had reached 81. Many
veterans urged the justice of
congressional action giving a service
to all veterans. Bills to that
effect were introduced in congress. And
lot until March of this year did any
,ne ever claim to have made the dis
,overy that the president had power to
reat the statute as If 1t read that when
claimant had passed the age of 81 years
lie is necessarily disabled one-half in