The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-09-15

deferred. certainly for years, perhaps
for generation or more. Criticism OF
the action in this matter is simply
criticism of the only possible action
which could have secured the building
Of the caral; as we'll as the peace and
quiet which we were, by treaty, bound
to preserve along the line OF transit
across the isthmus. The service rem
dered this country in securing the per-
petual right to construct, maintain,
operate and defend the canal was so
great that our opponents do not ven
ture to raise the issue in straightfor-
ward fashion; for II so raised there
would be no issue. The beneficent re-
suit was the exercise by the President
of the powers vested in him, and in him
alone by the constitution; the power to
recognize foreign governments by en-
tering into diplomatic relations with
them, and the power to make treaties
which. wher ratified by the Senate, be-
comes under the constitution part OF
the supreme law Of the land. Neither
in this nor in any other matter has
there been the slightest failure to live
ND to the constitution in letter and In
spirit. But the constitution must be
observed positively as well as negative
ly. The Presidents duty is to serve the
country in accordance with the const1-
tuition: and I should be derelict in my
duty il I used a false construction OF
the constitution as shield for weak
ness and timidity, or as an excuse for
governmental impotence.
Many other objections of Democrats
to the Republican policies are cited and
answered in the same strain.
The President touches upon the
question Of capital and labor, claiming
that his administration has done every
thing possible to assume harmony be-
tween these forces. On the subject OF
Civil Service he says in part:
Our opponents have now declared
themselves in favor of the civil service
law, the repeal of which they demand
din 1900 and in 1896. II consistent,
they should have gone one step further
and congratulated the country upon
the way in which the civil service law
is now administered, and the way in
which the classified service has been
extended. The exceptions from exami-
nations are fewer by far than ever be-
fore, and are confined to individual
cases, where the application OF the rules
would be impracticable, unwise or un-
necessary. The administration OF the
great body of the classified civil service
is free from politics, and appointments
and removals have been put upon a
business basis. Statistics show that
there is little difference between the
tenure of the Federal classified en-
ployes and that of the employees OF prl-
yate business corporations. Less tnan
l per cent. Of the classified employees are
over 70 years Of age, and In the nam
the service rendered is vigorous ana
efficient. Where the merit system was
of course most needed was In the Phll-
ippine Islands; and civil service law
Of very advanced type has there been
put into operation and scrupulously OBJ
served. without one exception every
appointment in the Philippines has
been made in accordance with the
strictest standard of fitness, and with
out heed to any other consideration.
The Tariff and Reciprocity are both
touched upon at considerable length, In
the usual forceful style OF Mr.. Roose-
welt.
The Philippines come in for a
lengthy discussion, claiming that the
administration policy is the correct
ore.
Governmental expenses are dis
cussed. and the claim made that the
present expenses are economical ana
GOOD balance has been kept in the
treasury.
The letter closes with the following:
Our appeal is made to all good citi-
zens who hold the honor and the inter-
est of the nation close to their hearts.
The great issues which are at stake,
and upon which l have touched, ana
more than which | have touched, Tor
they involve much that comes home TO
the individual well-being Of our people.
Under conditions as they actually are,
good Americans should refuse, to
10 change the national policy. We, who
are responsible for the administration
and legislation under which this coun-
try, during the last seven years, mas
grown so greatly in well-being at nome
and in honorable repute among the ma
tions of the earth abroad, do not
stand inertly upon this record, do not
use this record as an excuse for failure
of effort to meet new conditions. On the
contrary, we treat the record OF what
we have done in the past as incltement
to do even better in the future. We be-
lieve that the progress that we have
made may be taken as measure OF the
progress we shall continue to make II
the people again entrust the govern
nent of the nation to our hands. we 90
not stand STILL We press steadily for
ward toward the goal of moral and ma.
terial well-being of our own people, OF
Ipst and fearless dealing toward all
other peoples, in the interest not mere
Iy of this country, but of mankind.
There is not policy, foreign or domes-
tic. which we are now carrying but,
which it would not be disastrous TO
reverse or abandon. If our opponents
should come in and should not reverse
hrQn0-