Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-23

insist upon the maintenance OF the
principles of protection and, therefore
rates of duty should be readjusted only
when conditions have SO changed that
the public interest demands their al
teratiOn, but this work cannot safely
be committed to any other hands than
these of the Republican party. To en-
trust it to the Democratic party is to
invite disaster. Whether. as in 1892,
the Democratic party declared the pro-
'tective tariff unconstitutional, or
neither it demands tariff reform or
tariff revision, it's real object is always
the destruction of the protective sys-
tenn. However speciOus the name, the
purpose is ever the same. A Demo-
cratic tariff has always been followed
by business adversely; a Republican
tariff by business prosperity.
To Republican Congress and Re-
publican President this great question
can be safely trusted. When the only
free trade country among the great
nations agitateS a return to protection
the chief prospective should not falter
in maintaining it.
We have extended widely our for
leigh markets and we believe in the
IadoptiOn of all practicable methods for
their further extension, including COM
tmercial reciprocity wherever reciprocal
arrangements can be effected con-
|sistent with the principles of protec-
ton and without injury to American
agriculture. American labor or any
American industry.
We believe it to be the duty of the
Republican party to uphold the gold
STANDARD and the integrity and value of
Jour national currency. The mainte-
nance of the gold standard established
by the Republican party cannot safely
be committed to the Democratic party
(which resisted it's adoption and has
never given any proof since that time
Iof belief in it or fidelity to it.
While every other industry has pros
pcred under the fostering aid Of Re-
publican legislation, American shipping
engaged in foreign trade in competi-
ton with the low cost of construction.
low wages and heavy subsidies of
foreign governments has not for many
years received from the government
of the United States adequate encour-
agement of any kind. We, therefore
favor legislation which will encourage
and build up the American merchant
marine and we cordially approve the
legislation of the last Congress which
created the merchant marine commits
sion to investigate and report upon this
subject.
A navy powerful enough to defend
the United States against any attack,
to uphold the Monroe doctrine and
watch over our commerce, is essential
to the safety ana the welfare of the
American people. To maintain such n
navy is the fixed policy Of the Repub-
lic2n party.
We cordially approve the attitude of
President Roosevelt and Congress in
regard to the exclusion of Chinese
labor and promise n continuance of the
Republican policy in that direction.
The civil service law was placed on
the statute books by the Republican
lparty, which has always sustained it
and we renew our former declarations
that it shall be thoroughly and honest
ly enforced.
We are always mindful of the coun-
try's debt to the soldiers and sailors
Of tho United States and we believe in
making ample provision for them and
in the liberal administration of the
pension laws.
We favor the peaceful settlement of
international differences by arbitration
| We commend vigorous efforts made
by administration to protect American
citizens in foreign lands and pledge
ourselves to insist upon the Just and
equal protection of all our citizens
abroad.
1t is the unquaStiOned duty of the
government to procure for all our citi-
Zens without distinction the rights of
travel and sojOurn in friendly coun-
tries and We declare ourselves in favor
| Of all proper efforts tending to that
| end.
Our great interest and our growing
commerce in the Orient render the con-
dition of China of high Importance to
| the United States. We cordially COM
mend the policy pursued in that direc-
tion by the administrations of Presi-
| dent Mckinley and President Roose-
Welt.
We favor such congressional action
as shall determine whether by special
determinations the elective franchise
in any state has ben uncOnstitutionalIy
limited, and, if such is the case, we de-
mand that representation in Congress
and in the ELECTORAL colleges shall be
proportiOnally reduced as directed by
the constitution of the United States.
Combinations of capital and of labor
are the results of the economic move
ment Of the age. but neither must be
permitted to infringe upon the rights
and interests Of the people. Such COM
binations when, lawfully formed for
| lawful purposes. are alike entitled to
the protection of the laws, both are
| subject to the laws and neither can be
! permitted to break them.
| The great statesman and patriotic
American. VIM. Mckinley, who was
| reelected by the Republican party to
| the Presidency four years ago, was as
| sasSinated just at the threshold of his
second term. The entire nation mourned
his untimely death and did justice to
his great qualities of mind and charac-
ter which history will confirm and re-
peat.
| The American people We're fortunate