The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-09-29

cure to our citizens, without oiStlnc'
ton of race or creed, whether native
born or raturalized, at home and
abroad. the equal protection of the
laws and enjoyment of all the rights
and privileges open to them under the
covenants of our treaties, as their
lust due, should be made good TO
them. In the accomplishment of that
result, it is essential that a passport
issued by the government of the Unit
ed States to an American citizen shall
be accepted the world over as proof
of citizenship.
Civil Service.
The statute relating to civil service
is the outcome of the efforts OF
thoughtful, unselish and public-spirit
ed citizens. Operation under 1t mas
frequently been of such 4 character
as to offend against the spirit OF the
statute, hut the results achieved. even
under a partial enforcement OF the
law, have been such as to both de-
serve AMI command the utterance Of
the democratic party that it stands
committed to the principle CT clvl!
service reform and demands its jus:
and impartial enforcement.
Reclamation Of Arid Lands.
4 vast expanse of country in the
west, portions of which are to be
found in each Of the SIX
teen states and territories
mentioned in the law, is directly af-
fected by the national statute
outcome of intelligent and persistent
efforts CT the leading citizens, provid-
irg for the reclamation Of the arid
lands for the benefit of home-seekers.
Whether the purposes of the bill
will be fully accomplished must de-
pend in large measure upon the aoll'
ity, sobriety of judgment, indepena-
ence and honesty of the officers OF
tire interior department having MS
{, eat work in charge.
Panama Canal.
An isthmian canal has long been
the hope of our statesmen, and the
avowed aim of the two great parties,
as their platforms in the past show.
The Panama route having been select
ed, the building Of the canal should re
pressed to completion with all reason
able expedition.
The methods by which the executive
acquired the Panama canal route and
rights are source Of regret to many
To them, the statement that thereby
great public work was assured to the
profit of our 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 our welfare. They hold that ad-
herence to principle, whether it works
for our good or i'll, will have a more
beneficial influence on our future des-
tiny than all our material upbuild-
ing, and that we should ever remember
that the idea of doing wrong to
smaller, weaker nation that we, or
even all mankind, may have re-
sultant good, is repugnant to the pran:
ciples upon which our government 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 performed,
American Shipping.
Our commerce in American bottoms
amounts to but 9 per cent Of our 10.
tai exports and imports. For forty
years prior to 1880, when the republi'
can party came into power, our >mer.
chant marine carried an average OF
Is per cent of our foreign commerce
BY 1877 it had dwindled to 27 per
cent. Now we carry but contempti-
bly, small fraction Of our exports and
imports.
It is ar arduous task to undo the
effect 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 pockets Of all the
taxpayers.
Investigation Of Departments.
Recent disclosures, coupled with
the rapid augmentation OF government
expenditures, show a need of an In
vestigation Of every department of the
! government. The democrats in con-
| gress demanded it. The republican
majority refused the demand. The
people can determine by their vote in
November whether they wish an hon.
| est and thorough investigation. A dem
| oorot;, ornoroce and oyacutive will