The Somerset reporter., 1906-07-05
Senator Frye,s Sneech

In accepting the honor of presiding
over the work of the Republican
State Convention at Portland, Wcdnes-
day of last week, Senator VIM. P. Frye
OF Lewiston addressed the convention as
follows:
Gentlemen--It IS a distinguished honor to
preside over such a convention as this and
appreciate it highly. am a Republican and
| am proud OF OF it. | have been one from
the birth Of the party. and shall be one until
| have crossed the dark river.
No Sturgis law, whether | approve or
disapprove Of il; no question of resubmission,
whether am for or against it; no alleged
ring rule or State House cabal, whether
believe in them or not, can weaken, in the
slightest degree, my allegiance and loyalty to
the party, and surely ought not yours. Why
not?
Because Of its fidelity and devotion to the
best interests of the country and its people il
has had no parallel in the history Of partie.
here or elsewhere; because it has convictions
and the courage of them; because ii has
been. and is, progressive and constructive
In these days Of political disquiet in our
State, it may be well to take brief and linn
tied backward look and test by the light Of il
whether or not it is still entitled to our con.
hdence and support
Fifty years ago il held its first Nationa
convention and the central plank in its plat
form was ringing declaration in favor of the
rights Of men. 1t has never been forgetfu
OF that as after events clearly show.
Forty-hve years ag5 ii came into power
right on the threshold OF a most terrible ciY
war, without a navy or army, and with ar
impaired credit. 1t was fearful problem Il
solve, but II was equal to the demand. 1t:
patriotism, wisdom in the conduct Of the war
and management of the finances its prompt
ness in raising armies and building navy
inspired the people with courage and hope
and resulted in final victory.
During the war, to save the union, it is'
sued paper money, placed limit upon the
issue, and when that was reached, stopped
No other party or power ever entered upor
this perlous pathway and stopped short Of
ruin. When the war was over, it showed q
spirit Of forgiveness such as the world never
saw before
1t was confronted with debt so enormou.
in its proportions that even many intelligent
and patriotic citizens saw only hope in re-
should be kept in both letter and spirit
that every dollar of the debt should be paid
1t entered at once on its payment and con
tinued until it is no longer a burden, Ii sc
wisely conducted our finances that now oui
credit is as high, if not higher, than that O
any other country. We had banking sys
TEN entirely insecure and inefficient, under
which notes issued by banks west OF New
England were not current here. 1t estab
lished in its place our present national banks
whose notes wherever issued, are as good az
gold.
Il passed the Free Homestead law, anc
TO-DAY millions Of men, women and children
are enjoying its benefits. 1t appropriated
land for the establishment Of agriculture
colleges almost every state now enjoying
one, the benefits of which to our f1rmeri
cannot be estimated. 1t aided in the con
structon OF railroads connecting the Atlantic
and the Pacific, thus cementing forever th'
East and the West. 1t provided pensions fo
our soldiers much more liberal than any evel
before known.
1t erected and maintained homes for thu
homeless soldiers. AT its second Natona
convention it declared in favor OF the pro
teetive policy, and at once entered it into
law, has adhered to it until now, and vii
continue to stand pat. Encouraged by it
provisions new industries sprang into ex
istence, old ones increased their capacity
millions more men were given employ men
al wages much higher than were paid in an,
other country.
Its enemies declared that retaliation woul,
follow-that our export trade would be seri
at
interfered with What has been the result
In 1867, our exports amounted in rount
numbers to 24o millions of dollars; in 1905
SI,5I8, 10000. Our entire foreign com
mence in 1861, S585, 900, 600; in 1905, 81,
63o, 900 900.
This year it promises to reach 3 billions
with balance Of trade in our favor OF $500,
100000.
Our wealth in 1861, 10 billions; in 1900
90 billions.
During the last forty-fye years the Demo
Gratis have enacted only one important law
the Wilson tariff. Surely you have not for
gotten its disastrous effects, the utter paraly
sis OF business, the unlimited failures, tn,
silent mill wheels, the smokeless furnaces
the mighty army OF men seeking work anc
finding none, the soup houses established il
every city to feed the hungry Do any Of u
want a revival Of those uni, rtunate years
Gentlemen--why should recite the achieve
ments of the last ten years? They are a
familiar to you as household words.
During this decade it has been in unlimt
ed control Of legislation, with two noble, pa
triotic, fearless, steadfast, Republican Presi
dents, VIM Mckinley and Theodore Roose
velt-with what RESULT Our prosperity dur
ing that period has been the wonder and th'
envy of the world. 1t never was create
than now.
In view of this brief and imperfect reeor,
of its past, is it not fairly entitled to you
continued confidence and support, and oueh
not you and those you represent declare witt
me, allegiance and loyalty to the Republican
Darty2