Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-06-24

4
tablishing the rights Of neutrals, laws OF
war ON land, restriction Of submarine mines,
| limiting the use OF force for the collection Of
contractual debts, governing the opening Of
hostilities, extending the application Of
Geneva principles and, In many ways, lessen
ing the evils Of war and promoting the peace
full settlement Of international controversies.
At the same session twelve arbitration con-
ventions with great nations were confirmed,
and extradition, boundary and naturalization
treaties Of supreme Importance we're ratified.
We endorse such achievements as the highest
duty people can perform, and proclaim the
obligation Of further strengthening the bonds
of friendship and good will with all nations
of the world.
MERCHANT MARINE.
We adhere to the republican doctrine of
encouragement to American shipping, and
urge such legislation as will revive the mer-
chant marine prestige of the country, so es-
sential to national defense, the enlargement
OF foreign trade and the industrial pros
perity of our own people
VETERANS OF THE WARS.
Another republican policy which must be
maintained is that of generous provision for
and for the widows and orphans of those who
have fallen. We commend the increase in
the widows pensions made by the present
Congress and declare for liberal admins
tration of al, pension laws. to the end that
the memories of heroic sacrifice grow more
sacred with the passing years.
CIVIL SERVICE.
We reaffirm our declarations that the civil
service laws enacted, extended and enforced
by the republican party, shall continue to be
maintained and obeyed.
PUBLIC HEALTH.
We commend the efforts designed to secure
greater efficiency in national public health
effect this purpose.
BUREAU OF MINES AND MINING.
In the interest of the great mineral indus
tries of our country, we earnestly favor the
establishment of o bureau of mines and min
ing,
CUBA, PORTO RICO, PHILIPPINEs.
The American government, in republican
hands, has freed Cuba, given peace and pro-
lection to Porto Rico and the Philippines I'M
der our flag, and begun the construction of
the Panama canal. The present conditions in
Cuba vindicate the wisdom of maintaining
between that republic and this, unperishable
bids Of mutual interest, and the hope is now
expressed that the Cuban people will soon
again be ready to assume complete sover-
eighty over their land.
In Porto Rico the government of the United
States is meeting patriotic support; order and
prosperity prevail and the well being of the
people is in every respect. promoted and con-
served. We believe that the native lnhabi-
tants of Porto Rico should be at once collect
lively made citizens of the United States and
that all. others properly qualified under exist
| ing laws, residing in said island, should have
the privilege Of becoming naturalized.
In the Philippines instruction has been
suppressed, law is established and life and
property are made secure. Education and
| practical experience are there advancing the
capacity OF people for government, and the
policies of Mr.. Mckinley and Roosevelt are
| leading the inhabitants step by step to an
| ever-increasing measure of home rule.
Time has justified the selection of the
Panama route for the great isthmian canal
and events have shown the wisdom of secur-
| ing authority over the zone through which it
| is to be built. The work is now progressing
with rapidity far beyond expectation, and
already the ealization of the hopes of centu-
ries has come within the vision of near
future.
NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA.
We favor the immediate admission of the
| territories of New Mexico and Arizona as
separate states in the Union.
CENTENARY OF THE BIRTH OF LINCOLN.
February r. 1909, will be the Tooth anniver-
| sary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, an i'm
mortal spirit whose fame has frightened with
| the receding years and whose name stands
among the first of those given to the world by
the great republic. We recommend that this
centennial anniversary be celebrated through
out the confines of the nation by all the people
| thereof; and especially by the public schools
| as an exercise to stir the patriotism of the
youth of the land.
DEMOCRATIC INcAPAcITY.
We call the attention of the American
people to the fact that none of the great mea-
sures advocated by the republican party could
be enacted and none of the steps forward here
proposed could be taken under a democratic
administration or under one in which party
responsibility is divided The continuance of
present policies, therefore, absolutely re-
quires the continuance in power of that party
which believes in them and which possesses
the capacity to put them into operation.
DEMOCRACY VS.. REPuBLIcANIsM.
Beyond all platform declarations there are
fundamental differences between the republi-
tte,n,, ,f~