Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-07-28

deeply thrilled by the memory of their great comrades gone before-Grant, Hayes. Garfield. Harrison and McKin- ley, all sons of Ohio. who left records redecting glory upon their State and Nation. or that my sympathies with the valor and courage and patriotism of those who faced death in the country's crises are any less earnest and sincere than they would be had I the right to wear a button of the Grand Army or of the veteran association of any of our country's wars.
 The Rights and Progress of the Negro.
 The Republican platform refers to these amendments to the Constitution that were passed by the Republican party for the protection of the negro. The negro, in the forty years since he was freed from slavery, has made remarkable progress. He is becoming a more and more valuable member of the communities in which he lives. The education of the negro is being expanded and improved in every way. The best men of both races, at the North as well as at the South, ought to rejoice to see growing up among the Southern people an influential ele- ment disposed to encourage the negro in his hard struggle for indus trial independence and assured po- litical status. The Republican plat form, adopted at Chicago, explicitly demands justice for all men with out regard to race or color, and just as explicitly declares for the en- forcement, and without reservation, in letter and spirit of the Thirteenth. Fourteenth md Fifteenth Amendments 10 the Constitution. It Is needless to state that l stand with ny pals, squarely on that plank in the platform, and believe that equal justice to all men, and the fair and impartial en- forcement of these amendments is in keeping with the real American spirit of fair play. .,... ..
 Army and Navy.
 Mir. Mckinley and MT. Roosevelt and the Republican party, have con. stantly advocated policy with re spect to the Army and Navy that will keep this Republic. ready at all times to defend her territory and her doc trines, and to assure her appropriate part in promoting permanent tranquil. lity among the nations. l welcome from whatever motive the change in the Democratic attitude toward the maintenance and support of an ade. quate Navy, and hope that in the next platform the silence of the present platform, in respect to the Army, will be changed to an acquiescence in its maintenance to the point of efficiency in connection with the efficiently re. organized militia and the National vol. unteers, for the proper defense of the country in times of war, and the dis. charge of those duties in times of peace for which the Army, as at pres. ent constituted. has shown itself SC admirably adapted in the Philippines. in San Francisco, in Cuba, and else. where. We are world power and cannot help 1t, and, although at peace with all the world and secure in the consciousness that the American peo. pie do not desire and will not provoke a war with any other country. we must be prudent and not be lulled into a sense of security which would possibly expose us to national humiliation. Our best course therefore is to insist on constant improvement in our navy and its maintenance at the highest point oi efficiency.
 Protection of Citizens Abroad. \
 The position which our country has won under Republican administrations before the world should inure to the benefit of every one. even the humblest of those entitled to look to the Ameri. can flag for protection, without regard to race. creed or color. and whether he Is a citizen of the United States or of any of our dependencies. In some countries with which we are on friend ly terms. distinctions are made in re- spect to the treatment of our citizens travelling abroad and having passports of our Executive. based on considera- tions that are repugnant to the princi- pies of our Government and civiliza- ton. The Republican party and ad- mlnistration will continue to make every proper endeavor to secure the abolition of such distinctions. which in our eyes are both needless and op- probrious.
 Asiatie Immigration.
 In the matter of the limitation upon Asiatic immigration, referred to in the Democratic platform, it is sufficient to say that the present Republican Ad- ministration has shown itself able. by diplomatic negotiation. and without unnecessary friction with self-respect- ing governments. to minimize the evils suggested. and a subsequent Repub- lican Administration may be counted on to continue the same policy. Conservation of National Resources.
 The conservation of National re- sources is a subject to which the pres ent Administration has given especial attention. The necessity for a compre- hensive and systematic improvement of our waterways. the preservation of our soil. and of our forests. the securing from private appropriation the power in navigable streams. the retention of the undisposed of coal lands of the Government from alienation, all will ----..-f- -1.f.. e---.- sA- -. as-f-