The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-28

country's crises are any less earnest
and sincere than they would be had
the right to wear button of the
Grand Army or of the veteran associa-
ton of any of our country's wars.
The Rights 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 re-
markable 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 we'll as at the south, ought to
rejoice to see growing up among the
southern people an influential element
disposed to encourage the negro in his
hard struggle for industrial independ
ence and assured political status. The
Republican platform, adopted at Chi
cago, explicitly demands justice for all
men without regard to race or color,
and just as explicitly declares for the
enforcement and without reservation,
in letter and spirit of the Thirteenth.
Fourteenth and Fifteenth amend
ments to the constitution. 1t is need
less to state that I stand with my
party squarely on that plank in the
platform, and believe that equal JUS
tice to all men, and the fair and i'm
partial enforcement of these amend
ments is in keeping with the real
American spirit of fair play.
Army and Navy
Mr.. Mckinley and Mr.. 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
60 Lee 4.
trines, and to assure her appropriate
part in promoting permanent tran
quillity among the nations. / 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
urteers, 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 SO
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
war with any other country, we
must be prudent and not be lulled into
sense of security which would posi-
bly, 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 of efficiency.
Protection of Citizens Abroad.
The position which our country has
won under Republican administra-
tons before the world should inure
to the benefit Of every one, even the
humblest of those entitled to look to
the American flag for protection,
without regard to race, creed or color,
and whether he is citizen of the
United States or any of our Dependent
cies. In some countries with which
we are on friendly terms, distinctions
of our citizens travelling abroad and
having passports of our executive,
based on, considerations that are re-
pugnant to the principles of our gov
eminent and civilization. The Repub-
lican party and administration will
deavor to secure the abolition of dis
tinctions which in our eyes are both
needless and approbrious.
Asiatic Immigration.
In the matter of the limitation upon
Asiatic immigration referred to in
the Democratic platform. it is suff-
Gent to say that the present Repub-
lican administration has shown itself
able, by diplomatic negotiation, and
without unnecessary friction with
self-respecting governments. to mini
miZe the evils suggested. and a subse-
quent Republican 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 COM
prehensive and systematic improve
ment of our waterways, the preserva-
ton 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 aliena-
ton, all will probably claim from the
next administration earnest attention
and appropriate legislation.
National Health Bureau.
have long been of opinion that the
various agencies of the national gov
ton of the national health, scattered
throughout several departments.
should be rendered more efficient by
eminent under a competent head, and
that / understand to be. in effect. the
recommendation OF both parties.