Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-06-19
The American Farmer.

Among those whosa welfare is as vi
tai to the welfare Of the whole coun-
try as is that of the wage Garner, is
the American farmer. The prosperity
of the country rests peculiarly upon
the prosperity of agriculture. The Re
publican party during the last II years
has accomplished extraordinary work
in bringing the resources of the ma
tional government to the aid OF the
farmer not only in advancing agrlcui-
ture itself, but in increasing the con-
ycnierces of rural life. Free rural mail
delivery has been established; 1t now
reaches millions of our citizens and
we favor its extension until every
community in the land receives the full
benefits of the postal service. we
recognize the social and economic ad-
vantages of good country roads, main
tanned more and more largely at pub
lie expense and less and less at the ex-
pense of the abutting owners. In this
work we commend the growing prac-
tice of state aid, and we approve the
efforts of the national agricultural de-
partment by experiments and other
wise to make clear to the public the
Rights for the Negro.
The Republican party has been for
more than 80 years the consistent
friend of the negro. 1t gave nm 1ree-
GOm and citizenship. 1t wrote into the
organic law the declarations that pro-
claim his civil and political rights, and
it believes today that his noteworthy
Progress in intelligence, industry and
good citizenship has earned the respect
and encouragement of the nation. We
demand equal justice for all men,
without regard to race or color; we
declare again and without reservation,
for the enforcement in letter and spirit
of the 18th, 14th and 18th amendments,
to the Constitution, which were de-
signed for the protection and advance
ncnt of the negro, and we condemn
all devices that have for their real aim
his Iisfranchisement for reasons OF
color alone, as unfair, un-American
and repugnant to the supreme law of
the land.
Natural Resources and Waterways.
We endorse the movement inaugu-
rated by the administration for the
conservation of natural resources; we
approve all measures to prevent the
waste of timber; we commend the
work now going on for the reclamation
of arid lands, and reaffirm the Repub-
lican policy of the free distribution of
the available areas of the public do
main to The landless settler No obli-
CATION of the future is more insistent
and none will result in more blessings
20, rif In
did undertaking is the further duty.
equally imperative. to enter upon
systematic improvement upon a.
large and comprehensive plan just
to all portions of the country,
of the waterways, harbors
and great lakes, whose natural adapt
ability ~ the increasing traffic of the
land, is one of the greatest gifts of a
benign Providence.
The Army and Navy.
The present Congress passed many
conlmendable acts increasing the eff
ficiency of the army and navy; max
ing the militia of the states an integral
part of the national establishment;
authorizing joint manoeuvres of army
ana militia: fortifying new naval bases
coaling stations; instituting a female
nurse corps for naval hospitals and
ships. and adding two new battleshps,
10 torpedo boat destroyers. three steam
Golfers and eight submarines to the
strength of the navy. Although at
peace with all the world, and secure in
the consciousness that the American
people do not desire and will not pro-
woke war with any other country.
we nevertheless declare our unaitera bio
devotion to policy that will keep this
republic ready at all times to defend
her traditional doctrines and assure
her appropriate part in promoting per-
manent tranquility among the ma
tons.
Protection Of American Citizenship
Abroad.
We commend the vigorous efforts
made by the administration to protect
American citizens in foreign lands and
pledge ourselves to insist upon the
Just and equal protection of all our
citizens abroad 1t is the unquestioned
duty of the government to procure for
all citizens, without distinction, the
rights of travel and sojourn in friendly
countries, and we declare ourselves in
favor of all proper efforts tending 10
that end.
Extension Of Foreign Commerce.
Under the administration of the Re
publican party the foreign commerce
OF the United States has experienced a
remarkable growth, until it has a pres
ent annual valuation of approximately
three billions of dollars and gives en-
ployment to vast amount Of labor
and capital which would otherwise be
idle. 1t has inaugurated. through the
recent visit of the secretary of state
to South America and Mexico, q new
era of Dan-American commerce and
comfy which is bringing us into closer
touch with our 90 sister American re-
publics, having a common historical
heritage 81 Republican form of govern
ment and offering us limitess field of
legitimate commercial expansion.
Arbitration and The Hague Treaties.
The conspicuous contributions of
American craftsmanship to the great
cause of international peace so signal
ly advanced in The Hague confer
pncpS arc an Opcu sion for inst mid.