The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1868-06-11
From the Baltimore American,
THE REPUBLICAN, PLATFORM.

THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.
IIis the proud boast ol the Republican
party that it composes the larger class
of the morally, intelligence and progress
sigo spirit of the nation, and hence men
will naturally turn to its platform 10 see
how far this boasts justified by the prin'
/ ciples it PROCESSES to entertain aud advo-
cate. Il is true that there is a ti.e ad-
age that platforms never amount 10 any
thing, but it never has been adopted in
practice, The people universally feel
that q platform is designed 10, and aciu
ally does, cmbody those principles which
the majority Of the party uro willing to
adopt as their creed. and il was In this
spirit that thousands of both Republican
and Democrats turned yesterday to read
the resolutions OF the Chicago CouYcu-
tion. From one end Of the land 10 tho
other there is scarcely reading man
who does not know the substance of that
platform, and who does not feel that up
on the ground there set forth the Rcpub
licans are going to make tho camppigu
Of 1903. What, then, are the principles
proclaimed by the leading party of the
country! In the first place, there is
tone Of honor, patriotism and integrity
running through the whole Of the reso-
utions that cannot fail to command the
admiration OF all rejecting and houora-
bic men. There is no sentimental SYM
pothy Tor traitors no mean trucking 10
rasco's. Loyalty and honesty breathe in.
every line and every word. The sold.
iers aud tho sailors are held up to admi
ration. aud The national deb! is declared
to be sacred, This is as it should be,
Nations are strong and remain strOn on
ly as they are manly. When the people
feel that patriotism is noble and treason
is vile; when they eroogise theirdrpur
ted heroes and watch tenleFly over their
bereayed families instead Of pal,ering
with treason and calling traitors misgui
ded brethren. their will be vigor and
and robustness in tie National Coustl-'
tuition that will enable it 10 withstand
hundred rebellions. Such senti.
ments indicate study character, an at.
dent olherahce to principle that will
make men part with life rather thaa.
suffer dishonor. II is true that tolera-
lion is one of the NECESSITIES of the hour
but this must como .Gsona magsanimilyH
tot from pusillianimity or national base.
ness. Il must be a,sentiment Tia! can
coexist with the !cflest patriotism, or it
viii be'a national curse. Thc nation
must not speak OF its departed heroes
in the bated breath forfear of giving Of
lence but must sing their virtues and in
scribe their laurels on its banners, thus
proclaiuing that its muguauimity is no!
an acknowledgement Of cror, but the cx-
ercise OF the most elevated Of all virtues
that Of forgiveness TO a conquered en-
emy.
But the spirit with which the party
has approached the subject Of the nation
al debt is worthy of the highest com,
msnlation, and undoubtedly fud re-
spousiyo chord in the hearts Of the peo.
pie. There have been SO many propo-
sitions by indirect means, that it be-
came the party lhtt asked for another
lease ofpower 10 define its position upon
that point, The duty has been met
promptly and nObly, The public debt
must.hO paid in the utmost good faith to
all creditors al home aud abroad, not
only according 10 the letter but the spirit
Of The law hnlct which it was contracted,
This is the position Flhe republican par
ty and it is tG!e true ono. We have not
now and never did have any sympathy
with those sucaking tascOs who would
seek to evado portion Of their obligation
simply because they found thOta strict
lulfllment Of the contract would be ad
advantageous to others. A man Of sIcr
ling principles never ask "WhOt can | b'
compelled in law TO do?" but "What dil
mean by the language | used at th'
timoG" Having once ascorIained this
he abidCs by ibwhcihct advantageous OIL
disadvnnIagcous, To do less is to 'c
dishonorably, Bu! can q grGa! nation
like ours afford 10 do a mean or dis
lhonegt ncl7 Shall wc hncomo the rival.