Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-09-10
Michigan Republican State Platform.

We, the delegated representatives of the Re
publican party in Michigan, assembled In con
yention on the twentieth anniversary year OF IT.
organization, appear before the people of the
State. and Of the Union, after the uninterrupted
exercise by that party Of all the responsibilities
and powers during its entire existence, Offering
no apologies, dcprecating no criticism. invoking
no charity In the construction of Its acts, but
challenging faithful scrutiny OF its record,
through every ycissitude of war and peace, and
the candid Judgment Of all just men. In no
spirit of yainglory, but In simple Difference to
historic truth, we assert that since the Repnbi-
can party raised its banner at Jackson In 1851 1t
has never failed, under trials more severe than
have beset the history of any other party since
the organization OF the Government, to stand in
the advance line of human and national progress
During the turbulent years before the war,
throughout the war; and in the unprecedented per-
plexities which succeeded, 1t has forfeited none
of its pledges to humanity, to its sister States,
nor to the interests OF our own citizens. IL has
promised the protection OF good laws, aud
faithful administration of them; 1t has legslated
wisely for the development Of our abundant re-
sources; it has been liberal in the enconr-
agement of learning, and bOuntifnl in pro-
viding for the unfortunate; it has per-
sistently cultivated better civilization,
and there is no malignant hand that can
point to any of its legislation which may be
used to make men worse. At the same time, IT
has been prudent and economical in expenditure;
has kept down taxation; has been, and is, stead
lily reducing the public Indebtedness, and the
financial credit Of the State under it, management
IL of the ighest standard In all the commercial
cities OF the world. We shall regard IL good
reason for acceding TO the statement OF our oppo-
nents, that the mission Of the Republican partyis
ended, when we are pointed to a political organ
zation more beneficial IN its aims or more de-
voted or comprehensive in it's patriotism; but as
long as 1t leads all other parties il has done In
the past, and Is it still does In the advancement
of good works, In the investigation Of grievances
and in the redress of wrongs, we can discover no
reason for surrendering the rcins Of power INT,
the hands OF party whose last public service was
To drag the country into civil war, to disgrace Its
financial credit, and to leave the Government on
the very brink of dissolution, and which made It's
last effort to regain the confidence Of the people
under lead of its lifelong enemy, in the most
brazcn, bare-faced and shameless coalition ever
known in the history Of parties, formed solely and
avowcdly on the basis OF spois alone.
Upon the financial record OF the Republican
party. alike in the nation and the State, we con
identy challenge comparison with any other
party which ever held power in either. Pointing
with just pride to the great and ady-ncreas-
ing reduction of the national debt, and the i'm
provement Of the national credit, accompanied
by an equally remarkable reduction of taxation
and of expenditure In administering the Govern
ment, with all this our material interests and
general prosperity have enormously increased,
and our citizens are better clothed, better fed and
better paid for their labor than any other people
In the world.
In this State the State Republican management
has secured the same blessings Of light taxation.
economical administration, and rapidly diminish
ing debt while our State institutions have been
literally bnilt up until they have become the aide
of the people. Education. public morals, and the
various branches of industry have been fostered,
crime has been rcpressed. suffering alleviatcd.
and the unfortunate provided for. Large and
important Improvements have been projected and
are In process OF completion, and every state in
terest has been generously, yet economically,
cared for with such scrupulons honesty in every
department of the State Government that even
partisan calnmny dare not bring specific aecusa-
ton against any.
We fully appreciate the extraordinary character
of the financial difficulties through which the
evitable that able and patriotic representatives
should have differed like tbef constituencies a.
TO what were proper remedies In circumstances
wherein they were without specinc Preceuence
for guidance. We indorse as wise and timely the