The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-06-14
The Republican Platform.


bled renew their allegiance to the prin-
ciples upon which they have triumph
ed in six successive Presidential cleo
tions, and congratulate the American
people on the attainment of so many
results in legislation and administra-
ton by which the Republican party
has, after saving the Union, done so
much to render its institutions Just,
equal, and beneficient-the safeguard
of liberty and the embodiment Of the
best thought and highest purposes of
our citizens.
The Republican party has gained
it's strength by quick and faithful res
ponse to the demands OF the people
for the freedom and the equality Of an
men, for a united nation assuring the
rights Of all citizens, for the elevation
OF labor, for an honest currency, for
purity in legislation, and for integrity
and accountability in all the depart
ments of the Government, and it ac-
ccpts anew the duty Of leading in the
work Of progress and reform.
We lament the death of President
Garfield, whose sound statesmanship,
long conspicuous in Congress, gave
promise of a strong and successful Ad-
ministration, promise fully realized
during the short period of his office as
President of the United States. His
distinguished success in war and in
peace has endeared him to the hearts
of the American people.
In the Administration OF President
Arthur we recognize wise, conserva-
tive, and patriotic policy, under which
the country has been blessed with re-
markable prosperity, and we believe
his eminent services nre entitled to
and will receive the hearty approval
Of every citizen.
1t is the first duty Of a good govern
ment to protect the rights and pro-
mote the interest of its own people
the largest diversity OF industry is
most productive of general prosperity,
and of the comfort and independence
OF the people. We, therefore, demand
that the imposition of duties on for.
eign imports shall he made, not for
revenue only, but that in raising the
requisite revenues for the Govern.
ment, such duties shall be so levied AZ
to afford security to our diversified i'm
dustries, and protection to the rights
and wages Of the laborer, to the end
that active and Intelligent labor, as
well as capital may have its just re
ward, and the laboring man his ful
share in the national prosperity.
Against the so-called economica
| system of the Democratic party, whicl
would degrade our labor to the foreign
standard, We enter our earnest pro
| test. The Democratic party has failed
, completely to relieve the people of thu
burden of unnecessary taxation by /
wise reduction of the surplus.
II The Republican party pledges itsel
to correct the inequalities of the tariff
: and to reduce the surplus, not by tn,
!. vicious and indiscriminate process 0
horizontal reduction, but by sucl
methods as will relieve the tax-paye
without injhring the laborer or tn,
:, great productive interests OF the coun
i, try,
: We recognize the Importance o
sheep husbandry in the United States
. the serious depression which it is nov
experiencing, and the danger threat
!, ening its future prosperity; and W
therefore respect the demands Of tn
representatives of this important ag
= ricultural interest for readjustmen
= of duty upon foreign wool, in orde
that such industry shall have full an
y adequate protection. ! q ts'a.'d
+ We have always recommended tn
u best money known to the civilize
y world, and We urge that an effort b
L made to unite all commercial nation
x in the establishment OF an intern,
s tional standard which shall fix for a
:, the relative value of gold and silve
q coinage. ES#Et E
4 The regulation OF commerce wit
q foreign nations land between tn
q States is one of the most importal
ot prerogatives Of the general Cover
'e ment, and the. Republican party di
v tinctly announces its purpose to sul
Il port such Legislation MS will fully an
T. efficiently carry out thsconstitutioni
. power Of Congress over inter7Stat
;" commerce. st4e,s
The principle of the public regul
is tion Of railway corporations is a VIII
le and salutary one for the protection
ID all classes of the people, and we fave
ly legislation that shall prevent unju
c. discrimination and excessive charg
r. for transportation, and that shall $
nc cure to the people and 10 the railwa,
1t alike the fair and equal protection
o. the laws
he We favor the establishment of IL
he tional Bureau OF Labor, the enforc