Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-06-20
The Republican Platform.

The platform unanimously adopted
by the Republican Convention is no
longer than the average of National
platforms, but it touches briefly and
pointedly upon a number of subjects.
Where it deals with matters that have
been referred to in previous platforms
it is made clear that the party has taken
no step backward, and where the logic
of events seem to have required it n
distinct advance has been made. For
instance, in the matter of Civil-Service
reform, instead OF, like the Democrats,
putting the hand to the plow and
looking back" it is demanded that the
principles of the Civil-Service law shall
be applied to all the grades of the SER
vice to which it is applicable, and that
whatever obstacles may be found to its
working shall be promptly removed by
Legislation. Not merely the strict letter
but also the spirit of the law is held as
binding on the service.
Special pains were evidently taken
with the tariff declaration, in order that
there might be no misunderstanding or
Misrepresentation of its purport. A
square issue is made with the Demo-
cratic party by the distinct repudiat on
of tho policy of tariff for revenue
only" and u demand that in lcvying
duties for tho necessary revenue they
shall be so LEVIED as to afford security
to our diversified industries and pro-
lection to the rights and wages of the la
borer." A further pledge is made that
the party will correct the inequalities
of the tariff and reduce the surplus, not
by the vicious and indiscriminate pro-
cess of horizontal reduction, but by
such methods as will relieve the tax
payers without iniuring the labor or the
great productive interests of the coun-
try" Here is an emphatic reassertion
of the Republican policy of protection
to home industry, and a pledge that the
burden of taxation. which presses at
some points harder than it does at
others, shall be SO shifted as to bear
equally at all points. The interests oil
the home producer are still further
cared for in the demand for the read.
justment of the wool tariff, so as to
give better protection to the American
sheep-farmcr. The principle upon
which the entire tariff policy of the Re.
publican party is based is tersely ex.
pressed in one sentence of the platform
'It is the first duty of good govern,
mcnt to protect the rights and promote
the interests of its own people," This
may be called q selfish policy, but it i:
the policy which every nation pursues,
though the methods adopted vary ac
cording to the circumstances OF the
country.
Once more the Republican party as
serts that this is a Nation, with big
N, and not mere confederacy ol
States. AT the same time, to ease the
troubled minds of the timid people
who are in mortal dread of the bugbeal
of Capitalization, the platform explains
that "the States haye reserved rlghts
which should be faithfully maintained
The practical disfranchisement of /,
large portion of the people OF the Soutl
by fraud and violence can hardly b,
considered one of the reserved rights o
the States, with which the Genera
Government has nothing to do. Their,
| is, therefore, meaning in the closing
sentence of the platform, in which thu
members of the convention "eXtend L
the Republicans of the South, regard
less of their former party affiliations
"a phrase to which pointed meanin.
was given by the unanimous accept
ance of the Malone delegation from
Virginia-"our cordial sympathy ant
pledge to them our most earnest effort
TO promote the passage of such legisla
tion as will secure to every citizen, o
whatever race or color, the full and com
plete. recognition, possession and excer
else OF all civil and political rights"
In the other clauses of the Republic
an declaration the question of polygam,
is referred to in the same way rs ii
previous Republican platforms, NOR
stringent measures being demande
and the use of the military power bein,
insisted upon ii milder methods prov
Intellectual; the justice of appointing
residents of Territory as Territoria
officers is impressed upon the President
the restoration of the navy TO its forme
condition of efficiency is demanded an
the removal of oppressive burdens upo
our shipping interests urged; the re
moval Of Inequalities In the pensio
laws is required as nm act Of justice
tho importance OF securing nm undei
standing with Other countries that wi