New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-29
THE JOU4 PLATFORM.


Tho Renublican Convention of Iowa reached
harmonious conclusion on THURSDAY III INC
nomipation of Senator Larrabee for Governor
with John A. Il. Hull, now Secretary o. o'aVe'
for Lieutenant. Governor, and adopteu s'ione
platform. The declaration OF principles is Oh
interest, as showing the tendency OF hepuDlican
Thought in one of the great Western States
where Republicanism has always been mighty'
At the outset the convention shocks the thin"
skinned no-party men by proclaming that the
issues raised by the war are not settieu anu
cannot be so long as organized repeiioh
against the United States Constitution ana laws
derives great bodies of colored citizens at the
South of the right of suffrage. Ii protests
against the Union soldier having one vote ana
the rebel soldier having two.' lt points out
that this great wrong is also menace 10 free
labor at the North, and drives Southern blacks
to Northern States for liberty and employment
Next il points out that the Democratic uoc-
t1ine of State rights has been reafirmed IN
effect by the diplomatic appointments OF the
Administration, and censures the selection Oh
men TO represent the Government abroad VINO
depy it's indlssolublc unity Ii censures, too, the
offensive removals VI disabled soldiers from
apublic service by means of the disreputable
adevice of the offensive partisan scheme" II
opposes the British policy which is advocated
by 'he Democratic party under the gllise OF a
tariff for revenue only" 1t upholds Civil Ser
vice reform, and declares that this reform Is not
promoted by the appointments of President
Cleveland. 1t alfirms that public lands should
be held for actual settlers, and favors the I'M
prOyement of waterways and the suppression
of polygamy. AS TO finances, 1t opposes ANY
change in the laws that will increase the burden
of the debtor class" which is not very precise
or very wise statement. On the temperance
question ii aiiirms the right and duty OF the
State TO regulate the traffic in liquor but
declares that the Republican party has not
made the support of prohibition test OF party
fealty.r Finally, it favOrs q continuance OF
the control of railroads by the State.
II is well rs consider whether ir oil essentials
these doctrines are not common to Republicans
in all parts of tho country. The financial posi-
ton of the party would be differently stated,
where people better understand that sound
and safe currency is vitality important for oil
classes, for debtors as well as creditors. The
regulation of railways by law is not anywhere
an issue, except as to the e1pediency and public
benefit of particular modes of regulation. The
mode which suits the needs of Iowa may not
equally suit the local needs of other States,
though the principle governing may in both
States be the same. But in vital Matters the
position taken by the Republicans of Iowa is
that which true Republicans take in all the
States. They believe III equal justice, equal
enforcement of law, and equal protection in the
exercise of rights, in all parts of the country.
The Democrats do not, and therefore there is
raised an issue between the parties, and vital
one. No sneering can get rid of it, and the
people who want to bury it or believe that ii
has been buried are not Republicans. All
Republicans believe in the defence OF American
labor and in the adjustment of the tariff to
that end, though they differ on account Of local
interests in their Judgment as to the details of
such an adjustment But the Democrats do not
believe in the principle of protection, and thus
again there is raised q vital issue between
parties 1t is one which no tricky device of
British interests can evade. Finally, on the
temperance question the party everywhere
| fayors the best methods of regulating the
| iorpr traffic which public sentiment in each
| State will practically enforce. But it nowhere
| attempts to make any particular method test
| of party fealty. Thus there IL defined a united,
| harmonious and progressive party, at all points
seeking the public good. The contrast between
such an organization and the Democratic party,
with its lack of defined aims and its Unsuitable
greed for Office regardless of public interests, is
rendered more striking by the platforms
adopted In every State.