Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-05-23
THE ILLINOIS PLATFORM.
An Insipid, Meanin, less Document Ur
worthy of the PARTY

An Insipid, Meanins less Document Un-
worthy OF the Party.
Inc Republicans of Illinois had reason to
expect from their State convention a series
OF positive and unequivocal declarations
upon State and National affairs. They have
been most sadly disappointed. The plat
form adopted at Springfield is the weakest
that the stalwart Republicans of the State
nave ever adopted. Imagine Yates or Lin
coin, or Grant or Logan reading the vapid
and meaningless platitudes of this platform
with any degree Of satisfaction The plat
form starts out with the amusing announce
ment that son the eve of National conven-
ton it is unnecessary to make any extended
declaration of principle" Where on earth
Is 1t necessary for party TO show its colors
In the strongest lights One would sup
pose, says the Chicago Nc,cs, that of all
tlrnes In the world that when it nominates a
Governor, delegates to National conven-
ton and Presidential electors would be the
proper time to tell the voters what its posi
ton is on State and National questions. But
the Republicans of Illinois content them
selves with nothing of the kind
They criticise the action of the Democratic
party IN not admitting North and South
Dakota as States, but on what groundsp
Simply on the lowest of all political reasons
No word of injustice or right, but only such
declarations as would lead the average man
to conclude that the Republicans would have
done the same thing under similar circum-
stances.
They complain that no honest movement
has been made in regard to amending the
tarn by the Democrats, but what Illinois
republican members Of Congress has. by
bill or amendment, sought to give the peo-
pie proper bin to that end? Nav. more
what Republican from this State in Com
gress has not played the part of an obstruc-
tionist in every movement designed to
lower the war duties of twenty-three years
ago?
1t grumbles that the Democrats have
not provided any defenses for our sea-
board. and yet they forget that after hay-
ing controlled legislation in this country for
quarter of a century, they themselves did
absolutely nothing in that direction and
that the impetus now given to the idea of
coast defense came from Samuel J. Tilden
1t scolds about Civil Service reform. and
yet 1t forgets that not not move was made
IN that direction until an Ohio Democrat.
Mr.. Pendleton, introduced our present law.
which Republicans tried to defeat, but did
not dare to do it.
1t declares for an aggressive campaign.
and yet, does not, in it's whole declaration
OF principles, mako solitary affirmation
that Is not timid, weak and unworthy of the
party.
There arc great questions before the
country upou which the leading Republican
State might have made ringing declara-
tions. The tariff. temperance, labor. alien
land-holding, river and harbor improve
ments, internal waterways, the currency
and others equally important, are each and
all either wholly ignored or passed over
with reference so faint that il is evident
fh<a
the namby-pamby platform adopted at
Springfield will make the Republicans of
the State hang their heads for shame.
San Francisco Ata: Ben Harrison speaks
Of the Presidents LAUNDERING courage"