New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-22
THE REPUBLICAN, PLATFORM

the Republican party, as expressed In lts pia'-
FORM received higher honor from the Conven-
ton. and kindled greater enthusiasm, than the
name of any leader, living or dead. Grand
were the responses of affection and gratitude
when the names of Lincoln and Grant, Gar
field Arthur and Sheridan were uttered. But
grander vet by far, according to the testimony
of hostile witnesses, was the outburst OF loyal
feeling when Protection of American hdus-
tries and rights was proclaimed as the prin-
ciple which the Democratic party has assalled
and upon which the Republican party appeals
to the people. For, after all, the services OF
the noblest man count for little in comparison
with the blessings secured to the Nation by
Republican principles during the last thirty
years. Yet it was most appropriate that the
Convention should honor the glorious nves
and deeds of men whose very names stand
as symbols for all that is grandest In the
Nations history. The work to which they
gave their lives is not yet completed, and
those only are anxious to forget the past who
are false in the present to the cause of Lin
coin and of Grant.
The Convention has put Mr.. Blaine into its
platform, whatever candidates it may noml-
nate. The principles for which he stands the
ideas which make him strong with the Nation,
make this grand platform a lasting memento
of his brave spirit and wise leadership. There
is no timid tenderness here for the men who
want free trade while they posture as purlsts
and platitudinize about reform OF the Clvll
Service The main ISSUE Protection or Free
Trade, is met with the courage OF men VINO
know that their principles have made the
growth and prosperity of the country great
beyond all precedent, and who believe that
American voters can be trusted to defend
American interests The explicit declaration
against the Mills bill, and against free trade
in wool, let it be noted by congressman who
hesitate was adopted unanimously, without
word of dissent or debate, in Convention
which represents the Republicans OF every
State and Territory, and which, all observers
admit, is in a peculiar degree a deliberatlve
body. The issue which Mr.. Cleveands con-
yention made with candor the Republican
party meets without the slightest hesitation or
evasion. II wisely adds the assurance that If
mower is entrusted to Republicans all needed
DEDUCTION of the National revenue will be
effected by repeating internal taxes upon to-
bacco and upon spirits used in the arts, by
more effective protection of industries now
repeal Of duties upon foreign articles which
cannot be produced in this country, and, if
there is still occasion, by the repeal of all
internal taxes. That is precisely the solution
which would be adopted in Congress at once,
by the union of many Democratic with Re-
publican members, but for the usurped die
tatorship of the President and the Speaker,
which deprives Democrats of freedom to serve
constituents
1t is a grand platform, again, because it
utters plainly the hostility of the Republican
party to those trusts and combinations by
which the best fruits of the protective system
are in some cases denied to consumers, and to
the importation of Chinese or contract labor.
by which the full fruits of the protective
system have in some localities been withheld
from labor. 1t is a grand platform because
it vindicates the Republican homestead policy,
under which millions of free settlers have been
invited to free lands, and exposes q fraudulent
pretence Of this Administration by showing
that every acre recovered by actual settlers
from corporate grants has been recovered under
Republican legislation. 1t is grand platform
because it appeals to the people, with just in
dignatiOn, against the continued disfranchise-
ment, for partisan reasons, of more than a
million honest settlers in the Territories, and
states clearly the ground upon which the adj
mission of new States is demanded as matter
of right. Denial of justice to Kansas drove
the Democratic party from power in 1860; its
first return to power is marked by denial of
justice to Dakota.
The plea for defence of sea-coastS calls from
his resting place Mr. Tilden, to witness against
Mr.. Cleveland and his party. The vigorous
plea for defence Of American rights against
foreign Powers, and especially for defence of
the rights Of American fishers, will remind
every Republican that those served Great
Britain well who elected Mr.. Cleveland. The
plea for public education, and for Just pen
sions to loyal veterans, serve to recall the hos
tile spirit in which the Democratic party has
met eff orts for both. Nor will any sincere
believer in reform of the Civil Service fail
to appreciate and relish the keen rapier-thrust
which tells pretended reformers that they have
deserted that cause, and that Republicans
will not fail to keep our pledges because
they have broken theirs, or because their can
didate has broken his"
but first of all, because necessary step
toward any and every reform in a government
by the people, the Convention demands an
honest ballot and an honest count. II is the
truth that stings when the Republican party
deliberately states that the present Admins
tration and the Democratic majority in Con-
gress owe their existence to the suppression
of the ballot by virtual notification of the
Constitution and laws of the United States"
In this, as in other declarations, the repre-
sentatives of great National party are unan-
nous. Those who can meet only with sneers
charge so grave have lost both self-respect
and regard for free institutions.
On such a platform as this-the best and
strongest statement Of Republican principles
since the days of Abraham LincOln-any
worthy candidate whose beliefs it fairly repre-
sents ought to be elected. But there are many
x.hn road 4La lix-ou Of candidateS rathnr