Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-06-26
Platform Opinion.

'.'...'|.a' s'.'. ... .'..F...a We. Pc.
"The Republican platform is u disap-
pointmeat. IL is, however, large enough
to hold everything hit Chiuamer. 1t
lacks the ring Of the Republican platform
Of l-5G and 1850, or even that OF lisa,
when a strong conviction of right and
wrong prompted every Utterance. The
evident luck Of conviction has changed q
statement Of principles into long special
plea tor the Republican party aud severe
arruignment Of the Democratic party. II
has not the sober dignity OF statesman
ship but the skiltul pleading of n
smart attorney. In some parts it * 50
mauitestly Unfair and tricky, that it is al
most an insult 10 the intelligence of the
vOt-rs Of tais country. For example, the
plank on territories says as hit at Cleye-
land, that all officers should be selected
from the bona lidc resi- cnts Of the territory
wherein they sTe To serve This was never
the policy vi the party when in power
Regarding the admission OF ter tories both
parties act about the same Colorado was
admitted IN 1876. because both parties eS'
pected the electoral vO'e. Political adj
vant1ges have always been considered Ivy
the dominant party in admitting terri
tory TO Statehood.
The plank fivJrinc silver is right, but
when it goes on to condemns tie policy Of
the Democratic administration in it's efforts
10 demoDs,iled il II absurd. Silver was
demoreuzed by 4 Republican Congress,
Since il was denOueuZni every RrpUhli-
can administration has been hostile to IT.
These are facts that every intelligent man
il possessed OF. The fret clause was su;-
hreut and was ylv6g. for the nominee
even il he should Do Sherman. The plank
on the rehabilitation OF our American mer-
chant mariue IS much ths same, The patty
did and Couid DO nothing toward tins
m the twenty-iour years 1t Vas IN power
IL proposes no change Of policy. The
condemnation Of tav Democratic admins
traliDn in not taking bold Of the Mica
rugua canal ia the same This platform
makes one long Tor the hrue"'v Of II
Greeley, the craftsmanship Of 4 L'ncoln
and the conviction ~! Sumner. The
platform ~ Of the same character ~ the
81 l-r't - 'aIts 4. N'N flht 'iiIAh'Nfh'N'a w
2; go lie belief Of the party, bu, TO catch
votes Bat because IRE history Of tie Re-
publican parts j. behind this platform, il,
has mrre Iruih IN it than the Democratic
pla,i.rm. The p'auks in favor Of hu-
man liberty, snd lrdi.~0luah,e union gi
the States, q free ballot and su honest
count a protective tariff and public land
Tor tine settler--slI call to mind the grand
achievements ard splendid history a the
rlrty. 1t ia because Of this contrast to
the tricky plauks mentioned earlier that
We cannot refrain from coudcmnIag (
small politicians who thus b-li;tle the
party ny iusinceru premises and by insiu-
cerc condemnation. Such platform
will not define the issues OF the campaign.
II will he quoted to show the Republican
party isall right on every conceivable ques-
ton, bat 4 WI not appeal TO the conscience
o. the voters. The campaign, like that Of
l--l Is likely to turn ou the supposed per
SOMA qualities OF tine candidates. Mere
th,n ever We need candidate whose life
and character are pledge 10. honest adj
minisration, intelligent grasp Of public
affairs, aud patriotic devotion 90 the pGin-
uiplss o! the Republican party