The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1888-06-23
The Republican Party Platform.

The Republican Party Platform.
The Baltimore San of Friday says: The
very voluminous platform adopted by the
| Chicago convention is designed, of course, to
be recital of the achievements of the Re-
publican party and an arraignment of the
party now in power. 1t is, therefore, emf
nently proper that it indulge in eulogy upon
those who have made it famous in the past,
| for its chief comfort now and for some years
| TO come must be derived from reflection upon
the names and deeds of those who are associ-
| ated with its past history. The country will
I therefore appreciate the sentiment which
induced the convention to 'fcover with wreaths
of remembrance and gratitude Grant, Gar
field, Logan, Conkling and Sheridan. They
seem to have more trouble, however, in deal
ing with the living, and when we turn our
attention to the issues they have presented,
upon which the judgment Of the people is
asked, we are amazed at the effrontery and
folly which equally characterize the most
important The tribute to the importance of
free ballot" will not, of course, be under
rated, but there will come ugly memories of
the days when free ballot under Republican
rule was an impossible thing in some locali-
ties. Besides which, there is a suspicion
abroad that the Democratic party attaches
some importance to the same thing, and that
not called upon to vindicate the freedom Of
the ballot.
Next in order, and of far greater conse-
quenee than all else, is the tariff plank of the
platform. Here there is no bubble, and the
declaration that "we are uncompromisingly
in favor of the American system of protec
ton" sounds the keynote of the canvass. If
the platform stated with candor and fairness
the Democratic doctrine upon this subject it
| he,. 1.ka1l L. Al.ra ,ko.
ed it, but it not only s'protests against its
destruction, (of protection as proposed by
the President and his party" but it charges
at the close that the prosperity of our work
ingmen is seriously threatened by the free
! trade policy of the present administration.
Hence the conclusion sought to be drawn that
the Republican party supports the interests
| Of America" while the president and his
I party serve the interests of Europe" When
we recall the fact that the Mills bill, which is
really the Presidents message of last winter
formulated into practicable shape, and hence
represents both the president and his party"
establishes a tariff averaging about 40 per
cent, which is far in excess Of any tariff rate
known in times of peace prior to the war, it
seems to require pretty hard cheek to call
this the "free-trade policy of the administra-
ton" Misrepresentation of an adversary
rarely strengthens ones own position, and it
is difficult to understand what the cry of free
trade" under such circumstances, is expected
to accomplish among thinking and intelli-
gent people. But the Republican position is
fully set forth, and it is summarized in the
brief sentence, "the protective system must
be maintained" In order to do this the plat
form advocates the repeal Of the internal
revenue tax on tobacco, and if necessary upon
spirits also, rather than touch the protective
system"
Free tobacco and free whskey, but do not
touch the duties which make clothing and
other necessaries of life unnecessarily dear to
the consumer. The Democratic party will
welcome the issue thus rendered. Believing
duty to be in the nature of tax for the
needs Of the government, it has declared that
it shall be as light as possible, and especially
so upon the necessaries of life; that its pri-
mary purpose is not protection to the indus
tries of the country, but that in arranging it
such industries, together with the labor en-
ployed, ought to receive such incidental pro-
teotion as is possible. A tariff for protection
on one hand, and a tariff for such revenue
only as the government requires on the other,
are thus presented as the distinct policies of
the parties. The Republican platform ad-
vocates the expenditure of the surplus in ap-
preparations which it demands for rebuild.
ing the navy, constructing Notifications, more
pensions to the soldiers, building works of
national Importance, improving harbors and
rivers, and, singularly enough, for the ''pay-
ment of the maturing public debt With
the government in the market buying its I'M
matured bonds at an enormous premium, in
order to get rid of this very surplus and keep
the channels of trade supplied with money, it
is simply ridiculous to talk about providing
for the redemption of the maturing public
debt. The platform further deprecates
"trusts" and Combines such as have re-
suited from the Republican policy of protec-
ton by means of high tariff, but it is scarcely
logical to insist upon continuance of the
cause and bemoan the necessary effect. The
present administration is charged with "inef.
ficiency and cowardice'' in the conduct of our
foreign affairs, and with the 'pusillanimons
surrender" of the privileges of our fishing
vessels in Canadian ports, all of which sounds
formidable, and would be if there was any
foundation for either charge. The platform,
in addition to much else, pays its respects to
''the men who abandoned the Republican
party in 1884 and continue to adhere to the
De mocratic party" and it declares that they
"have deserted the cause of honest govern
ment, of sound finance, of freedom or purity
of the ballot, but especially the cause of re-
form in the civil service"
This of course, refers to that class of voters
who are known as independents" or "Mug-
wumps," class for whom Mr.. Curtis has
recently spoken, rot only before the National
Reform League, but through the columns of
Harper's Weekly. 1t is scarcely to be won
dered at that the Republican party should
answer his caustic comments upon them, but
to charge those who have made civil-service
reform their party shibboleth with having de-
serted it is not calculated to strengthen pub
lie confidence in the many remarkable state
ments the platform contains. We incline,
however, to agree with it in one particular
it recommends ''the reduction of letter postage
to one cent" and in view of this we venture
to express the opinion that, take it as
whole, the platform is penny wise and pound
foolish"