The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1888-07-04
AsPIatform Opinion.
Colorado Springs Gazette tRep.)
uTha RannTlican nIatform

Colorado Springs Gazette tRep.)
aThe Republican platform is a
disappointment 1t is, however.
large enough to hold everything
but Cinnamon. 1t lacks the ring
of the Republican platform of 1856
and 1860, or even that of 1881, when
strong conviction of right and
wrong prompted every utterance.
The evident lack of conviction has
changed statement of principles
into long special plea for the Re-
publican party and severe arraign-
ment of the Democratic party. 1t
has not the sober dignity of states
manship, but the skillful pleading
of a smart attorney. In some parts
it is so manlfestly unfair and tricky,
that it is almost an insult to the in
telligence of the voters of this coun-
try. For example, the plank on
territories says as hit at Cleve-
land, that all ohfcers should be So
lected from the bona fide residents
of the territory wherein they are to
serve" This was never the policy
of the party when in power. Re
gardipg the admission of territories
both parties act about the same.
Colorado was admitted in 1876, be-
cause both parties expected the
ELECTORAL vote. Political advanta-
ges have always been considered
by the dominant party in admitting
a territory to Statehood
"Tho plank favoring silver is
right, but it goes on to- condemn the
policy of the Democratic admins
tration in it's efforts to demonetized
it is absurd Silver was demone-
tized by a Republican Congress.
Since it was demonetized every Re-
publican administration has been
hostile to it. These are facts that
every intelligent man is possessed
of The first clause was sufficient
and was a pledge for the nominee
! even if he should be Sherman. The
plank on the rehabilitation of our
American merchant marine is much
the same. The party did and could
do nothing toward this in the twenty
four years it was in power. 1t pro-
poses no change of policy. The
condemnation of the Democratic
administration in not taking hold
of the Nicaragua canal is the same.
This platform makes one long for
honesty of a Greedy, the statesman
ship of a Lincoln and the conviction
of Sumner. The platform is of
the same character as the st. Louis
one. Itwas not formulated to state
the belief of the party, but to catch
votes. But because the history of
the Republican party is behind this
platform, it has more truth in it
than the Democratic platform. The
planks in favor of human liberty,
and indissoluable union of the States,
a free ballot and an honest count, a
protective tariff and public land for
the settler-all call to mind the
grand achievements and splendid
history of the party. 1t is because
of this contrast to the tricky planks
mentioned earlier that we cannot
refrain from condemning the small
politicians who thus belittle the
party by insincere promises and by
insincere condemnation. Such a
platform will not define the issues
of the campaign. 1t will be quoted
to show the Republican party is all
rigkt..on every conceivable question,
but it will not appeal to the con
science of the voters. The cam
paign, like that of 1884, is likely to
turn on the supposed personal quail
tiles of the candidates. More than
ever we need candidate whose
life and character are a pledge for
honest administration, intelligent
grasp of public affairs, and patriotic
devotion to the principles of the
Republican party"
i