Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-08-29
TIE REPUBLICAN IDEA.
Happy AHusions Contained In the Penn.
sylvania Platform.

Happy illusions Contained In the Penn
sylvania Platform.
The gentle reminder which the plat
form of the Republican convention
gives to the foolish free traders who
are striving to delude themselves and
others into a belief that protection is
losing strength among the industrial
classes is in these words: 1.-The doc
trines enunciated at Chicago in June,
1888, by the National Republican
party received the Endorsement of the
people at the polls in the following
November. Upon them the Keystone
State set the seal of approval by &c.
600 majority"
We think that these are the best
opening sentences which the wit of
man can devise for a declaration of
Republican faith and purpose The
doctrines enunciated in Chicago were
approved in New York, which in 1884
had given Democratic plurality, and
by Pennsylvania, and by Ohio, and by
Illinois, and in each of these FIVE
States all the great factors of indus
try. agriculture, mining, manufactur-
ing. shipping and commerce are
peculiarly prosperous. They are
seats OF widely diversified industries,
and, with very few exceptions, the
growth of Republican sentiment was
not less observable in the cities than
in the counties. The Middle States
voted for Harrison and protection as
zealously and successfully as the West
ern, and even in the Southern States
there wns a marked increase of the
Republican vote. ''The doctrines
enunciated at Chicago in June, 1888,
by the National Republican party"
are sound enough to weather the
campaign of 1892. ..E.s
A just measure of local pride in
well doing is manifest in one OF these
declarations: 1--WE greatly rejoice in
the National victory of 1888 for two
fold reason: First, because it was
fought and won under Pennsylvania
leadership and upon a Pennsylvania
platform; and, second, because the
executive and legislative power in the
Union has thereby been restored to
the Republican party, which within a
period of less than thirty years has
rescued the country from the perils of
rebellion. of treacherous reconstruc-
ton. of financial dishonor, and of
reckless industrial legislation. All of
which were distinctly involved in the
policy or acts of the Democratic party
as now governed"
Republicans throughout the land
join with their brethren in Pennsyl-
vania in ascribing merit to the dis
tinguished chairman Of the National
Committee. And the Republican
party at large accepts the happy allu-
sion of the Pennsylvania platform to
1.-The Democratic party as now
governed" as truly descriptive. That
party in 1889 is as completely under
control of the sectional leaders of
a solid South as it was in 1859
1t now, as then. is pledged to acts
of financial disbonor and of reckless
industrial legislation" Pennsylvania
Democrats" says the Republican plat
form of the State, until recently have
claimed the unique distinction of being
Democratic protectionists. At last,
however, the controlling element. not
only in the Nation but in the State,
has unequivocally announced its an
tagonism to protection. Not even to
conciliate Mr.. Randall and his follow
ers would those who had succeeded to
that control of the Democratic party
which John c. Calhoun and Jefferson
Davis long held abate one jot of their
authority. The enmity to a manu-
featuring policy and the admiration of
a planting aristocracy enjoying the
fruits of cheap labor is as vigorous as
ever in the hearts of the Southern
politicians who regulate the actions
and formulate the creed OF Democracy.
at is our duty" continues the plat
form, Ito take advantage of this issue
and to press home this living issue.
We will deal Democracy its death
blow in Pennsylvania" The National
Republican party awaits the realization
of this patriotic prophecy.-Chicago
Inter Ocean.