New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-10
THE PLATFORM.


The Republican National platform reported
by the Committee on Resolutions is worthy OF
the magnificent record of the party. There is
not back ward step. not an evaSive utterance
on the great issues before the people but on
each a frank and manly declaration of pur-
poses Fifty it begins by congratulating the
people :" on the majestic march of the Nation"
under the principles avowcd in 1855, vindl-
Gated by victory at the polls and prosperity in
our fields. workshops and mines"
The platform on the Tariff embodieS con-
vncing argument. 1t declares that the pros
perity of the country is largely due to the
wise revenue legislation of the Republican
Congress-" and that "the prices of manufact-
ured articles of general consumption have been
reduced under the operation of the Tariff Act
of 1890" 1t maintains that on all imports
competing with products of American labor
"there should be levied duties equal to the
difference between wages abroad and at home"
and denounceS the Democratic effort to destroy
Protection by pecemeal legislation. II holds
that under the Republican policy of Reel
procty' export trade has increased. and now
and enlarged markets have been opened for the
products of our farms and Workshops" The
bitter Democratic opposition to this practical
business measure is noted, and it is affirmed
that "our present laws will eventually give
us control of the trade Of the world" The
platform gives frank expression TO the pride
of Republicans in the grand work Of the Con-
gress of 1890, and appeals without hesitation
to the results of that work thus far realized.
The declaration on the Silver question is
equally free from evasive ambiguity. 1t de-
mands maintenance of the parity Of values
of the two metals" used as money % so that
the purchasing and debt paying power of the
dollar whether of silver. gold or paper, shall
be at all times equal" The legislative re-
stlictions and provisions to that end !he plat
form properly refrans from prescribing, since
these must change with circumstances, but the
principle governing Republican action is de-
cared to be that every dollar, paper or coin,
issued by the Government, shall be as good as
any other"
With the same manly courage. the platform
demands one free and unrestricted ballot"
for every citizen, and that such ballot shall
be counted and returned as cast" TO this end
the party demands that such laws shall be
enacted and enforced as will secure to every
citizen, be he rich or poor native or foreign
born, white or black, this sovereign right guar
anteed by the Constitution This right as a
citizen of the United States exists, and is con-
sttutonally guaranteed, not in Presidential or
Congressional elections only but " in all pub
lie elections" and it is firmly declared that
the party will not cease its efforts until the
purity of elections shall be " fully protected in
every State"
The admirable declarations of principle and
purpose on these main questions are supple
mented by brief statements Of Republican doc
trinc on topics less important. Extension of
foreign commerce and the creation Of a Navy
are favored, with 'morc stringent laws re-
speeding " criminal, pauper and contract-labOr
immigration" Against all trusts or other com
binations " to control arbitrarily conditions of
trade" further legislation is proposed to rem
edy any defects of existing law. Always the
champion of the oppressed, the Republican
party sympathzes with Home Rule for Ireland
and with prosecuted Jews in Russia. On the
School question. while all agencies contributing
to the education of children are favored, with
" the fullest measure of religious liberty the
platform opposes any union of Church and
State" All wise and legitimate efforts to les
sen and prevent the evils of intemperance are
encouraged. Other clauses favor cheap post
age and free delivery in towns, consistent en-
forcement of laws for Civil Service Reform, the
control of the Nicaragua Canal by the United
States, the selection of Territorial officers from
actual residents, the cession of arid public lands
to the States and Territories, and reasonable
aid to the Worlds Exposition
At the hour OF writing the convention has
yet to pass upon the report, and in some feat
ures it may be modified. But changes can
hardly be made that will render the platform
unworthy of high praise, as a strong, cou-
rageOus and truthful statement of the convic-