The new North-west., 1892-09-03
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN .PLATFoRM.
Adopted at the minneapolis Convention,
Juu., o. 1899

ne representatives Of the Republicans Of the /
Iiltea States, assembled in general convention
on the shores Of the Mississippi river the ever
l;Suhg bond Of an indestructiblc republic whose
glorious chapter Of history is the record OF the
Republican party. congratulate their countrymen
OH NE majestic march Of the nation under the |
oihhers inscribed with the principles OF our plat
form ol 1883 Ylndicated By victory at the polls and
prosperity in our fields, workshops and mines and
ihhke the following declaration of principles:
we ipatlirm the American doctrine Of protec- |
llofl we call lattention to its growth abroad. We
hl'iitilh lliit the prosperous condition Of our
country is largely due to the wise revenue legisla-
noil OF the Republican congress.
We believe that all articles which cannot be |
produced in the United States, except luxnres, |
should be admitted free Of duty, and that on all
imports coming into competition with the pro- |
iucts Of American labor, there should be levied
duties equal to the difference between wages |
abroad and at home We assert that the prices
OF manufactured articles Of general consumption
nave been reduced under the operations Of the
tariff act of 1890
we denoulce the efforts OF the Democratic ma
Jority OF the house Of representatives to destroy
our tariff laws by piece meal as manifested by
Their attacks upon wool, lead and lead ores, the
chel products OF Il number OF states. and we ask
the people for their Judgment thereon.
We point to the success of the Republican policy
OF reciprocity, under which our export trade has
vastly increased, and new and enlarged markets
nave been opened for the products OF our farms
and workshops
We remind the people of the bitter opposition
OF the Democratic party to this practical business
measure. and claim that, executed by a Republi-
can administration, our present laws will event
| ually give us control OF the trade Of the world
The American people, from tradition and in
teTest favor b-metasm, and the Republican
| party demands the use of both gold and silver as
standard money. with such restrictions and under
such PROVISIONS to be determined by legislation
as Will secure the maintenance Of the parity Of
Gnes ct the two metals. SO thut the purchasing
and debt-paying power Of the dollar, whether Of
silver. gold or paper, Shall be at all times equal
lhe interests OF the producers Of the country it's
farmers and its worklngmen demand that every
dollar, paper Or coin, issued by the government
shall be as good lis any other
| Wecommend the wise and patriotic steps already
taken by our government to secure an internti-
tonai conference. to adopt such measures as will
| insure !; parity OF value between gold and silver
for use Us money throughout the world.
| We demand that every citizen Of the United
states Slltill be allowed to cast one free and unrP
stricted ballot in all public elections, and that
/ such ballot Shall be counted and returned as cast;
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 soyer
| eign right guaranteed BY the constitution. The
freettna honest popular ballot the Just and equal
| representation Of all the people, tis we'll Us their
lnSt anu equal protection under the laws, are the
t foundation Of our republican institutions. aud the
party VIII never relax It's efforts until tile integrity
Of the ballot and the purity Of elections Shall be
4 fully guaranteed and protected III every state.
We denouncp the continued inhuman ontrages
\ perpplited upon American citizens for political
reasons III certain southern states Of the union
H WA favor the extension Of our foreign commerce,
| the restoration OF our mercantile marine by home
built ships, and the creation OF a navy Tor the pro
lection OF our national interests and the honor Of
| our flag; the maintenance OF the most friendly
| relations with all foreign powers, entangling
alliances With none; and the protection Of the
| rights Of our fishermen.
| We reat1irm our approval Of the Monroe doc
trna and believe in the achievement of the mani
fest destiny Of the republic in its broadest sense
i We favor the enactment OF more stringent laws
and regulations for the restriction Of criminal,
pauper and contract immigration.
We favor efficient legislation BY congress to pro-
tec1 the life and limb Of employees OF Transports
/ ton companies engaged in carrying on interstate
commerce. and recommend legislation by the
respective states that will protect employees en-
gagged in state commerce, iii mining and manu-
Il featuring.
The Republican party has always been the
/ champion of the oppressed, and recognizes the
dignity of manhood irrespective OF fifth. color or
4 nationality; it sympathizeA with the cause Of
home rule in Ireland, and protests against the
4 persecution of the Jews in Russia.
i The ultimate reliance of free popular govern
ment is the Intelligence OF the people and the
4 maintenance OF freedom among men, We there
fore declare anew our devotion to liberty OF thought
/ and conscience. OF speech and press and approve
all agencies and instrllmentalites which contrib
4 ute to the education Of the children Of the land;
i but While insisting upon the fullest measure Of
4 religious liberty we are opposed to any union OF
i church and state,
4 We rentllrm our opposition, declared in the
i Republican platform Of 1883, to all combinations
Of capital organized i'll trusts Or otherwise. to
/ control arbitrarily the condition OF trade among
! our citizens.
We heartily endorse the action already taken
upon this subject. and ask for such further legs-
lation as may be required to remedyany defects in
i existing laws, and TO render their enforcement
/ more complete and effective
/ WeHrproyp the policy Of extending to towns,
villages and rural communities the advantages Of
the free delivery service enjoyed by the larger
cities Of the country, and reutlrln the declaration
i contained IN the Republican platform OF 1883,
riedgng the reduction OF letter postage to cent
/ at .he earliest possible moment consistent with
the maintenance Of the poStoiiice department and
the highest class OF postal service,
I We commend the spirit and evidence OF reform
in the civil service; and the wise and consistent
enforcement by the Republican party OF the laws
regulating the same.
The construction of the Nicaragua canal is Of
the highest Importance to the American people.
'lnlH us Il ntlSllItA vi naIn1il defense ana TO
build np and maintain American commerce. and
it should be controlled By the United States gov
i-Prnnlpnt
We favor the admission OF the remaining terri
tories at the earliest practicable date, having due
regard to the interests OF the people OF the terri
tories aud OF the United States. All the federal
officers appointed tor the territories should be
selected from bona tide residents thereof, and the
right OF self government should be accorded as
far as practicable.
We favor the cesson. subject to the homestead
laws, Of the arid public lands to the states and
territories in which they lie. under such congress
siona restrictions as to disposition, reclamation
and occupancy by settlers as will secure the maxi
mum benefits to the people
The Worlds Columbian Exposition is a great
national undertaking. and congress should
promptly enact such reasonable legislation in aid
thereof as will insure discharge OF the expenses
and obligations incident thereto and the attain-
ment of results commensurate with the dignity
and progress OF the nation.
We sympnthize with all wise and legitimate
efforts to lessen and prevent the evils of intenl-
Npr,urtl and prOOlotp mDr.1itV