The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-05-20
REPUBLICAN PRECEPTS.
The Interest of the Laboring Man
the First Consideration.
Gov. Fifer. of Illinois, Pays a Glowing
Tribute to the Republican Party-In
Favor of Protection and
Honest Money.

In state convention at Springfield,
May 5. the Illinois republicans adopted
platform indorsing the Harrison ad-
ministration and advocating the policy
of protection, approving the immigra-
ton laws enacted by the last congress,
legislation for pensioning soldiers ofthe
late war, the repeal of the present COM
pulsory school act and arraigning the
democratic party on general principles.
Gov. Fifer was nominated for reelec-
tion, and upon being apprised of the
fact made an eloquent speech, the main
points of which are contained in the
following:
We are upon the threshold Of a campaign
which am glad TO believe will be campaign
Of education, Of calm discussion, of candid and
wise delfberation; a campaign which will turn
upon the convictions produced in the minds Of a
great and free people touching economic meas
ures and broad national policies. 1 have said
before, and repeat, il has always been my de-
sire that our opponents nominate for ofice their
best and ablest men, men who possess the
courage Of their convictions and who fully rep
resent all the theories and doctrines of the
democratic party. We want 10 meet men in
this contest who stand sQuarely by all the con-
IenllOnS anu errors OF tne democracy from
Thomas Jefferson down TO Mr.. Bland.
1t would do US but little good politically TO
beat Mr.. Hill, because he is personally distrust-
ed by his own party, but il would be great tri-
umph Of republican principles TO defeat Mr..
Cleveland or Gen. Palmer, because we believe
they are personally wrong upon the most vital
questions Of American politics. We wish TO
find no reason for voting against democratic
candidates except the fact that they are too
pandid1t- mr. WI IL In
the support of those who believe in republican
principles
We are called upon TO again defend the mu-
nificent system of American protection. Be
hind the protective system are the business in.
dustry and the business sense of these United
States. Behind IL are the homes of the work
ingmen and the hopes and aspirations of the
wage earners of the great republic. Behind
free trade are the empty vaporings Of theoris IS
who study English books, but refuse TO study
and understand American facts. Senator
Payne, of Ohio, summed up the situation better
than the democrats generally do when he said:
Protection represents the business of the
United States; free trade represents the
winds" l do not think when the question is
seriously presented to the American people that
they will move the barrier. which insures the
American market TO the product of American
labor. Protection and reciprocity will be writ
ten high on the republican banners, and by that
sign we will conquer
We are also in favor Of honest money Our
party has in the past stood for honest money as
against irredeemable paper 1t resumed specie
payment in the face of the clamorous protests
Of the democratic party. II opposed the folly of
fat money, which the democratic party was
once almost ready 10 accept for the sake OF sue
cess at the polls. So now the republicans will
stand for an honest dollar against any depreci-
ated dollar which may he offered TO cheat the
nd ha btrsf of fbe
try, whether such dollar be deprecated TO the
extent of one hundred cents or 10 the extent OF
thirty-five cents only.
Coming to our foreign relations. we find
platform ready made for Us in the mastery
course and practice OF cur present state depart
ment That superb American. Benjamin Harri
son. aided by Mr.. Blaine. the greatest statesman
of his time, has made our flag and our uniform
respected the world over. II the course OF our
state department is iingoism. then am jingo,
and the American people are all jingoes. The
administration has written our platform on
foreign affairs, and on that platform we will
proudly stand and defy all comers. Neither in
state nor in national politics can we afford TO
forget or neglect the interests OF our laboring
people. The glory Of America, hitherto, has
been the dignity and the character Of her Ia
borers.
Thank God we have here no peasant class, no
hewers OF wood and drawers of water, born 10
drudge and 10 be the progenitors Of drudges for
aristocrats and mobiles. Ne have allowed no
legal partition walls 10 stand between class and
class. The avenues 10 distinction. to wealth,
and 10 honor have been opened TO all. The best
thing about the labor system of the United
States has been that the humblest labOrer,
il industrious and worthy, could look forward
TO the time when, under the operation of wise
and equal laws, he could pass from the laborer
to proprietor, from employe 10 employer, from
yra IN 81
day for America when this can be no longer said
of cur Industrial system. What the laboring
men most appreciate is friends and not fatter-
ers, and, for one. am in favor Of maintaining
the dignity and consequence Of the American
laborer. If Legislation is necessary 10 that end
we will pass that legislation. If tariff protection
is needed to secure the American laborer his
share OF the rights and opportunities OF this new
and free country and 10 shield him against a
competition with the cheap labor of tie old
world. then we will establish that protection.
and we will maintain IL against all the on
slaughts of the democratic party. Our care for
the American laborer is not alone for the sake
of the laborer himself The interests OF all this
free country unite in admorishing US 10 main
tain among us laborerS who can live in dignity
and hope, and who can see under our industrial
system sufficient prospect for themselves and
families TO make them patriotic citizens There
will be some discontented ones under any gov
ernment, however wise and good. but ours is
the task to see TO il well that none shall com
plain justly, and that the humblest laborer in
the land may see before him equal oppOrtuIi-
ties secured By equal and Just laws.
The republican party has nothing 10 fear and
nothing to cover up II we cannot win by a
frank avowal of principles in a fair, open fight,
we ought TO be beaten. Let Us then remain true
10 the history of our great party. Let US stand
firmly by its teachings and the people Will again
crown our efcrts with victory.