Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1892-06-17
AN AMERICAN PLATFORM.

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AN AMERICAN PLATFORM.
There is nothing vague or %equivocal
in the platform of the republican party
on which Benjamin Harrison again goes
before the American people. 1t is
thoroughly American, patriotic, compre-
hensive and complete. It "reafirms the
American doctrine of protection" 1t
declares that "all articles which cannot
be produced in the United States, ex-
cept luxuries, should be admitted free OF
duty, and that on all imports coming
into competition with the products OF
american labor, there should be
levied duties equal to the differ
ence between wages abroad and
at home.'' Is there a laboring
man in the United States who will not
subscribe to such a doctrine? The plat
form also "points with PRIDE" to the
reciprocity feature of the republican
tariff and reminds the people Of the bit
ter opposition of the democratic party to
this feature, which, having already
vastly increased our export trade, prom
ises in the neal future to give us con-
troll Of the trade of the world. The plat
form declares unequivocally for a sound
currency, both gold and silver, and legis-
lation that will secure the maintenances
of the parity of values of the two metals
so that the purchasing and debt
paying power of the dollar, whether
silver, gold or paper, shall be at
all times equal. The platform
declares in favor of a "free ballot and
fair count" and for the extension of our
foreign commerce, the restoration of our
mercantile marine by home-built ships
and the creation of a navy that will fully
protect our national interests. The re-
striction of pauper and contract immi-
grafton is also demanded and more
efficient legislation for the protection of
life and limb of employees of transporta-
ton companies favored. "Home rule in
Ireland" always calling for the full
sympathy of the republican party, is
given one plank and the construction of
the Nicaragua canal another. On the
prohibition question the platform is
brief, but pointed. It says: "We SYM
pathize with all wise and legitimate
efforts to lessen and prevent the evils
of intemperance and promote morality"
Certainly no good citizen of the United
States could desire less and no rampant
prohibitionist could, with reason, ask
more. On the pension question the
platform is equally brief and clear. It
says that sever mindful of the services
and sacrifices of the men who saved the
life of the nation, we pledge anew to the
veteran soldiers of the republic a watch
full care and recognition of their just
claims upon a greatful people,"
The c%ession, subject to the homestead
laws of the arid public lands, to the
states and territories in which they lie,
under proper restrictions, is favored, and
the opposition, declared in the republican
platform of 1888, to all combinations Of
capital organized in trusts or otherwise,
to control arbitrarily the condition of
trade among our citizens, ia .reafirmed.
The "spirit' of civil service is COM
mended, and the policy of extending
free delivery service to small towns as
we'll as cities, as we'll as l cent postage,
favored at the earliest practical moment.
The endorsement of President Harri-
sons administration is splendidly set
. forth in the last plank, which reads
as folio VS.:
We commend the able, patriotic and
thoroughly American administration of
President Harrison. Under itathe country
has enjoyed remarkable prosperity and the
dignity n honor of the nation at home
m abroad lave been faithfully main
tanned, and we offer the record of pledges
kept as a guarantee Of faithful perform
ance in the future.
The platform is commended on all
sides and the TRIBUNE mistakes the sen.
timent of the American people if a de-
cided majority of the votes of the nation
are not cast this fall for Benjamin Har-
rison and Whitelaw Reid.
A GOVERNOR of one of the southern