The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1893-08-12
THE DUrY on REPUBIf0l

LHb LUX OF hEfO0LLCN
Congress has convened in special
session in Washington City, and is
to undertake the task of applying
some remedy to the financial distress
suffered by the country. This extra
session was called by President Cleve-
land, who. in his message emphasized
the fact that the nation was in such a
condition that needed immediate re-
lief, and in this the executive acted
wisely and performed his duty under
the constitution.
While it IS patriotic for members of
congress to consider only the public
welfare in this emergency, the Repub-
lican party, which was defeated at the
polls last November, is in no manner
responsible for the condition of affairs
now existing, and which has spread
calamity broad cast over the land.
When President Harrison gave up the
reins of government every branch
of industry was in prosperous COLI
dltion, and public confidence was un-
shaken. No sooner had the adher-
ents of the Chicago platform been
placed in power than a spirit of dis
trust pervaded all branches of business,
and soon crash followed crash in
money centers, until values became
deprecated, factories closed down,
hanks suspended, and ruin stared the
people in the face Any one can draw
his own conclusion from these facts,
and make his own inference as to the
effect of the change in administration.
1t is true that the electors of the
United States, by an overwhelming
majority, endorsed the principles of
Democracy last fall; but, it is presum-
able from subsequent events, that they
were mistaken in their judgment, and,
if it were possible to have a general
election this year free trade and BIZ
metalism would be buried so deeply
In public obloquy that it would be i'm
possible TO bring them to the surface
for the next half century. The blame
for the disastrous condition of affairs
has been laid on the Sherman silver
purchase act, aud this may be unwise
in the present unsettled state of pub
lie confidence; but. it has been in oper-
alton since 1890, and no disastrous
effects were felt until Mr. Cleveland
was inaugurated. This is simply
statement of historical events, and
they cannot be considered partisan IN
that they color facts prejudicial to
truth or in favor of any political or
ganization.
The Republican party has never
lacked in patriotism in making any
sacrifice for the benefit Of the country.
and will not in this emergency adhere
to any principle which it honestly be
lieves will work an injury to the re-
public and to the wage earning clti-
zens. It will undoubtedly favor the
repeal of the Sherman bill, which was
passed at the time as a compromise
measure to save the country from
suffering the evils of Democratic free
coinage; but it will not retact, in the
least, It's firm belief IN the policy of
protection as the only safe and ad-
visable one for the nation to follow.
For mere than thirty years it man
aged governmental affairs, and exper-
fence has proved it's theories abso-
lutely safe and sound. There is not a
single plank in any national platform
that has been adopted by it slnce 1860
that has not been proved by the logic
of historical events to have been pa
triotic, and to have been for the ad-
vancement and prosperity Of the
country and people.
During the stormy days which may
be experienced in the national
capitol for the next few weeks the
duty of Republicans Is PLAIN. The
silver purchase act is doomed, and it
must meet it's fate. This will receive
the hearty appreciation of the people,
and is in conformity with the tradi-
tions of the Republican party when
it stood like solid phalanx in favor
of sound currency-at par in the
markets of the world-against the
tempest that ragged around 1T, caused
by the advocates of equitable adjust
ment of the public debt and greenback
imitation; but the tarIff must not be
repealed or modified, and no Repub-
lican must aid by his vote the inaug-
uration Of an era of free trade. The
party has been unequivocally opposed
to it since its inception, and no new
path must be marked out for it to fol-
low now. In few words, let Demo
Gratis and Populists howl and rage for
free coinage and free imports, Repub-
licans must stand true to their coun-
try's welfare by being anchored to
their party platform. This is patriot
ism, for the history of the success of
the republic since 1861 has been the
history of the Republican party.
EDTTORIAT NOTRS