Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1894-01-04
The Issnes of 1894.

Republican party in Kansas. Inc
time is fast approaching when it must
decide upon what issues and with what
kind of a ticket. it will again 60 before
the people aud ask their snffrages. 1t
is perhaps a little premature for any
one to permit his name to be "promi.
nently mentioned" IN connection with
the State ticket at this time. There
is danger that the name will get to be
a chestnut before the State convention
shall be convened. But q. is not too
early to begin aud to thoroughly dis
cuss the real issues that must nee.
essarily come before the people at the
general election next November.
There are fundamental principles that
must be maintained; there are wrongo
that must be righted.
Fortunately for the Republican
party, there never has been a time In
its history when there was any un'
certainty as to its position on the
general issues before the country. The
Republican party has never been
negative party. Its convictions are
always positive, clear ard deiDite'
For thirty years II has led-neyer
followed. Negation is contrary to
every principle Of Republicanism. One
Of the most striking illustrations OF
the fact that Republicans never take a
negative or backward step may be
,een in the conduct Of the Republicans
toward the repeal of the Sherman
. silver law. II the Republicans in
congress had seen III to oppose the
repeal of that measure, their oppose
ton TO IL would have left the Demo.
/ cratic party wholly without the ability
+ to carry out one Of the principal OF It's
= war cries during the last campaign.
But the Republican party ever looking
4 to the beat interests Of all the people,
Z ignored this opportunity to Illuminate
n the Democracy at the expense OF the
: country aud voted their convictions Of
duty. without their help Democracl
was powerless to do anything
The campaign offset, while 1t vii
4 not be strictly a National campaign
: will be fought largely on Nationa
issues, for the reason that a Nationa
a congress will bs then elected. Oh
3 National issues, tho Republican part.
Of Kansas will stand on the Natioua
platform Of 1892, in favor Of America
agains, the world OF American indus
tries and American wages for Ameri
v an iaborers; American markets f..
American producers; of honest money
{ honest elections and honest govern
ment; Republican sympathy will b,
with struggling Republicans of Hawai-
, AZ against the pretensions Of disso
; lutte and iIdmoral queen.
There will doubtless be an nttemp
on the part OF some honest but mis-
guided Republicans to load down tn,
I Republican State platform with "islns
D aud side Issues which will do harm to
D the party and no good whatever
TO the cause to which such imprudence
may commit the party.
! For instance, some well meaning Re
: publicaus are already telling us that
because the Populist party propose to
inject "woman's suffrage" into its plat.
form, that the Republicans must do
likewise. So far rs the REFLECTOR is
concerned, we are opposed to either
endorsing or condemuing the woman
unrage" amendment. Weare oppos, d
10 making fealty or opposition to
woman's snifIage test of R,publi
canism in Kansas. Its not, aud it
ought not to be made party question.
And that Republican who insists upon
making 1t party question Is not work.
ing in the interests OF the Republican
party. Let the question of suffrage be
submitted to the people upon its own
merlts. The question of extending the
right Of suffrage to one half the adults
of Kansas ought not To be dragged into
the mire Of partisan politics, but should
be discussed from a higher plane. Fit
is left out of party platforms it will go
before the people solely upon its merits
rs it should. II it Is placed In party
platforms 1t will receive. the SUPP ort aud
opposition Of thousands simply because
the party endorses or opposes it. No
fair and honest expression Of the votes
Of Kansas can be had upon this ques
ton II it IL made party issue,