New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-19
THE PLATFORM.

The Republican National platform IS nagnh-
cent 1t has the surprising merit of stating the
beliefs and purposes of the party OH the main
issues with absolute clcarncss and with CON
vlncing power. 1t is platform which VIII win
votes in every part of the land; among Free
Traders by its startling contrast OF Republican
prosperity with Democratic prOstratiOn; among
patriotic Americans of every section by it,
rcsoutc and frank but reasonable assertion Of
American rights. and even among strong silver
men by its fearless aVoWal Of hostility To- free
coinage without International agreement De
cause The monetary standard cannot be lowered
without ncalculablc wrong 10 the millions
Other platforms have contained more rhetoric
but few. If any. have contained a more effective
appeal 10 the justice and the reason Of the pco-
pie. Many have remarked already, rs II 1t were
strange that tie platform reads like Mckin-
lcys speeches. But the real leader IS he whose
reasoning and motives sink down into the minds
of multitudes and become their own for He.
The recital Of results OF unrcstrancl Demo
cratic rule, tried FOR the first time since the
civil War. II a terrible arralgnmcnt. which
might seem eXtravagant If personal experience
had not taught the Millions that ii Is true All
statistics. all arguments have little weight
compared with the practical knowledge which
voters have Of their own individual losses. and
that know ledge has turned something like Il
million Of them from Democracy 10 Kcpub-
licanism. No other change has ever occurred
in the condition OF the people so severe and 50
general that which this arralgnmcnt de-
scribcs. 1t forms the foundation OF a plea for
American industrial Independence. and. as be-
fits the occasion and the candidate, that plea
is an argument SO powerfully appealing to the
reason Of men who know their own bitter
experience that ii must stand through the
campaign by far the most important part OF
the PLATFORM he Convention was wise In
distinctly rejecting the idea that the schedules
thought necessary six years ago must be pre-
ferred by n Republican Congress next year or
the year nftcr. The practical adaptation Of
rates must be governed by business conditions
not yet known. but the ruling and uncompro-
missing principle OF the party IS that which In
its day shaped the Mckinley tariff
The declaration as to money is so strong and
appeals so convncingly to the thoughts OF In
telligent Western men, that 1t IS recognized rs
not the production Of any Eastern delegate. 1t
IS known 10 have been prepared by the mmedi-
ate friends of Major Mckinley, and while he
is in no sense responsible for it, It undoubtedly
expresses his precise personal wishes. The
language is vigorous and compact; Republican
resumption In 1879 made every dollar az good
as gold: every measure calculated to dcbase
the currency Is opposed, and therefore free
coinage Of silver except by international agree
ment and until such agreement can be OBJ
tanned the existing gold standard must be pre-
served All who examine the platform will
agree that 1t could not have been more strong
for any except the silver monometallists, or
the gold monometallists. who want no efforts
for international bimeialllsm.
Reciprocity has been made by Republican
legislation distinct feature OF Protection and
the evil results OF its unwarranted revOca ton
are properly reviewed, as we'll as the bad faith
of Democrats in repudiating the pledge OF Gov
eminent to sugar producers. Protection IS espe
cially assured TO wool-growers as well rs to
the manufacturers of the finest woollens Re-
vival of shipbuilding by discriminating duties
defence of labor by restricting undesirable i'm
| migration, by National arbitration for lines of
transportation, and by return TO the free home
stead system, are declared parts of the Pro
tective policy. But abroad as well as at home
every American has interests which demand
defence The foreign policy announced Is tenn
perate and just, but so rcsolutc and patriotic
that IL will touch the deepest feeling OF the
Nation No European encrOachment on this
continent; absolute protection Of American
"citizcns and American property everywhere
'at all hazards. and ut any cost no foreign
Interference with Hawaii construction Of the
Nicaragua Canal by Government: purchase OF
the Danish Islands, and active use Of Influence
"and good offices to restore peace and give in
dependence to Cuba"-these are the salient
points. That genuine AmcrIcanism denounces
Democratic injustice to pensioners. and favors
enlargement of the Navy and complete coast
and harbor defence, Is but phase of the fact
that the party Of Protection means to protect
In all essentials 1t ID q progressive. q thor.