Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1896-06-25

AmeTICAn CIIIZens pTOptTTy
be absolutely protected at all hazards and al
we reassert the Monroe doctrine In its full
extent and We reafiirm the right OF the United
States 10 give the doctrine effect by responding
to the appeals OF any American stete for friendly
Intervention in case OF European encroachment.
We have not interfered and shall not interfere
with the existing possessions OF any European
pc wer in this hemisphere. but those possess,tls
must not on any pretext be extended. we
hopefully look forward 10 the eventual with
drawal OF the European powers from this hem
isphere, and TO the ultimate union OF all Eng
disappearing parts OF the continent by the free
consent OF its inhabitants.
From the hour of achieving their own mae
pendence the people of the United states have
regarded with sympathy the struggles OF other
American peoples 10 free themselves from Eu,
ropean domination. We watch with deep anu
abiding interest the heroic battle of the Cuban
patriots against cruelty and oppression, anu
our best hopes go out for the full success OF
their determined contest for liberty
The government OF Spain. having lost control
OF Cuba, and being unable to protect the prop
erty or lives OF resident American citizens, OF
TO comply with its treaty Obligations, we be-
lieve that the government OF the United states
should actively use its influence and good OF
fees TO restore peace and give independence 10
the island.
the maintenance of it's rightful influence among
the nations OF the earth demand . naval power
commensurate with its position add RESPONSE
bility. We therefore favor the Tcntinued en-
largement OF the navy and "a cS',plete system
OF harbor and coast defensos.
For the protection Of the quality OF our Amer
lean citizenship and of the wages of our work
ingmen against the fatal competition OF low
priced labor we demand that the immigration
laws be thoroughly enforced, and 50 eNtenuei
TO exclude from entrance TO the Irited
states those who can neither read nor write
The civil service law was placed on the
statute book by the Republican party which
has always sustained 1t. and We renew our
repeated declarations that II shall be thorough
~ and honestly enforced and extended Wherever
practicable.
we demand that every citizen OF the United
States shall he allowed TO cast one free ana I'M
restricted ballot. and that such ballot snail De
counted and returned as cast.
We proclaim our unqualified condemnation OF
the uncivilizcd and barbarous practice wen
known lynching or killing Of human beings
suspected or charged with crime, without due
process OF law.
we favor the creation OF a national beard OF
arbitration TO settle ana adjust differences which
may arise between employers and employees en-
gagged in interstate commerce
We believe in an immediate return to the free
homestead policy Of the Republican party, ana
urge the passage by congress Of the satisfac-
tory free homestead measure which has already
passed the house and is now pending In the
senate.
we favor the admission Of the remaining ter
ritories at the earliest practicable date, having
due regard to the interests of the people of the
territories and of the United States. All the
federal officers appointed for the territories
should be elected from bona flde residents there
OF. and the right of self government should be
accorded far practicable.
We believe the citizens of Alaska should have
representation I'm the congress of the United
States TO the end that needful legislation may
be ntelligently enacted.
we sympathze with all wise and legitimate
efforts TO lessen and prevent the evils of intern
perance and promote morality.
The Republican party is mindful OF the rights
and interests of women. Protection of Ameri-
can Industries includes equal opportunities
equal pay for equal work, and protection TO the
hoae. We favor the admission OF women TO
wider spheres of usefulness and welcome their
cooperation in rescuing the country from Dem
ocratic and Populist acknowledgement and mis-
rule.
Such are the principles and policies OF the
Republican party. By these principles we viii
abide and these policies we VIII put into execu-
ton We ask for them the considerable Judg-
ment OF the American people. Confident alike
in the history OF our great party and in the
justice of our cause, We present our platform
and our candidates in the fun assurance that
the election will bring victory TO the Republican
party and prosperity TO the people of the United
The audience and delegates followed
the reading with intense interest. The
reference TO the miniStration of Ben
jamin Harrison evoked the first demon
stration, but louder still came the roar
when words of the Platform pledged the
party again to the doctrine of protection
in the interest of American labor and
American industry The reference to the
restoration of the policy of reciprocity
as the twin brother of protection also
came in for a round of applause. Pro-
lection to the sugar industry aroused the
Louisiana delegation to cheers, and the
merchant marine plank brought the
Maine, Maryland and Massachusetts dele
cations to their feet with three cheers
The first sentence of the platform pledg-
ing the party TO Sound money" started
a great uproar among the delegates on
The floor, but the galleries did not par
ticipate until unalterable opposition TO
the free coinage of silver was read. Then
the delegates, led by. Senator Lodge and
Col. w. A. Stone, of Pennsylvania, rose
en- maSSe. Fans, canes, hats waved wild
ly until the pit looked like a hurricane
tossed sea, and the galleries roared their
approval. For two minutes the tumult
continued. The mention of the gold
standard" while received enthusiastically
by the Maine, Massachusetts. Connecti-
cut and New York delegations did not
arouse such great enthusiasm. Hawaii
and the Monroe doctrine were applauded,
but the enthusiasm over the Cuban plank
was general disappointment. A very
interesting incident occurred, however,
in this connection. AS tue plank was
read Col. Fred Grant, who sat on the
platform with the distinguished guests,
the flag of the Cuban revoutionists that
was presented by the Cuban junta to
James Creelman, the American cores
pendent, when he was eXiled by Gen.
Weyler. There was something particu-
larly appropriate in Col. Grants action,
as II was largely owing to the efforts of
his father. Gen. Grant, that Spain was
compelled TO make peace with the revo-
lutionists i'm the ten-years war. The in
vitation to the women of the country to
help the Republican party to redeem 1t
from Democracy and Populism was given
a good-natured cheer, and the motion
which Senator Foraker made to adopt
the platform was also cheered
After the demonstration caused by the
reading OF the platform to the conven-
ton mad ceased, the chairman announced
that he would recognize to move a substi-
tute Tor the majority report, the gentle
man from Colorado, Mr.. Teller. The
name of Teller set the westerners wild
ana at once they were on their feet, wav-
ing hats. flags umbrellas fans and
handkerchiefs, and shrielxing like mad
men. The fire spread TO the galleries and
swept across them until they seemed to
be almost unanimously carrying the
cheer. Finally the western delegates
tired OF their work and sank back into
their seats. Then there fell over the
house deep, profound calm. for history
was to be made. The people listened TO
man, while the clerk proceeded TO read
the substitute platform, as follows:
we, the Undersigned, members of the COM
mittce on resolutions being unable TO agree
treats OF the subject OF coinage and finance re-
spectfuly submit the following paragraph as
"A substitute therefor. The Republican party
favors the use of both gold and silver as equal
standard money ana pledges it's power to se-
cure the free, unrestricted and Independent elm
age Of gold and silver at United States minis
at the ratio Of 10 to | OF gold.
Senator Teller. as he stood on the plat
form TO make his final protest against
the adoption Of gold standard policy,
was a striking figure. Tall gaunt ne
wore the old-fashioned frock coat of the
old-time statesman. His face was deeply
furrowed with lines of thought and no
one who beheld him as he stood and sur
rendered all OF his old associations for
"A deep conviction on a single topic,
doubted his honesty of purpose He was
-