The record-union., 1896-06-19

pllca tion of the protective principle.
The reciprocity doctrine is reasserted,
a doctrine which in its wise application
the Record Union" has repeatedly
commended to the end that what we
produce to best advantage may be
fairly and freely exchanged for that
which we need, and that foreign coun-
vantage, thus fastering expectation and
protecting home production by enlarge
menIt of market opportunities.
The specific declarations concerning
other treatment than can be accorded in
a general and rapid review. The de-
mand for the restoration Of the impor-
mand of the American merchant marine
will be approved by all the people; the
financial plank does not declare uncon-
ditionally and arbitrarily for the single
gold standard. 1t does not go to the
radical extent for gold that the friends
of free silver coinage would have it run
for silver could they have had the fash
ioning of its expression. The word gold
occurs thrice in the plank; that the
party believes in making every dollar
of our money as good as gold; that all
currency should be maintained ait a
parity with gold; that until interna-
tional agreement can be had for free
coinage of silver the existing gold stan
dard should be maintained; but the
party pledges itself to promote the at
tainment of such International agree
ment. 1t seems to US that this is a con-
servative and judicially calm statement
OF belief. The party does not declare
for gold as sole standard; it does not
declare hostility to one metal of coinage
in favor of another metal of coinage.
Under such platform declaration if to
the party there is given the administra-
ton of affairs it will be bound to use it's
best endeavors to maintain the integrity
of all the money Of the Nation, and to
promote such international agreement
as will enable silver to be freely coined.
II this is not friendliness to true and
just bimetallism it may we'll be asked
what is?
The demand for gracious recognition
OF the veteran soldiers Of the Republic,
and their preferment in public employ
ment, is declaration in denial of the
charge that republics are ungrateful.
1t is added that the faith of the Re-
public should be kept in the award
of pensions, which should not be arbi-
trarily reduced, and that the names
of those entitled to them should not he
su11imarily dropped from the pension
lists.
The expression concerning our for
eign relations favors promotion of the
building of the Nicaragua Canal, the
maintenance of the independence of
the Hawaiian Government from any
and all foreign domination, and the
securing by purchase of a naval sta
ton in the West Indies. 1t demands
that the United States Government use
its best offices to mitigate the outrages
in Armenia, and that it protect Ameri-
can citizens and American property
abroad everywhere, AT all hazards and
any cost. Of course this must be taken
to mean protection of such interests as
in ustice are so entitled, not arbitrary
interference with the course Of COM
injustice are SO entitled, not arbitrary
wrong and unwarrantly interfere
with the affairs of place in other coun-
tries.
The faith of the parry in the Monroe
doctrine is reasserted, but the express
sion of hope in that platform that all
the English-speaking people on this
continent may be embraced in one
Union by the free consent of such peo-
pic is a sop to the friends of Canadian
and the policy of which is open to the
gravest doubt 1t is a declaration that
in our opinion was uncalled for and un-
necessary.
sympathy with the struggle of the
Cuban insurgents is expressed, and un-
questionably reflects the sentiment of
the vast majority Of the American peo-
ple, as also does the declaration that
our Government should use it's best
offices to secure peace in the island, and
the independence Of it's people from the
rule of Spain.
There is expression in favor of the
further enlargement CT the navy and
the construction Of coast and harbor
defenses. More emphasis might well
have been placed upon the importance
oil the latter, since they are conceded
by all competent authorities to be less
costly, greatly more effective for de-
fense and far less expensive for main
tenance, while of even greater import
ance, than powerful naval force, which,
however, should be sufficient to COM
mand respect and project our citizens
and their property abroad.
The measure is approved that ex-
cludes immigrants who cannot read
and write, provision that we have
believed is good as far as it goes, but
does not go far enough, even when
coupled with the elder restrictive i'm
migration law which the platform de-
,,-apdc vary rroparIy shall ha ctrfotlxy