The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-10-23
Republicans and their Principles.

Our fusion opponents still pirate on
the inconsistency of free silver Repub-
licans supporting what they chose to
designate the "Gold-bug ticket" The
Republican party is still bi-metallic.
Free silver Republicans have only
modified their opinions in regard to
the manner of bringing about true
bimetallism.
The following have always been
cardinal principles in tie Republican
party: First, national sovereignty as
opposed to state rights or state sover-
eighty. Second, a protective tariff as
opposed to free trade or mere reven-
ue tariff. Third, the maintenance of
gold, silver and paper currency at
parity.
To establish the first principle cost
a million lives, great destruction of
property and the expenditure of an
immense sum of money during the
years of conflict. Can any loyal Rep
ublican consistently support a party
which violates this principle, by de-
nouncing the federal authorities for
interfering in local affairs" to protect
the lives and property of the people
from mob violence and to prevent in
reference with carrying U. S. mails
and interstate commerce?
Is it not the right and duty of the
President to protect the lives and prop
erty of the citizens of the u. S. in every
part OF its wide domain without ask
ing the consent of any local authori-
ties?
The second has been cardinal prin-
ciple of the Republican party ever
since its organization. Then how
can Republican consistently support
candidates on a platform which de-
clares in favor OF a revenue tariff head
ed by most radical free trader,-the
man who made himself ridiculous by
his antics, when the original Wilson
bill, which repealed the protective tariff
and reciprocity bill, passed the house?
Every one who has logically exam
ined the unlimited, independent, free
coinage measures proposed by the
fusionists must be convinced that it
cannon he carried out without violating
the third principle. How then can
consistent Republican, even though he
may be in favor of free coinage, sup
port policy that violates three car
dinal principles of his party.
There are several other measures
proposed by the fusionists which no
Republican can support without
stultifying himself, such as the denial
OF the right of con tract and the issu-
ance of an indefinite amount of worth
less irredeemable paper currency.
Besides the Republican party is
pledged to several other measures of
vital Importance to the co untry on
which the other are silent or actually
hostile.
The Chicago platform declares
against all issues of bonds VIII ich would
make it impossible for the government.
to construct the Nicaragua canal
A measure of such magnitude that
will require 6 to s years nefore it will
produce any revenue can only be ac-
complished by the government giving
bonds for its construction.
Again the Republican party has de-
clared In favor of a return to the
policy of discriminating duties in favor
OF our shipping which prevailed in
the early years of our history, and pro-
duced such beneficial results. These
two last measures are of more practical
benefit to this coast and especially to
the Puget Sound country than all the
silver legislation that can be enacted.
/. w. w.