The San Francisco call., 1896-06-19

which cannot be said of the platform of
any other political organization in this or
any other country" He also said: ''This
contest we enter into is for the main
tenance of protection and reciprocity"
Among the speakers at the convention was
Fred Douglass.
Only one ballot was necessary to deter
mine the choice of the convention for
the Presidential nomination. That bal
lot resulted as follows: Harrison 535,
Mckinley 183, Blaine 175, Reed 4, Lincoln
l. On motion of Mckinley the nomina-
ton of harrison was made unanimous.
Whitelaw Reid was nominated for Vice
President by acclamation.
The Republican National platform re-
affirmed the American doctrine of pro-
lection and called attention to its growth
abroad, pointed to 1.-The success of the Re-
publican policy Of reciprocity, under
which our export trade has vastly in
creased, and new and enlarged markets
have been opened for the products of the
farms and workshops; and called atten-
ton to ''the bitter opposition of the Demo-
cratic party to this practical measure";
demanded the use of both gold and silver
as standard money; demanded freedom
of the ballot; denounced 'inhuman out
RACES perpetrated upon American citi.
zens for political reasons in certain
Southern States of the Union"; favored
he extension of foreign commerce; con-
demned trusts; commended civil service
reform; enunciated that ''the construction
of the Nicaragua canal is of the highest
importance to the American people as a
measure of defense and to build up and
maintain American commerce ana it
should be controlled by the American
Government"
The Democratic convention at Chicago
nominated Grover Cleveland and Adlai E.
Stevenson for President and Vice Pre- ST.
dent respectively. The Democratic plat
form embraced many provisions. Gre
publican protection" was declared to be "a
fraud" and the Mckinley tariff law, en-
acted by the Fifty-firs Congress, was de-
seribed as ''the eliminating atrocity of
classlegislation. The repeal of the 1G
per cent tax on State bank issues was
recommended. There were many other
provisions, which are well recollected by
voters.
The popular vote was as follows: Cleve-
land 5.553, 142, Harrison 5, ,1S6, ,931, Bidwell
(Pro.) 268, ,361, Weaver (People's) 1,038, 128
CIeveland's plurality over Harrison was
366, ,211. The electoral vote was: Cleve-
land 276, Harrison las, Weaver %.
The words of George S. Boutwell,, taken
from his work entitled "Why am Re-
publican" may itly find space here:
1t the Republican party accepted power
when the industries of the country we're in-
significant in volume, limited in variety and
paralyzed by the constant and vigorous war
fare upon every measure designed to foster
labor or to add to the security of capital en-
ployed in the manufactures and trade. The
country was enslaved to the idea that agri-'
culture might prosper while manufactures
were neglected.
1t accepted power when the country was on
the eve of gigantic war, and when all the
conditions and circumstances were unfavor-
able to its successful prosecution.
II has administered the Government during
g fourth part of its constitutional existence.
In that period the res ources of the country
have been SO developed, its industries so null
tiplied and magnifed that the era is marked
as one OF unexampled prosperity. In that
period a new generation of men has come
upon the stage, who cannot, out of their own
experience institute either contrasts or COM
parsons between the near ana the more
mote past.
have sought TO address myself to that class
in one view, the beneficial changes that have
been wrought by the Republican party in con-
stitutional law, in public policy, in the educa-
tional and industrial condition OF the people,
and, above ALL in the sentiment of nationality,
which is better security for the preserva ton of
the Union than can be had in statutes and con-
stitutons.
The opening sentences of the seventh
Republican National platform. which was
adopted at Chicago, June 5, 1880, make
up presentation of history of Republican
achievements which has much of historical
interest.
The Republican party in National Conven-
ton assembled, at the end Of twenty years
since the Federal Government was first COM
mitted to its charge, submits to the people OF
the United States this brief report of its adj
ministration. 1t suppressed rebellion which
had armed nearly million men to subvert
the Federal authority. It reconstructed the
Union of the States with freedom, instead of
slavery, as its cornerstone. 1t transformed
lOOO,O0O human beings from the likeness of
things 70 the ranks Of citizens. It relieved
Congress from the infamous work of hunting
fugitive slaves and charged 1t to see that slaV-
cry does not exist.
It has raised the value of your paper cur
rency from 3s per cent to the par value Of
gold. 1t has restored upon a solid basis pay
nent in coin for all the National obligations,
and has given US a currency absolutely good
and equal in every part OF our extended coun-
try. 1t has lifted the credit of the Nation from
the point where & per cent bonds sold at Sc to
that where per cent bonds are eagerly sought
at premium. Under its administration rail-
ways have increased from 81 900 miles in 1860
TO more than $4,000 miles in 1879.
Our foreign trade has increased from $780,
OoO, 900 to 81 ,15O, ,0OO, 600 in the same time;
and our exports, which were $20,000,000 less
than our imports in 1860, were 1864 900 900
more than our imports in 1879. Without re-
sorting to loans it has, since the war closed,
betrayed the ordinary expenses of Govern
ment, besides the accruing interest on the
public debt, and disbursed annually more
than $50 900, 900 for soldiers pensions 1t has
paid $SsS, 100000 of the public debt, and by
refunding the balance at a lower rate of inter-
est has reduced the annual interest charge
from nearly $151, 100000 to less than $780,
600, 900. All the industries of the country have
revived, labor is in demand and throughout
the entire country there is evidence of COM
ing prosperity greater than we have ever en-
joyed.