The herald., 1896-09-10
touched the high water mark of our ma

touched the high water mark of our ma
tional prosperity, we were under the
same financial system that we have to-
day. Gold was then the sole standard
and silver and paper was freely used as
the common currency. We had tariff
framed by Republican hands under the
direction of the great statesman who
now logically leads the contest for a res
toration of the policy whose reversal
brought paralysis to so many of our in
dustries and distress upon so large a
body of our people. We were under the
policy of reciprocity, formulated by an
other illustrious statesman of the genu-
inc American type. We may. If We
choose to do SO, return to the prosperous
times which existed before the present
administration came into power.
My sincere conviction is that my
countrymen will prove wise enough to
understand the issues that confront
them and patriotic enough to apply
safe and sure remedies for the evils that
oppress us.
They will not, I am sure, accept again
at their face value the promises of a
party which, under desperate and per-
Verted leadership. has so recently dds
honored its solemn pledges, which has
repudiated the principles and policies
which have given it a historic past ana
the success of which, as it is now con-
sttuted, would endanger at home pri-
vate security and the public safety and
disastrously affect abroad both our
credit and good name.
And foremost among those who will
decline to follow where the new Democ-
racy leads will be thousands Of men
Democrats aforetime and Democrats
today-who count country more than
party and are unwilling, even by indi-
rection, to contribute to results so dis
astrous to our most sacred interests.
The platform of the national Republic
can convention states the party position
concerning other questions than those
herein referred to. These, while at the
present time of subordinate Importance,
should not be overlooked. The Repub-
lican party has always been the defend
er of the rights of American Citizen
ship, as against all aggressions what
ever, whether at home or abroad. 1t
has, to the extent of its power, defend-
ed those rights and hedged them about
with law. Regarding the ballot as the
expression and embodiment of the SOW
ereignty of individual citizens, it has
sought to safeguard it against assault
and to preserve its purity and integ-
rity. In our foreign relations 1t has
labored to secure to every man entitled
to the shelter of our flag the fullest eX-
ercise of his rights consistent with in
ternational obligations. If it should be
restored to rulership 1t would infuse
needed vigor into our relations with
powers which have manifested con-
tempt and disregard, not only of Amer
ican citizenship, but of humanity itself.
The Republican party has always
stood for the protection of the American
home. 1t has aimed to secure it in the
enjoyment OF all the blessings of re-
munerated industry, Of moral culture,
and of favorable physical environ
ment 1t was the party which institut-
ed the policy of free homesteads. and
which holds now that this policy should
be established, and that the public
lands yet vacant and subject to entry
in any part of the national territory
| should be preserved against cooperative
aggression as homes for the people. 1t
realizes that the safety of the state lies
in the multiplication of households and
the strengthening of that sentiment of
which the virtuous home is the best en-
bodiment; and it will aim to dignity
and enlarge by all proper legislation this
element of security.
II elected to the position to which
| have been nominated, it will be my ear
nest and constant endeavor, under di-
vine guidance, in the sphere of duty
| assigned to me, to serve the people 10y
| ally along the line of the principles and
| policies of the party which has honored
I me with it's preference.
1 am, gentlemen of the committee,
very truly yours.
GARRETT A. HOBART.