San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-07-13

which to hold our, National conven-
tions. / would also advise that this
convention recommend to the various
state leagues that the state conven-
tons of all the leagues throughout the
Union be held upon the same day.
Being thus held, that day would pre-
sent the league prominently before the
people of the country in every state.
and such concert of action would
bring the various state organizations
in closer touch with each other. They
would seem to have common purpose.
BY having the entire army in the field
upon one particular day would very
clearly show our continued develop
ment in power and influence. l would
suggest as the day for this extraor-
event, the birthday of the faith
er of the Republican party-Abraham
Lincoln.
II am justified in saying that the
league is growing. In a number Of
states few years our party leaders
1t with suspicion. Now they
recognize its usefulness and gradually
encourage and support it. We have a
number of distinguished statesmen who
have hardly realized the fact that
there exists in this country the Natl
onal Republican League. They have
unsatisfied ambitions, and are some
what disappointed at the slow progress
they have made in national politics.
My advice to them Is to get in line
and not overlook the league men in this
country, who, with a comradeship of
two and one-half million members,
have no axes to grind, but naturally
think more of their friends than they
do of their enemies. OF the large num-
Der of distinguished Republicans who
have been friends of the league, there
is one who stands out conspicuous
among the rest. That man is VIM.
Mckinley. AS an organization the
league canont assist any candidate for
office, until nominations are duly made
but as individuals, it's members nat
urally remember their friends. AS a
consequence VIM. Mckinley today is
president of the United States. That
magnificent pageant given in Washing
ton at his Inauguration on the Fourth
of March last said to have been the
most remarkable in our nations his
tory, was composed in large parts by
members of this league of Republican
clubs. They were there not as paid
officers or men of this army or navy,
but as the volunteer representatives of
this army, which last fall went out
upon the field of political battle, and
fought with a vigor that knew no
WEAKNESS, with a courage that was a
stranger to defeat. Our share in the
remarkable victory of 1896 adds en-
during laurels to the cause of club or
ties.
THE people of this country are to be
congratulated upon the fact that dur
ing these trying times we have a Re-
publican president at Washington. A
man of lofty character and rugged
patriotism. A man pure in life, sincere
in purpose, and with convictions of
honor that are as stable and unflinch-
ing as the granite hills. AS we are
proud of the party of Lincoln, OF
Grant, of Garfield and of Blaine, so
are we proud of the party of William
Mckinley. The question is often ask
ed by our political adversaries, what
has President Mckinley done?' We an
stripes upon the island Of Hawaii. By
that act he will proclaim our country
territory and our nations honor. He
has gone into the southland, and
taught the gospel Of enduring peace
and christian fellowship. He has re-
buked the pessimist, and in the place
of his discordant wall of despair, has
proclaimed the joyous message of
brighter days and better times He
has made 1t possible to pass Repub-
lican tariff law when his party was in
the minority, which indeed, is an ac-
complishment almost unknown in
American politics. He has done even
more. He has taught our people
that our President is one Of us, and
for us. That there should be no insur-
mountable wall between our chief ruler
and his subjects and it may be said
that each official act of our new Pres
ident brings him in closer touch with
the American people, who have learn
ed to admire and love him.
1.-THE contest of 1897 is already upon
us. In various states the conventions
of both parties have assembled, nomi-
mated their candidates, adopted their
platforms. and the people are again
asked to give voice to their prefer
enees. The Democratic party adheres
to the Chicago platform. 1t has learn
ed nothing, it forgets nothing. The
platform is as bad, if possible, as the
party which adopted it. 1t does not
appeal to the patriotism of the Amer
lean people A Democrat is never so
happy as when he thinks he is mis-
cradle, never so exuberent as when
recounting the misfortunes of others.
The Republican party reaffsrms the st.
Louis platform wherin it declared
for honest money, a protective tariff
and reciprocity. The old issues are