Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-10-20
Party Issues is 1893.

There has never been time since the
war for the preservation of the Union
when the Republican party had more rea-
son 10 be heartily united on national is
sues than it is today. The country has
Just passed through a war undertaken
from motives of the highest honor and
patriotism and carried to a successful
conclusion In an unprecedentedly short
space of time and small sacrifice of life.
The nation is today more cordially harmo-
NOUS and united than ever before, and
that, too, in support of policy which, if
not dlstInctiFely republican, receives the
approval of larger proportion of the
republican party than any other, besides
receiving the acceptance Of the better
class of all other parties.
Ihe advantages of union and harmony
in the party councils were fOrcibly illus
trated in the magnitude of the victory
won two years ago and the results which
have since indicated the judgment of
the people I'M placing Republican admin
lstratlon In charge of the affairs of the
government. The credit of the nation
has been maintained by the declaration
of the people in favor of a currency
equally good in all parts of the world
and the country has entered upon a new
career of progress and prosperity. More
men are now employed in the industries
OF the country at remunerative, living
wages than at any time in the last dec
AIDE, and the farmers during the last year
have received larger returns for their
produce than ever before since hard times
set In with the accession of the Demo
cratic party to power in 1893. It is no
exaggeration or stretch of the magma
ton to say that these results have been
due to the election OF a Republican ad-
ministration in 1896 and the policy which
was then put in operation.
With the history of the last year still
fresh IN the memories of the people there
is no occasion for the Republican party to
reverse or modify its position on the main
issue of the campaign two years ago
the currency question. Its policy on that
question has been indicated, while that
of its 16 TO 1 free silver opponents has
been diseredited-proved delusion and a
sham by experience.
Under Republican leadership the nation
has entered upon a new era. Not only
has Hawaii been added to the national
domain IN accordance with the pledges of
the party made two years ago. but the
war with Spain, practically Endorsed by
united party and conducted by a Repub-
llcan administration, has opened new
door re American commerce, capital and
enterprise. of which there was no antici-
patton a few months ago In spite of
few discordant notes the progressive
spirit of the nation today is in favor of
reaping the full results of the late war
by the retention of the territory which it
has placed in our hands, and public senti-
ment is rapidly approaching unanimity
on this point.
That these are to be the main issues of
the coming campaign-the maintenance
of sound currency and the preservation
of the fruits of the war-goes without
saying. What have our Democratic op-
ponents to oppose to them? SO far they
have offered nothing but a reiteration of
their is to / free silver theories, with an
occasional protest against territorial ex-
pansion and bid for the .'spoils," as
shown by the attempts to organize a cor
ruptfbn fund by assessments upon candi-
dates for office, for which the latter are
expected to "recoup" themselves by rob
bling the people. In the face of such is
sues what honest, intelligent and progress
siye voter can hesitate in his choice?-
Chico Trihuno Sont 1909