The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1898-12-31
FULFILLED THE PLATFORM.
The Promises of the Republican Par
~ Have Deen Faithful
~ Kept.

A party that keeps faith with the
people deserves the commentator Of
all who believe that political platforms
are guides for action, not mere rhetor-
ic to catch votes. The platform adopt
ed by the republican national conven-
ton in St.sLouis June is, 1896, has al
ready been wrought into history. Every
intelligent voter asks that his party
not only have full purpose TO yitalize
its principles as announced, but that 1t
shall show the capacity TO do it when
| intrusted with power. Tested by this
! standard the republican party has per-
formed its duty with rare promptness
and ability. Its promises of two years
ago are accomplished facts. 1t was
! hoped and believed when the platform
was adopted that il could be carried in
! to effect peacefully; but chain of UNI
expected events impelled the people
to engage in n foreign war as last re-
sort. This crisis came upon n repub-
lean administration and was met with
complete success. Emergencies, no
matter how extraordinary, have been
faced with uniformly favorable re-
suit, and now that peace has returned
the party feels that congratulations are
in order
In view of what has happened the
language of the platform in regard to
Cuba is deeply significant After an ex-
preston of sympathy with the Cubans
in their fight for independence the
plank continued: "The government of
Spain. having lost control of Cuba, and
being unable to protect the property
and lives of resident American citizens,
or to comply with its treaty regula-
tions, we believe that the government
of the United States should actively
use its influence and good offices 10
restore peace and give independence
to the Island" The good offices of the
United States were rendered and re-
iected. Peace is restored in Cuba Its
independence is assured. All came TO
pass in less than two years after the
republicans assumed control. Another
passage in the platform reads: "fhe
Hawaiian islands should be controlled
by the United States. and no foreign
power should be permitted to interfere
with them But one way existed to
carry this into effect, and that was an
nexation. Hawaii accordingly, has
been made part of our territory. No
one foresaw in June, 1896, that before
January ], 1899, Cuba would be free
and Hawaii under our flag. But both
ideas were in the republican platform,
and when the occasion came repub-
lican administration turned the Amer
lean aspirations into deeds.
There was in the platform the
promise of escape from an era of hard
times and political disaster, and it has
been kept. "All our silver and paper
currency must be maintained a I parity
with gold" was another declaration
which stands indicated. The protec-
tive tariff outlined is on the statute
books. The enlargement of the navy
and improved coast defenses are the
fulfillment of another plank. In the
last paragraph of the platform occur
these words: "Such are the principles
and policies of the republican party.
By these principles we will abide, and
these policies we will put into execu.
ton" The sincerity Of the ayowal has
been placed beyond question. a strik-
ing parallel might be drawn between
the realization of the republican ma
tonal platform of 1896 and the neglect
and perversion of the democratic plat
form of 1892 in which the people trusted
tc the full extent of executive and legis-
lative power. But the bitter disappoint-
ments of that period are not pleasant
ctt, 10 bp mi Mt n hp
impressed is that every party must
stand by its platform, and be equal to
its demands, to be worthy the respect
and confidence of the American people.
st. Louis G,obe-Democrat.