The state herald., 1900-09-21
LINCOLN TO HANNA.
REPUBLICAN, PARTY OF TO-DAY
AND YESTERDAY.
Charles A. Towne Shows How Each In
terpretd the Declaration of Indepsnd-
ence- Contrast shows Decadence-A
Sorry Contrast, Indeed.

Historically, as all the world knows,
the Declaration of Independence is the
document in which the American colo
nies in 1776 proclaimed their inde-
pendence and nationality and in which
are recited the reasons and justifica-
tton for that step.
Considered as a contribution to the
literature of the science of govern
ment. it is formulation of the gener-
al principles of liberal institutions.
Its spirit has been for 12i years the
greatest force in the political world.
1t has shaped the policy and formed
the ideals OF tho American people. 1t
has made our example more potent
on the institutions OF Europe than all
other influences combined. 1t is today
more powerful than all our fleets and
armies. Parliaments, representative
governments, liberty of the press, re-
lislous toleration, increasing guaran-
tees of personal freedom bear witness
to In the uttermost parts of the earth.
Source of Information.
To 1t are largely due the humanities
Of modren art and literature and the
subjugation of science to the practical
utilities of everyday life. The promul-
cation of 1t and the defense and ex-
emplfication of 1t have given us our
peculiar place in human history. The
| Christian gospel has forever sanctiiied
small Roman province. The art and
| philosophy of Greece have dedicated
a petty European peninsula to the i'm
mortal regard of all mankind. Future
ages will cherish endlessly the bequest
by the United States, OF the principles
that all men are created equal and that
just government can exist only by
the consent of the governed.
Twice only in our history has the
doctrine of this great instrument been
openly assailed. 1t was the duty and
glory of Abraham Lincoln to defend
the Declaration of Independence from
the charge that 1t did not apply to
black men.
Today the party that he founded is
engaged In attempting to prove that
it does not apply to brown men. But
by its language 1t applies to all men.
and to admit an exception is to de-
rrive It of its place In the history of
liberty and to remit the world to the
old doctrine of force as the basis of
government, justifying the divine
right OF kings. the institution of slav
cry and wars OF mere conquest and
subjugation.
A Sorry Contrast.
When the first national convention
OF the Republican party met, in June.
1856. In the city OF Philadelphia, IL
adopted a platform, of which the very
first resolution was as follows:
Resolved. That the maintenance of
the principles promulgated In the Dsc-
laration OF Independence and emb1d-
led In the Federal Constitution is es-
sential TO the preservation OF our re-
publican institutions, and that the
Federal Constitution. the rights of the
states and the union OF the states
shall be preserved" When the last
Republican national convention met,
In June. 1900, In the same historic
city. II adopted platform wherein
there occurs not one syllable OF refer
ence to the Declaration Of lndepend-
ence- How can this be accounted for?
No American citizen oan 30 TO Phil
adelphia without feeling the holy In
fluence OF the place. The immortal
Declaration lives In every nook and
corner of'the old colonial capital. The
convention OF 1856 was In harmony
with this sacred association. That OF
1890 was !nsensible 10 II. The reason
was that the party between 1886 and
1900 had changed character com
p,eteiy.
From being the champion OF free
dom II had become the defender of
oppression. Its high ideals had given
place TO sprdid ones.
frem Lincoln To Hanna. lr'f' '
II had measured the awful distanc.
from Abraham Lincoln TO Msrcns A.
Hanna. . rr.s...f 'fs-
Forty-four years ago I, reai,jrmed
the Declaration Of Independence. This
year II not only falls to reafflrn that
| sltlt hhphh'Ht, ~ aSihallt.f'ptair
Il. Note the following language OF
It's platform ON the subject Of the gov
srnment OF the islands taken from
spain: "The largest measure OF self
government consistent with their well
fare and our duties shall be assured
10 them by law"
This makes the Republican party
he source and origin of whatever
measure OF seif.government'' these
rcopie may secure. The Declaration
Il Independence says that liberty Ia
an inalienabic attribute OF manhood.
Tho Republican party declares that
McKinia:- may give liberty To some
men. The Declaration OF Ind.pend-
enes maintains that God gives IL to
all men.
The Tyrast's Es~us~.
This eomplaeont announcement Of
benevolent guardianship over inferior
races IL In tho very spifi, Of d.spot.
SIN. No yrant In the world ever
confessed that bif ,wn glory and ad.
fsntsEe w.ss IL objects of his sway.
Always s.J everywhere the plea Of
,bsoiutism has been tha, II aimed a,
he welfare Of i,s Victims. which they
themselves were powerl-as to achieve
or 10 achieve In equal measure. This
| ,x.. ,h. atait. ~ t.aatsa III With ,.f