The Atlanta constitution., 1900-07-09
The Republican Programme.


IL is probably just as well that the
subcommittee OF which the justly re-
nowned Quigg was secretary omitted
the name OF Lincoln from the republic
can platform, where ii was mischiev-
ously placed by those who prepared
the original draft. The suppressed
plank. which contained the name of
Lincoln. declared that Eve reassert the
principle which was the watchword of
the republican party in its first great
battle. OF which Abraham Lincoln was
the illustrious champion. and on which
he was elected president. that congress
has full legislative power over territory
belonging to the United States, subject
only TO the fundamental safeguards OF
liberty. justice and personal rights"
Qulgg says that this plank was omit
ted because the subcommittee thought
that. as the question was before the SUI
preme court. 'it was neither advisable
nor necessary to run the risk OF get
ting the platform into conflict with
such court" But Quigg is wrong in his
diagnosis. There were two fatal obiec
tions 10 the plank in question. These
objections may not have occurred TO
the mind Of Quigg. but such men as
Fairbanks and Foraker must have
seen at once. first, that the plank in
question is not in accord with the re-
publican programme. and second, that
no such declaration was made In the
republican platform OF 1860.
The suppressed plank. though IL does
not say 50 in terms. places the full
legislative power" OF congress under
the limitations Of the constitution. The
phrase fundamental safeguards of lib
erty. justice and personal rights" was
entirely too American.
These safeguards are fundamental in
no other government under the sun
save that Of the American republic,
and they are fundamental here because
they are set forth in the constitution.
Obviously such a plank as this would
not suit a party committed to exacting
tariff tax from the people OF Porto
Rico 10 satisfy the demands of the su-
gar trust and other protected interests.
Such a declaration may have been
deemed necessary by Mr.. Mckinley
and certain members OF his cabinet.
but it should be borne I'm mind that the
president and certain members of his
cabinet declared that It was our plain
duty to abolish all customs duties be-
tween Porto Rico and the United
States.
When this tariff matter came before
congress the agents OF the protected
interests discovered that free trade
with Porto Rico would not bring them
any profits and they decided the matter
in their own favor. and contrary to the
constitution Consequently. the phrase
Subject only TO the safeguards OF lib
erty, Justice and personal rights" had
no place in a republican platform on
which Mr.. Mckinley was TO stand.
On the contrary. the declaration in
the platform that the inhabitants of
the Philippines shall be given the
largest measure OF government
consistent with their welfare and our
duties" is exactly fitted TO the necessi-
ties OF the republican programme. 1t
may mean much, it may mean little. or
Il may mean nothing. The welfare" of
the Filipinos may be interpreted to
mean an increase in the number OF
American saloons rather than larger
measure o, government; and as to
"our duties" Mr.. Mckinley has demon
strated that they may be one thing to-
day and precisely the contrary tomor-
row.
In fine. the republican platform in
all its parts is marked by the trail of
the "same old serpent" on which Lin
coin commented in one OF his debates
with Douglas. These debates have be-
come famous for many reasons. In the
/ course OF one. Mr.. Lincoln commented
prophetically on the Philadelphia plat
form OF a party which has turned its
| back on all his teachings. He said:
These arguments that are made,
that the inferior race are to be treated
with as much allowance as they are ca
pable OF enjoying; that as much is to
be done for them as their condition