The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-09-28
LINCOLN TO HANNA.
REPUBLICAN, PARTY OF TODAY
AND YESTERDAY.
Charles A. Towns shows How Each In
telpretd tine Declaration Of ~Independ-
enoe-Contrast Shows DeoAdsncs-A
Sorry Contrast, Indeed.

Historically, as all the world Knows,
the Declaration Of independence Is this
document in which the American colo
MES In 1875 proclaimed their inde-
pendence and nationality and in which
are recited the reasons and justlfca-
tion for that step.
Considered as q contribution to the
literature of the science Of govern
ment, it Is q formulation of the gener-
al principles of liberal institutions.
Its spirit has been for 124 years the
greatest force in the political world.
1t has shaped the policy and formed
the ideals of the American people. 1t
has made III example more potent
on the institutions Of Europe than all
other influences combined. It is today
more powerful than all our fleets and
armies. Parliaments, representative
governments, liberty Of the press, re-
ligious liberation, 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-
emplifcation Of 1t have given III our
peculiar place in human history. The
Christian gospel has forever sanctified
a small Roman province. The art and
philosophy Of Greece have dedicated
q petty European peninsula to the Inn
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 exis 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 it 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 it applies to all men,
and to admit all exception is to de-
prive 1t 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,
1855, in the city OF Philadelphia, 1t
adopted a platform. Of which the very
first resolution was as follows:
Resolved, That the maintenance Of
the principles promulgated In the Dec
laration of independence and embod-
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, 1t adopted a platform wherein
there occurs not one syllable OF refer
nce to the Declaration of Indeperd-
ence. How can this be accounted for?
No American citizen can go to Phil
adelphia without feeling the holy in
nuence 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
1900 was insensible to it. The reason
was that the party between 1856 and
1900 had changed character COM
pletely.
From being the champion of free
dom 1t had become the defender of
oppression. Its high ideals had given
place to sordid ones.
From Lincoln to Hanna.
It had measured the awful distance
from Abraham Lincoln to Marcus A.
Hanna.
Forty-four years ago it reanrmed
the Declaration Of Independence. This
year It not only fails to. reafarn that
great instrument; 1t actually repeats
1t. Note the following language Of
its platform on the subject of the gov
eminent Of the islands taken from
Spain: The largest measure of self
government consistent with their well
fare and our duties shall be assured
to them by law"
This makes the Republican party
the source and origin of whatever
measure Of self-government" these
people may Secure. The Declaration
of Independence says that liberty is
an i~nalienable attribute of manhood.
The Republican party declares that
Mckinley may give liberty to some
men. The Declaration Of %Independ-
ence maintains hat God gives 1t to
all men.
The 1yrAnt's Excuse.
This complacent announcement of
benevolent guardianship over inferior
c is in the very spirit Of despot-
fn~n NJ kvnnn& g. 1891