Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-06-27
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM
An Adroitly Constructed Docu.
ment-Lacks Snap and vigor.

The conservative Baltimore Sun
thus reviews the republican National
platform, adopted at Philadelphis
last Wednesday:
The platform is, in the main, u
rhetorical and highly lsudstory re-
view of the achievements of the Ad-
ministrstion of Mr.. Mckinley. 1t
begins by drawing . picture of the
depressing financial and business con-
ditions which existed throughout the
country at the time of the Presideu-
tisl election of 1896. 1t then en-
phssizes the blessing which followed
the restoration Of the repu blicsn par
" to power on gold standard, high
tariff platform. The republican par
~, it is pointed out, has redeemed ITS
pledges-hss enscted gold standard
legislation and protective tariff law
and now, II is asserted, the country
Is enjoying a period of unexsmpled
prosperity. The platform convenient
" ignores the fact that under the
present Administration, with its
Dlngley Tariff act trusts have in
creased and multiplied as never be-
fore. While our manufacturers con-
troll the "home market" the consum-
ers 40 make that mar ket so valuable
are In the power of monopolies. The
platform also ignores the fact that
goldstsndard legislation was DELAYED
until the last moment and was cou-
Piled with bond-refunding scheme
the wisdom of which has vet to be
demonstrated.
Ii is not denied that there has been
a great increase IN the volume of our
export business 10 the last few wears.
But the world does not buy our sgri-
cultural products or our msnufac-
lures because there is a repu blicsn
administration at Washington. Crops
do not fail abroad and increase the
demand for our grain in order that
Europe may thus testify its confidence
IN the republican party. And If our
manufactured products are eagerly
sought abroad il is because they are
better than goods of foreign manu-
facture and are sold as cheap aud
perhaps cheaper. Under our tariff
system the European consumer of
American products fares better than
the consumers in the United States.
He is not compelled to pay the bonus
to the manufacturer which is extort-
ed from Americans by our Dingley
act.
In declaring the 'steadfsst opposi
ton" of repu blicsus TO the free and
unlimited coinage Of silver the plat
form sets forth that, despite the gold
standard Legislation recently enacted,
1.-The election of a democratic Presi-
dent could not fail to impair the
country's credit and to bring once
more into question the intention of
the American people to maintain upon
the gold standard the parity of their
money circulation" With a repuo-
lcan majority in the Senate for the
next four years there is no danger of
any change In our financial system
unless republican Senator'S should CO.
operate with the advocates of free
silver coinage. The repu blican party,
therefore, cannot expect voters who
oppose its policy of imperialism, mil.
itarism and favoritism TO the trusts
TO be frightened into supporting it
from fear Of disturbance Of our e.
nancial system within the next four
years. There is strong sound money
majority In the Senate which will be
ample to save the country from any
attack upon the gold standard.
The platform condemns all con-
spiracies and combinations intended
to restrict business, to create monop-
olies, 10 limit production or TO con-
troll prices" 1t ''favors such legisla
ton as will effectively restrain and
prevent all such abuses, protect and
promote competition and secure the
rights of producers, lsborers and all
who are engaged IN commerce and
industry" The most effective RENE
dy against those trusts which are the
outcome of our high tariff system is
the reduction of tariff duties, but as
the platform expressly commends the
tariff under which trusts multiply
and become more powerful it is plain
that republican condemnation of tar
iff-made monopOlies is purely Pick
wIckian. Republican professions of
hostility to the gigantic combinations
which control American industries
are mere "sound and fury" signify
ing nothing as long as tariff schedules
are framed with the view of adding
to the strength of the trusts.
The platform promises that the
pledges of independence and self
government for Cuba shall be re-
deemed to the letter. This pledge
was made more than two years ago,
and it is high time that it should be
something more than and empty
and meaningless declaration. Mr.
Mckinley is still the antocrat of
Cuba. and the Island is under the
rule of the bayonet. AS to the Phil.
A l. l. G. l.