The broad ax., 1900-09-15
LINCOLN TO HANNA.
REPUBLICAN PARTY or TODAY
AND YESTERDAY.


document in which the American colo
hies in 1T7s proclaimed their inde-
pendence and nationality and In which
are recited the reasons and tustinea-
ton for that step.
Considered as q contribution to the
literature Of the science Of govern
ment, It Is q formulation Of the gehsr-
al principles Of liberal institutions.
Its spirit has been for Ia years the
greatest force In the political world.
1t has shaped the policy and formed
the ideals of the American people II
has made our example more potent
on the institutions Of Europe than al
other influences combined. II In today
more powerful than all our fleets and
armies. Pariiaments. representative
governments, liberty of the press, re-
ligious federation, Increasing guAran-
tees Of personal freedom bear witness
TO In the uttermost parts Of the earth
Source OF InformAtion-
To II 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 II and the defense and ex-
emplification Of 1t have given Us our
peculiar place In human history. The
Christian gospel has forever sanetinsd
a 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 it did not apply to
black men.
Today the party that he founded is
engaged in attempting to prove that
1t does not apply to brown men. But
BY its language it applies to all men,
and to admit an exception is to de-
priVe II of ita 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, II
adopted q platform, OF which the very
hrst 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-
sentisl 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 |
national convention met,
In June, 1900, in the same historic
,ity, II adopted a platform wherein |
here occurs not one syllable Of refer
snes to the Declaration OF Independ-
snce. How can this be accounted for?
No American citizen can 60 to Phil
without feeling the holy in
iuence Of the place. The immortal
lives In every nook and
corner OF the old colonial capital. The
Of 1856 was in harmony
With this sacred association. That OF
800 Was insensible to H. The reason
vas that the party between 1856 and
500 had changed character COM
,ietely.
From being the champion Of free
lom 1t had become the defender of
oppression. Its high ideals had given
lace to sordid ones.
From Liasola to Hanna
1t had measured the awful distance
rom Abraham Lincoln to Marcus A.
Hanna.
Forty-four years ago It reafirmed
he Declaration Of Independence. This
ear it not only fails to reafirn that
reat instrument; 1t actually repeats
Nots the following language Of
b platform on. the subject Of the gov
rnmert Of the islands taken. from
pain: The largest measure Of self
consistent with their vel
are and our duties shall Be assured
, them By Law. 80
This makes the Republican party
be source and origin Of whatever
measure OF self-goTemment'' thsss
eopls may secure. The Dsci&ration
I Independence. says that liberty IL
n inaiienabls attribute Of manhood.
hs Republican party declares that
IeKinley nay sive liberty to some
len The Declaration Of Indspend-
nee maintains that God gives It to
u mem
rhs Tynnrs KEensA.
This compliment announcement Of
guardisnship over inferior .
Ices n In ths very spirit Of ,despot-
m. No tyrant in the world ever ,
- L.