The Leon reporter., 1900-09-20
LINCOLN TO HANNA.
REPUBLICAN, PARTY OF, TO-DAY
AND YESTERDAY.
Charles A. Towne shows How Each In
terpretd the Declaration Of Independ-
ence-Contrast Shows Decalence-A
Sorry Contrast, Indeed.

i ln08D9nd.
ence-Contrast Shows Decalenoe-A
Sorry Contrast, Indeed.
Historically, as all the world knows,
the Declaration of Independence is the
document in which the American colo.
n!es in 1776 proclaimed their inde-
pendence and nationality and in which
are recited the reasons and justifica-
tion 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 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 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. Pariiaments, representative
governments, liberty Of the press, re-
l1gious 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 it and the defense and ex-
emplif1cation of it have given us our
peculiar place in human history. The
Christian gospel has forever sanctified
a small Roman province. The art and
philosophy of Greece have dedicated
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
it does not apply to brown men. But
by its language it applies to all men,
and to admit an exception is to de-
prive 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.
Sorry Contrast.
When the first national convention
of the Republican party met, in June,
1856. in the city OF Philadelphia, it
adopted 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
Republican national convention met,
in June, 1900, in the same historic
city, it adopted platform wherein
there occurs not one syllable of refer
ence to the Declaration of Independ-
ence. How can this be accounted for?
No American citizen can go to Phil
adelphia without feeling the holy in
f1uence 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 it had become the defender of
oppression. Its high ideals had given
place to sordid ones.
From Lincoln to Hanna.
1t had measured the awful distance
from Abraham Lincoln to Marcus A.
Hanna.
Forty-four years ago it reafarmed
the Declaration Of independence. This
| year it not only fails to reafirn that
great instrument; it actually repeals
| it. Note the following language of
its platform on the subject of the gov
ernment 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 ina.ienable attribute of manhood.
The Republican party declares that
Mckinley may give liberty to some
men. The Declaration of Independ-
ence maintains that God gives it to
all men.
The Tyrant's Excuse.
This complacent announcement of
benevolent guardianship over inferior
races is in the very spirit of despot-
ism. No tyrant in the world ever
| copfoecod that hic oun oIory ,,d 81