Omaha daily bee., 1902-09-29
THE PARTY OF HOPE.
Faith in the Future Explains h Sue
cess OF the Republican Party.
Chicago Inter Ocean.

Chicago Inter Ocean.
President Roosevelt Is preaching the gos-
pei OF hope to the country just now, and in
so doing he is preaching emphatically the
fundamental doctrine Of the republican
party.
In not one Of the national platforms from
1856 to 1900 has that party limited at de-
spair, voiced distrust or appealed TO discon-
tent. In every declaration OF policy 1t has
accepted the duties OF the time, g]rappled
with the problems pressing for settlement
and expressed its abiding faith in the
American people.
In 1856 the republican party advanced
boldly to a new line Of aggressive political
action. enunciating certain great principles.
every one OF which has been approved by
the people. II declared war on those twin
relics Of barbarism, polygamy and slavery"
and made conspicuous a declaration in favor
Of the construction OF a railway TO the Pa
cihc. Slavery has been destroyed, polygamy
has been abolished and railways to the Pa
cifc have been constructed.
In 1860 there were open threats Of dts
union, but the republican party in conven-
ton assembled declared, THE federal con-
stitution, the rights OF the states and the
union OF the states must and shall he pre-
served" 1t denounced all threats Of dis
union, declaring, at is the imperative duty
Of an indignant people sternly to rebuke and
forever silence all such threats"
In the stormy years that followed the
party was true to the pledge and in good
time silenced forever threats Of dlsunion.
In 1864, In the midst Of one of the greatest
wars In history, the party expressed full
confidence in President Lincoln's determine
ton and ability to Garry all measures TO
the salvation Of the country into full eff
feet"
In 1872 the party appealed to Its record
in suppressing a gigantic rebellion, in
emancipating four millions Of slaves, in
decreeing the free citizenship Of all and
in establishing universal suffrage. In every
succeeding presidential year the party de-
clared It's faith, pointed to its record and
accepted new responsibilities.
In 1900, while looking back upon an
unsurpassed record of achievement and look
ing forward into a great field Of duty and
opportunity" the party took up new ques-
lions and expressed confidence in its abil-
iy fully to meet the expectations of the
American people.
In no platform ever adopted has the re-
publican party given much space to the
sins or failures of the opposition, but has
enlarged upon its own record in hopefully
undertaking the duties imposed upon it
and in courageously meeting the most diff
cult problems Of American politics. II has
never been the party Of despair, but always
the party Of hope. Of strong faith in Ameri-
can institutions. Of confidence in the Ameri-
can people.
The republican party preached the gospel
Of hope in 1860, it acted up to it's principles
throughout the civil war, it did not despair
in the year Of reconstruction, it did not
lose hope when defeated in 1884, it was
not turned from its course by defeat in
1892. 1t has chung tenaclously to repuS-
lican policies and has seen them triumph
through courageous performance of duty.
The republican party has succeeded be-
cause, as President Roosevelt says, at has
an abiding faith in the growing strength
and growing future OF the nation