The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1902-07-10

Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen: I am
profoundly grateful for the distinguished
honor conferred upon me by the repre-
fentatives of the Republican party of
Minnesota in convention assembled. For
two years have endeayored, as chief
executive, to serve the people of our
state to the best of my ability, and to
have performed the duties Of that posi-
ton in such manner as to meet with
your appreciation is most gratifying.
At this time it will not be inappropriate
TO discuss the issues involved in the COM
Ing campaign and to examine our past
record. The Republican party was called
into existence during tumultuous times.
1t has met every issue presented ana set
ind disunion Threatened the life Of our
government; with Lincoln. our first Re-
publican president, at the, helm, the ma
ton passed that danger without ship
wreck. Slavery was abolished and the
Union was saved. The dangers of the
reconstruction period were met and mas
aisgraced us, was swept away forever.
The reputation of the debt incurred In
the war of the Rebellion was avoided and
every obligation was paid, dollar for dol
lar: The greenback craze was. success
fully resisted, and under the wise direc-
ton of that able financier, John Sherman,
while the whole world doubted, we re-
sumed specie payments. And better than
this even, with the aid of the sound
went down to everlasting defeat and the
gold standard was established. AS soon
as we were restored to power, in 1897,
we inaugurated policies which brought
the country from the deepest gloom to
the greatest prosperity. With sound
financial system and protection to our
the golden age of American progress. In
fact, with the adoption of our policies
we have made the industrial conquest of
the globe. We have placed another
iOhf OF in
tamented and beloved Mckinley was our
chief executive we determined no longer
to permit the Spaniard to Cypress the
people of Cuba. Our president, supported
by all parties and by the matchless valor
of our soldiers and sailors, in one hun
ared days not only freed Cuba and drove
the Spaniard from the continent forever,
but gave greater liberty to millions across
the seas. On the twentieth of May last
new republic was born and the ma
TONS plighted faith was kept. Our party
not only promises but performs. ouba
Is not only our sister republic, but in
measure our ward, and l am sure l.Iat
literally by her; and we should declare
as our policy...Woe untostf1e nation that
would attempt to n5are or destroy this is
power there need be no fear that the
people of Porto Rico or of the Philip
pine islands will be oppressed, for every
flag will have every right guaranteed
him. l have no patience with the as
saults made upon our army in the I'D
pines; it has performed its duty there
and should be commended. not censured.
q There may have been atrocities commit
ted, but not more than usually result
from war. The American soldier needs
no apology. The people will stand by
him for he has ever been the hope and
the safety of the nation. We have never
had to depend upon hired help to. defend
the flag, for the American soldier has
ever been ready to stand as a supporting
column for the Stars and Stripes. While
this record is one to be proud of, we
should not be satisfied with our past
glories, great as they are, but should
meet the live questions of the day. srhe
party of progress should not became the
fed to let well enough alone if we can
better our condition. Growth is as es-
sential to a party as to an Individual or
q nation. BY reason of the industrial
conquest mentioned moment ago, new
problems have arisen and new questions
have to be solved. Will the party be
equal to the emergency?
While firm believer in the principle
of protection, / also believe that our
tariff laws should be revised. They should
be changed to meet the new conditions;
cur own people against foreign compe-
tition, or not required for raising the
necessary revenue for the purpose of adj
ministering the affairs of the govern
ment, should be largely reduced. or re-
moved altogether. How much better this
revision by the party of protection than
".
The Democratic party has been tried.
1T made miserable failure. Is our
memory so short that we can forget the
evils resulting from 1s93-1s97, when that
party was in possession, of all branches
of the government? This was indeed
the darkest period in our history Closed
factories, smokeless chimneys, idle men.
misery and want the common lot of all.
Let us profit by the terrible lesson and
perform this work ourselves. In this way
1t can be accomplished without harm to
ar.rYy~ htrcf fr,fn de- -
shock to our industrial system. We
should also favor reciprocity We must
not only maintain our present market,
but we must find new ones. We cannot
hope to always sell and never buy. In
pursuing such policy we follow the
footsteps of the great modern leaders OF
our party, Blaine, Mckinley and Roose-
welt
I will not further discuss national is
sues as they have been 50 ably and fully
presented by our distinguished senior sem
aRtor, Hon. Knute Nelson
For the term of forty years our party
has been practically IN control of all
branches OF Qur state government. So
statute books during that period were
passed by Republican legislatures or
signed by Republican governors. Among
to the people might be mentioned: Laws
for the. inspection of grain, Laws for the
supervision and control OF the railroads
and for the establishment and control OF
the commission, the laws creating the
board of equalization, taxing corporations,
drainage, and others.
has not been beneficent, legislative or
official act in the interest OF the people
that did not have its origin in and that
ean n parH 81 those chosen to
sent it.
Our great growth and development as
of the Republican party that one cannot
be separated from the other.