The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1902-10-02

everywhere evidence of similar In
crease. Growth and expansion have
been the order of the day under Re-
publican administration.
Business failures throughout the
country. embarrassing to capital and
destructive of the interests of labor,
have been fewer during the last five
years than for many years previously.
Statistics speak briefly but forcibly of
the relative merits of Republican and
Democratic administrations. They are
not illusory. They are plain, palpable
facts, which we should keep well in
mind.
Democratic Issues.
The Democratic party has been seek
ing issues instead of letting issues
seek It, 1t has attempted to secure
issues upon which, perchance, 1t might
attain power, and, when it has failed.
it has been willing to abandon them.
What has become of the Chicago plat
form? Where is the Kansas City plat
form?
The Democratic party of Indiana
earnestly espoused them, at the time
declaring that they were fundamental
ly sound and absolutely essential to
commercial success and the country's
welfare. Fortunately the country re-
pudiated the platforms and their au-
thors. and our Democratic brethren
in Indiana have themselves undertaken
more recently to avoid them as q pes
thence. l do not condemn them, but
q safe one to be intrusted with the
mighty affairs of government whose
leaders proclaim policies today which
they dare not avow tomorrow; which
enunciates economic and commercial
principles which cannot survive more
than one political campaign?
Party policies should not be advocat-
ed for mere temporary success. They
should be bottomed on sound princi-
pies and common honesty as eternal as
the virtues. Such are Republican poll
cies, and for that reason Republican
convention can frankly reafirm its old
party declarations.
The Republicans of Indiana in their
last state convention cordially reaf.
frmed the platform adopted by their
national convention at Philadelphia in
1900. and cordially pledged anew their
adherence to the principles therein
contained.
The Tariff.
The Republicans Of Indiana re-enun-
ciated their adherence to the policy of
protection. They are as firm as ever
in their belief in the efficacy of that
great policy for which William McKin-
| ley stood. Our state convention de-
clared:
I'VE adhere to the policy of protec-
| ton. Under 1t our industries have de-
veloped and the opportunities of labor
have been increased and wages main
tanned at a higher rate than would
have been otherwise possible.
I'VE favor the extension of our mar
kets through carefully-guarded recipro
city arrangements with other countries
wherever IL can be done without in
terrupting our home production.
While we favor such notifications OF
the tariff schedules as from time to
time are required by changing condi
lions, we insist that such changes shall
be made In line with the fundamental
| principles Of protection"
| The Democratic party Of Indiana
challenges the Republican protective
tariff policy as follows:
I'VE denounce the Dingley tariff Law
as the breeder of trusts and demand
that tariff duties be levied for the pur
poses of revenue only"
This Is a brief declaration, but Il
full OF significance. II Is at war witt
the protective system and is a distinc
declaration Of the Inauguration of free
trade as the policy of the United
States. This is not a novel declara
ton. II Is not now heard for the frs
time. 1t is but the pronunciation of &
Democratic policy which we hav,
been obliged to meet in many pas
campaigns. Most Of us recall sim
liar declaration made by the Demo
cratic party in 1892, during the admin
istration of Benjamin Harrison-on,
of the most successful administration
in the history of the government.
Those who give note to curren
events will readily recognize a striking
similarity between conditions prevail
ing in 1892 and now. They will recall
General Harrison's last annual mes
sage, submitted to the congress II
December, 1892. He called attention
to the fact that our commerce had al
tanned unprecedented proportions. H
likewise adverted to the fact that tn
Democratic party was about to succee
to power, pledged to carry out ney
policies, to substitute for protechv
tariff free-trade policy. and he Gale
the people to witness whether In tn
future under the new policy we shoul
fall below or rise above the successful
conditions which then prevailed. Tn
events which followed are a part G
our unfortunate history. They are to
recent and too familiar to us to justif
more than brief mention. The Demo
cratic party faithfully set about tn
, overthrow of the Mckinley law. whic
> was the embodiment of the policy {
, protection, and the substitution ther'
for the Democratic free-trade polio.
; Commercial paralysis, bankruptc.
loss and distress surely and swift
. followed.