Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-10-14

graciously invited to respond to the
subject THE Iowa Platform and the
Tariff" | shall presently reach it,
but | could not forbear passing ref
erence to the spirit of republicanism
as we understand it in Iowa, lest it
might be thought we had forgotten it's
history and its teachings; and may
pause here for one word respecting
the republicans of the state from
which | come. It is not less surprising
than amusing to hear the orthodoxy
of Iowa republicans questioned. Far
be it for me to disparage the zeal or
steadfastness of the republicans of any
state; but | have been accustomed to
think that the republicans of my state
were quite as trustworthy and quite
as steady as their brothers in any 9TH
er state of the union. The bare sug--
from the old faith, brings instructive
ly to my mind the memorable contest
of 1896. l had the honor at that time
to represent these republicans upon
the national committee; and for three
months | sat in this building with the
representatives of other states, to
watch and guide that vital conflict.
There were some gloomy days.
There were times when the shadows
of apprehension and fear rested heav-.
lily upon the men who sat around the
counsel table. In moments of doubt |
have heard it asked: Is Illinois all
right? How will Ohio go? What ere
the chances in Indiana? What will be
the outcome in Michigan? Can we
carry Minnesota Have we any chance
in the Dakotas? May we expect sue
cess in Kansas and Nebraska? but
in all those months, with their shift
ing scenes of perpleXity and their
varying modes of hope and fear there
never came from the lips of any man
the inquiry: What will Iowa do? Ev--
erybody knew that, whatever any 9TH
er state might do, Iowa was safe. The
memory of these days of peril are still
vivid with me, and | recall them only
to give emphasis to my utterance when
say that Iowa now, as then, holds
fast to the eternal principles of the
republican party.
THE Iowa Platform and the Tariff"
But to my subject-"The Iowa
Platform and the Tariff" The first
sentence in the platform relating to
the topic. reads thus:
That we stand by the historic poll,
cy of the republican party in giving
protection to home industries and
point for it's ample vindication to the
extraordinary rapidity with which our
national resources have been develop
ed and our Industrial and financial in
| dependence secured"
| And in all it's length and all its
breadth we meant just what we said
| We believe that to the, doctrine of pro
lection more than to any other prin
ciple of government, is due the COM
handing position SO brilliantly won
and so firmly held by the United
States in the affairs of the world thai
to the policy of protection duties is
due, more than to any other policy OF
the government, the unequaled man
hood and womanhood. at once the
safety and glory of the republic; thai
to this fundamental proposition of the
republican party is due, more than tt
any other economic truth, the marvel.
I, Gus development and unparalleled
i prosperity which now distinguish tn,
i American name and bless the Ameri-
can home. All! my dear friends, b,
assured that when the feet of othe
! soldiers grow weary, and the eyes Of
other watchers are yelled in sleep, thu
republicans of Iowa will be marchins
to the music of protection and thei
eyes will be cleaning with all the en-,
thusiasm of the early dawn
Says 1t Paraphrases National Plat
I form.
j Permit me to quote two succeedin.
: sentences upon the same subject:
i I'VE favor such changes in the tarif
j from time to time as become advis
s able through the progress of our in
!. dustries, and their changing relation
], to the commerce OF the world. w
Z endorse the policy of reciprocity a
/ the natural complement of protection
) and urge its development as neces
sary to the realization of our highes
commercial possibilities.
This is but a paraphrase of the las
!, National platform, nearly every stat
platform and but breathes the spiri
that gave to the final utterance O
the immortal Mckinley so lofty
place in the literature of statemar
ship
| Says Time for Change is Here.
That changes would become neces
: sary or advisable no republican ha
ever doubted and therefore the sign
ficance of the lines have just read i
not to be found in the language en-
ployed 1t is to be found in the fac
that this platform was adopted unde
circumstances that made it clear tina
the republicans of Iowa are deepl
convinced that the. time has com
Through the progress of our indus
tries and their changing relation I
the commerce of the world. whe