Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-07-07

directing influence in national govern
ment has been the richest contribution
ever made to the history Of the human
race. The men of the party builded
better than they knew and today as
we near the end of the seventh year
since the return of the republican rule
we find ourselves and our nation in a
period of prosperity and development
that has never before been equalled.
Mr. Perkins pictures the conditions
in the fofties under which the party
was conceived in most realistic colors
and says: IF the Wilmot proviso was
the herald of the republican party the
Kansas Nebraska bill announced its liv-
ing presence, full grown and armed
with righteousness" As it was the pur-
pose of the party in, its early days to
preserve the freedom of the people it
has now added to that the duty of
preserving through it's policies the ad-
vanced position taken by the working
people" 1t has ever been in the van
guard of American development and
it's growth has marked the expansion
of American activities and influence.
1t has been true,to the underlying prin.
ciples that called it into being.
The position of the Iowa republicans
on the tariff question is just at this.
time most interesting. Mr.. Perkins
elucidates clearly the position Of the
party on this important question max
ing reference to expressions on this
question found in various party plat
forms, The party is committed to the
policy of protection. 1t believes that
thus the best interests of all American
citizens can be conserved
Concerning the question of tariff
revision" Chairman Perkins speaks
words of wisdom when he says: Tar
if changes should be well considered.
They should be made cautiously and
conseryatively. They should not be
dictated by mere politics. Every
change should have the support of
sound business reason. Every change
should be made in strict conformity to
the general policy, which we call "the
historic policy" The republican party
has had but one definition of that poll
cy. Is is fundamentally based said
the President SO recently as April 8,
upon ample recognition of the differ
ence between the cost of production
that is, the cost of labor-here and
abroad and of the need to see to it that
our laws shall in no event afford adj
vantage in our own markets to foreign
industries, to foreign capital over
American capital, to foreign labor over
our own labor
1T is vitality important to the preser-
walton of the policy of protection to
keep the definition in mind, to keep
the essential qualities. in mind, and
to falter not in loyal, intelligent and
courageous service
Reciprocity was treated at some
length by Mr.. Perkins, but while he
believed that such a policy might in
some cases be advantageous to us as
an exporting nation, yet he declared
that he would not favor the removal
of a single safeguard of American la
Dor for any purpose.
No good and possibly much harm
would come to the business interests
of the country by ill-advised attempts
to stamp out trusts from the CONNER
cial arena. Regulations looking to the |
blottilig out of all evil tendencies is I
the method that should be used in de- |
Gliding the question of our relation to
capital. Mr. Perkins in this connection
points to the work of President
and the last congress on this
matter and echoed the feeling of the
American people when he said the ac-
ton taken in this direction was in gem
eral quite commendable.
In his reference to Iowa politics Mr.. |
Perkins recognizes the important posi-
ton held by Iowa in the councils of
the nation. He impressed upon his
hearers the Importance of the action
taken by the Iowa republicans on the
national convention next year.
Mr.. Perkins address is of especiall
interest to republicans, setting forth as
it does the sound republican principles
and beliefs and as means of political
enlightenment it can be studied by re-
publican and democrat alike with great
benefit.
GETTYSBURG ANNIVERSARY.