Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-06-11
THURSDAY, JUNE IL, 1908.
t1 A UNITED PARTY.

The Democratic newspapers frequently
refer to imaginary differences in the ranks
of the Republican party, and upon such
supposed dissensions place their hope for
Democratic victory in 1904. This shows
how barren is all hope of the Democracy
for electing the next President of the
United States. The Republicans Vert
never more thoroughly united, and never
had mole just cause for being found in
that happy condition. Upon tue other
hand the Democratic party was never
more hopelessly divided on both men and
measures.
With the Republicans there seems to be
united sentiment favorable to the nomi-
nation of President Roosevelt to succeed
himself. This uuanimity of sentiment is
not basel upon the idea that the candi
date of the party may possibly be sacri-
feed in 1904; but has been created by the
wonderful personal popularity of Mr.
Roosevelt, by his successful Adminlstra-
ton, and his unfaItering adherence to the
principles that have made his party 50
great.
Not only are the Republicans agreed as
to who shall be their next Presidential
candidate, but they are as nearly solidly
united on all questions that are likely to
enter into the campaign of 1904 as 1t is
possible for political organization to be
found. The Democratic party is not SO
fortunately situated. A prominent Demo
crat recently declared that his party was
without leader or an issue. Not being
able 10 find a new or live Issue to present
to the people, the Democracy has been
forced 70 return to the old and thread
bare issue of "tarif reform" In the des-
perate effort to make this a prominent
question in 1904 the Democratic organs
and leaders have been struggling to create
the belief that there is a threatened rup'
ture in the Republican ranks over
the tariff question. Great stress has
been laid on what is called the Iowa
idea" 1t has been magnied by the free
traders into a widespread dissatisfaction
with the protective policy. They insn'
uate that large number of Republicans
will support the Democratic candidate for
President, If the Republican platform of
1904 does not declare for such smashing
of the protective system as IS advocated
by the Democracy. This is but an idle
dream Of the Democracy. The Republl-
cans will stand as soidly in 1904 for pro
lection as they have ever done. The plat
form of the Republicans of Pennsylvania
recently adopted in State convention has
sounded the keynote for 1904. 1t says:
1--WE affirm our answering loyalty to
the Republican principle of a protective
tariff and deprecate any suggestion OF any
general revision at the present time of the
tariff law enacted in 1897. We believe it
to be the course of wisdom to let well
enough alone, and not to imperil business
interests by any suggestions Of present in
reference with revenue legislation. Per
manence and stability of tariff rates are
essential to continued business prosperity"
THERE'S much good sense in this declare
ton to 'let well enough alone" Any
tampering with the industrial policy Of
the country would bring about another
panic like thatof 1898. Confidence would
be detroyed, mines and mills would be
closed, railroad construction would cease,
working men would be found tramping
agricultural products would become again
almost valueless, and general disaster
similar to that which attended Cleveland's |
last administration would drive men to |
despair. The people will remember that
the first act of President Mckinley after |
his iaapguratiOn in 1897 was to call an ex,
ira session of Congress to restore pro-
tective tariff and dlsplace the ruin that
had been brought upon all classes of bust
ness by Democratic tariff. The people
all known how effectually the Mckinley
policy has restored and continued pros
perity.
The Republican party is practically
united on the tariff question, it is as much
so on the currency question, and on the
PHILIPPINE question it's position is now sup
ported by all reasonable people. On the
trust question the party stands squarely
behind President Roosevelt, who occupies
the most reasonable position that has been
taken by any public man. If the Demo.
Gratis are making any calculations upon
disunIted Republican party in 1904 they
are deceivIng themselves.
PROSPERITY DOWN SOUTH. d
I William Middandnrf vice nresidenf a