The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1904-06-30

task of arresting the extension OF
human slavery. In 1860 it elected
the first President. During twenty
four of the forty-four years which
have elasped since the election OF
Lincoln the Republican party ha>
held complete control OF the govern
ment. For eighteen more of the
foriy-four years it has held partial
control through tie possession OF
one or two branches of toe govern
ment, while the Democratic party
during the saline period has had COM
plete control for only two years.
This long tel ure of power by the
Republican party is not due to
chance. Tt is a demonstration that
the Republican party has command
ed the confidence OF the An erican
people for nearly two generations to
a egree never equaled in our histol y
and has displayed high capacity
for rule and govern ment which has
been made even more conspicuous
by the incapacity and infrmity OF
purpose shown by its opponents.
The Republican party entered up.
on it's pres ent period of supremacy
in 1897. We have every right to con-
graduate ourselves upon the work
since then accomplished, for it has
added luster even to the ira ditions
of the party which carried the
government through the storms of
civil war. We then found the
country after four years of Demo-
cratic rule in evil plight, oppressed
with misfortune and doubtful of the
future. Puolic credit had been
lowered, and revenues were declin-
ing, the debt was growing, the ad-
ministration's attitude towards
Spain was feeble and Notifying, the
standard If values was threatened
and uncertain, labor was unemploy-
ed, business was sunk in the de-
preston which had succeeded the
panic of 1893, hope was faint AID
confidence was gone.
We met these unhappy conditions
vigorously, effectively and al once.
We replaced a Democratic tariff
law based on free trade principles
and garnished with sectional protec-
ton, by a consistent protective tariff
and industry, freed from oppression
and stimulated by the encourage
ment of wise laws, has expanded to
a degree never before known, has be-
fore known, has conquered new
markets and has created volume
of exports which has surpassed i'm
agination. Under the Dingley tariff
labor has been fully employed.
Wages have risen a nd all indus
tries have revived and prospered.
We firmly established the gold
which was then menaced with de-
struction. Confidence returned to
business and with confidence and
pnexampled prosperity for deficient
revenues supplemented Oy improvi-
dent issues of bonds we gave the
country an income which produced
a large surplus and which enabled
us only four years after the Spanish
war had closed to remove over
$780, 90, 600 of annual war taxes, re-
duce the public debt and lower the
interest charge of the government.
The public credit, which had been
SO lowered that in time of peace a
administration made
large loans at extravagant expendi-
lures, rose. under Republican adj
to its highest point
and enabled US to borrow at 2 per
cent, even in time of war.
We refused to falter longer with
the mseries of Cuta, We fought
a quick and victorious war with
Spain. We set Cuba free, govern
ed the island for three years and
then gave it to the Cuban people
with orSer restored, with ample re
venues, with education and public
health established, free from debt
and connected with the United
States by wise provisions for our
mutual interests.
We bave organized the govern
ment of Porto Rico and it's people
now enjoy peace. freedom. order and
In the Philippines we have sup
pressed Instruction, established |
order and given to life and pro perty |
4 security never known there before.
We have organized civil government