The San Francisco call., 1904-06-23
REPUBLICAN PURPOSE.


The extension of slavery grew to be an absorbing
issue. 1t outgrew all questions of tariff and finance
When the Wing party died and succeeded in some
parts of the country by the Know Nothing party it was
by kindred spirits that had been apart in the Wing
and Democratic parties that useful national organiza
ton could be founded upon the principle of rel-
gous rancor, and that there issue, that of hu
man freedom of free men and of free SOIL that
be uppermost in republic. So these spirits joined in
the formation of the Republican party.
Some of them written down fanatics. and they
The of prejudice against the party that
still exist relate its crusade against the institution of
slavery. Its great achievements its staesmanlke deal
ing with other than its prmorda issue its gathering to
itself many of the master minds of the country,
all unforeseen that day that make its first nom
nation to the Presidency. Since then its history is
studded with achievements in every line OF statecratt
in finance economics, the finding of paths for the indus
trial. scientific and ethical progress of the people, and in
the safeguarding of human rights
The party again. fortyeght years after its first
convention remind the country of its history of its
acts of its promises and of its future purpose. The
speech of the temporary chairman is something
than the opening address OF great convention 1t is
another added the many evidences of the abundant
craftsmanship which the party has attracted to its lead
ershp The great of its first of years have
passed away and those of its third decade aged and
their ranks thinned by mortality Blaine and Conk
ling Logan and Grant, Sherman and Evarts, Mckinley
and Hanna gone But it raises the pride of Ameri-
that the trust which Jared we'll in their hands
to fail for lack of trustees capable of its administration
The speech of Elhu Root places him in the front rank
worthy those whose lives the sub
ject of his threnody and fit companion of the living
whose purpose in party leadership he presented the
couptry We invite all men to read it, and especially
invite to it the attention of those Democrats whom
the welfare of the country is dearer than party
victory The Republican party may some time lapse, as
may happen to any human organization. But its
tura force is undated 1t has fxity of purpose,
conference of policy and is adolescent in the of
possessing unmpaired strength for achievement No
Democrat need fear to read this speech lest it aront
him. 1t is not indictment of his party, does it
mention anything done threatened by it hold up
contempt 1t is free from that kind of partsanship
Viewing with alarm" is usually demagogic and this is
the speech of demagogue, but of statesman who
the noble rhetoric of undersatement in telling what
great party has done for great country and of the
further deeds of which it is capable maintain that
greatness
In his peroraton he condensed the immediate past and
the edate future in this statement which is a sui-
cent platform: "The first administration of Mckinley
fought and the with Spain, put down the in
surrecton in the Philippines, annexed Hawaii. rescued
the legations in Pekng brought Porto Rico into our
commercial system. enacted protective tariff and
tablished national currency the firm foundations
of the gold standard by the financial legislation of the
Fifty-sixh Congress.
The present administration has reduced taxation,
duced the public debt reduced the annual interest
charge made effective progress in the regulation of
trusts fostered business promoted agriculture built up
the navy recognized the army, resurrected the militia
system, naugurated policy for the preservation
and reclamation of public lands given civil government
to the Philippines, established the republic of Cuba,
bound by ties of gratitude of commercial inter-
and of defense, swung open the closed
gateway of the sthmus, strengthened the Monroe doc
trine ended the Alaskan boundary dispute protected
integrity of China opened wider its doors of trade ad
vanced the principle of arbitration and promoted peace
among the nations
"We challenge judgment upon this record of effective
performance in legislation execution and in admins
tration.
"The work is fully done policies are not COM
petely wrought domestic questions still press con-
nualy for solutions other be regulated the
tariff may presently receive revision, and if so should
receive it the hands of the friends and the enemies
of the protective system; the new Philippine Govern
has only begun to develop its plans for the benefit
of that long-negected country flag floats on the
isthmus, but the canal yet be built; peace does not
yet reign on earth and considerate hrness backed bv
strength still needful in diplomacy.
"The American people have say whether pol-
cies shall be reversed committed to unfriendy guar
dans; whether performance which proves itself for
the benefit and honor of country shall be trans
ferred to unknown and perchance feeble hands"
The Democratic Convention will have its temporary
chairman and its opening statement. In advance we call
attention the difference which must appear between
the two The Democratic statement must ignore the
recent history of the party 1t cannot dwell upon the
history of Mr. Clevelands last administration for everv
great purpose he cherished effectively thwarted bv
his party AS for the future all Chat can be said is the