The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-09-12

ing what might we'll have been an ire
sistible impetus. Such mutually de-
structive criticisms furnish an adequate
measure of the chance for coherent &C
ton or constructive legislation if our
opponents should be given power.
Democratic Policies.
So much for what our opponents
openly or covertly advance in the way
of an attack on the acts of the admin
istrati9n:; When he we !, come m to consider
stand we are met with the difficulty al
ways arising when statements of policy
are so made that they can be inter-
preted in different ways. On some of
the vital questions that have confronted
our opponents, take the position that
silence is the best possible way to con-
vey their views. They contend that
their lukewarm attitude of partial &C
quleseence in what others have accom-
plished entities them to be made the
custodians of the financial honor and
commercial interests which they have
but recently sought to ruin. ~
Being unable to agree among thmselves
as to whether the gold STANDARD Is a
curse or a blessing, and as to whether
we ought or ought not to have free and
parently thought 1t expedlent to avoid any
commlttal these subjects, and indiv-
dually each to follow his particular bent.
Their nearest approach to a majority
Judgment seems to be that 1t Is now In
expedent to assert their convictions one
way or the other, and that the establish
nent of the gold standard by the repub-
lcan party should not be disturbed unless
there Is an alteration In the relative guam
tity Of production Of silver and gold. Men
who hold sincere convictions on vital
questions can respect equally sincere men
with whose views they radically differ;
and men may confess change of faith
without compromising their honor or their
self-respect. But 1t Is difficult to respect
an attitude of mind such as has been
fairly described above; and where there
10 no respect there can be no trust. A
policy with so slender basis of principle
would not stand the strain of single
year Of business adversely.
We, on the contrary, believe in the
gold standard as fixed by the usage and
verdict of the business world and in q
sound monetary system as matters of
prlnc1ple; as matters not Of momentary
political expediency, but of permanent
organic policy. In 1896 and again in
1900 far-sighted men, without regard
to work against what they regarded as
a. debased monetary system. The poll
cies which they championed have been
steadfastly adhered to by the admins
trraotdion; and by the act of March "A,
1900 congress established the single
gold standard as the measure of our
monetary value. This act received the
support of every republican in the house
and of every republican except one in
the oenatG Of %nnse to
senate; and $50 opposed 1t in the house
and % in the senate. The record of the
last seven years proves that the party
now in power can be trusted to take the
additional action necessary to Improve
and strengthen our monetary system,
and that our opponents cannot be SO
trusted. The fundamental fact is that
In a popular government such as ours
no policy is irrevocably settled by law
unless the people keep in control of the
government men who believe in that
policy as matter of deep-rooted con
viction. Laws can always be revoked
it is the spirit and the purpose of those
responsible for their enactment and ad
ministration which must be fixed and
Interchangeable.
1t Is idle to say that the monetary
standard of the nation Is IrrevocabI,
fixed SO long as the party which at The
last election cast approximately 46 pei
cent of the total vote, refuses to put In 1t.
platform any statement that the question
Is settled. A determination to remain
a recantatIon. Until our opponents as {
party explicitly adopt the Views which we
hold and upon which we have acted eS,c
are acting, In the matter Of a sound cur
renoy, the only real way to keep the ques
tlon from becoming unsettled Is to keeE
the republican party In power.
AS for what our opponents say il
reference to capital and labor, individ
ual or corporate here again all we nee
by way of answer is to point to VIVA
we have actually done, and to say tina
if continued in power we shall continu
to carry out the policy we have beel
pursuing, and to execute the laws a
as we have executed them in the past
In my speech of acceptance | said:
1--WE recognize the organization o
capital and the organization Of labor a
tenn. Each kind Of organization is t
be favored so long as it acts in spiri
of Justice and of regard for the right
of others. Each is to be granted tn
full protection of the law, and each i
turn is to be, held to strict obedienc
to the law; for no man is above it an
no man below it. The humblest indivic
ual is to have his rights safeguarded a
scrupulously as those Of the stronges
organization, for each is to receive jul
tice, no more and no less. The prof.
lens with which we have to deal
our modern industrial and social life al
manifold; but the spirit in which it
necessary to approach their solution
simply the. spirit Of honesty, of cou
age, and of common sense.'
First Government Opportunity.
The action of the attorney genera
in enforcing the antitrust and inte
state commerce laws, and the action {
the last congress in charging the scoI
of the interstate commerce law, and
creating the department of commere
and labor, with bureau Of corpor;
tions, have for the first time opened
chance for the national government !
deal intelligently and adequately wit
the questions affecting society, whetht
for good OF for evil, because of tt
accumulation of capital in great co
porations, and because of the new rel
tions caused thereby. These laws al
now being administered with entire e
ficiency, and as, in their working, nee
is shown for amendment or addition
them-whether better to secure tt
proper, publicity, or better to guarant,
the rights Of shippers, OF in any 9th
direction-thi need will be met.
is now asserted "that the common la,
as developed, affords complete leg
remedy against monopolies.' But the
is no common law of the United State
It's rules can be enforced only by II
state courts and officers. No feder