The National tribune., 1904-06-30
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.
Proud Recital of Patys Past Achievements Confident
Promises as to the Future.

came into existence, dedicated among other
purposes to the great task of arresting
the extension Of human slavery. In 1850
it elected its first President. During "a
of the A years which have elapsed since
the election of Lincoln, the Republican
Party has held complete control of the
Government. For Is more of the A years
ii has held partial control through the
possession Of one or two branches OF the
Government, while the Democratic Party
during the same period had complete con-
troll for only two years. This long tenure
of power by the Republican Party is not
due to chance. 1t is demonstration
that the Republican Party has commanded
the confidence of the American people tor
nearly two generation to a degree never
equaed in our history, and has displayed
a high capacity for rule and government,
which has been made even more conspic-
uous by the ineapacity and infirmity OF
purpose shown by it's opponents.
! The Republican Party entered upon its
present period of complete supremacy in
1897 We have every right to congratulate
ourselves upon the work since then accom-
pIished, for il has added luster even to the
traditions of the party which carried
the Government through the storms of civil
war.
BLIGHTED BY DEMOCRATIC RULE.
We then found the country after four
oppressed with misfortune and doubtful OF
the future. Public credit had been low
cred, the revenues were declining, the
attitude toward Spain
was feeble and mortifying, the standard of
values was threatened and uncertain,
labor was unemployed, business was sunk
in the depression which had succeeded the
l~, fnsv md r.
dence was gone.
We met these unhappy conditions vigor-
ously, effectively, and at once. We re-
placed a Democratic tariff law based on
sectional protection by consistent pro-
tectiye tariff, and industry, freed from op-
preston and stimulated by the encour-
agement of wise laws, has expanded to
degree never before known, has conquered
new markets, and has created a volume
Of exports which has surpassed imagina-
ton. Under the Dingley tariff labor has
been fully employed, wages have risen, and
all industries have revived and prospered.
We firmly established the gold standard.
which was then menaced with destruction.
Confidence returned to business, and with
confidence an unexampled prosperity. For
deficient revenues, supplemented by i'm
provident issues Of bonds, we gave the
country an income which produced large
surplus and which enabled us only four
years after the Spanish war had closed
to remove over 500, ,OOO, 900 of annual war
taxes. reduce the public debt, and lower
the interest charges of the Government.
PURLIc CREDIT RESTORED.
The public credit, which had been SO
lowered that in time of peace a Demo
cratic Administration made large loans at
extrayagant rates of interest in order to
pay current expenditures, rose under Re
publican administration to it's highest
point and enabled US to borrow at per
cent. even in time of war.
We refused to palter longer with the
miseries of Cuba. We fought a quick and
victorious war with Spain. We set Cuba
free, governed the island for three years,
and then gave it to the Cuban people with
order restored, with ample revenues, with
education and public health established,
free from debt, and connected with the
United States by wise provisions for our
mutual interests.
We have organized the Government Of
Porto Rico, and its people now enjoy
peace, freedom, order and prosperity.
In the Philippines we have suppressed
insurrection, established order, and given
to life and property security never
known there before. We have organized
Civil Government. made it effective and
strong in administration, and have con-
ferred upon the people of those islands the
largest civil liberty they have ever enjoyed.
By our possession of the Philippines
we were enabled to take prompt and effec-
tive action in the relief Of the legations ut
Peking and q decisive part in preventing
the partition and preserving the integrity
Of China.
THE CANAL AND IRRIGATION.
The possession Of route for an 18TH
mian canal, so long the dream of Amer
lean statesmanship, is now an accom-
plished fact. The great work Of connect
ing the Pacific and Atlantic by a canal
il at last begun, and it is due to the Re
publican party.
We have passed laws which will bring
the arid lands of the United States within
the area Of cultivation.
We have recognized the Army and put
it in the highest state of efficiency.
We have passed laws for the improve
ment and support Of the militia.
Of the Navy, the defense and protection
OF our honor and our interests.
Our administration of the great Depart
ments Of the Government has been honest
and efficient, and wherever wrongdoing
has been discovered, the Republican Ad-
ministration has not hesitated to probe the
evil and bring offenders to- justice with
Laws enacted by the Republican Party
which the Democratic Party failed to en-
force and which were intended for the pro-
lection Of the public against the unjust
discrimination or the illegal encroaehment
Of vast aggrega ations Of capital. have been
fearlessly enforced by Republican Presi-
dent, and new laws insuring reasonable
publicity a to the operations Of great
corporations. and providing additional
remedies for the prevention Of discrimi-