Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-06-30
WHAT IT HAS DONE.

The Republican party as national po-
litcal organization has been III existence
just fifty years. Forty-four years ago it won
its first national victory, and since that
time its record has been an unbroken one
of splendid achievement and intelligent
progress. During this period Of more than
forty years it has shaped the national leg
islAtion and directed the policy Of the
government, excepting that period in
cluded in the years lS93-lS96, memorable
years IN the industrial history of this coun-
try.
1t is not saying too much to assert that
the Republican party has solved more
perplexing national problems than all the
other parties combined since the organi-
cation OF the government. The grave/re-
sponslbllity of determining whether this
great country should remain as one gov
eminent, permanent Union of States, or
whether our government should be de-
stroyed and a number of insignificant
governments erected upon its ruins, was
committed to the Republican party in
1861. That task was performed in man.
ner that has crowned the party and its
great leaders vith eternal glory, and won
for them the undying gratitude Of all men
who love liberty and desire the perpetual
ton Of true republican government on the
American Continent. Even the true men
OF the South, VINO at first we're disap point-
ed and bitter over the results of the war
between the States, lived to realize that it
was better for the South, better for all the
States, better for the world and humanity
that the Union should be preserved. H.
cident to the wonderfully grave and
spIendidly accomplished task of preserv-
ing the Union Yves the equally grave one
of relieving this model republic-the hope
of mankind-fom the anomalous condi-
ton of being part free and part slave. The
Republic IN party accepted and faithfully
performed this latter task, and none but
the mentally weak or morally deficient
would desire restoration of slavery.
At the conclusion of the Civil War many
important questions incident to peace con-
fronted the Republican party for settle
ment. Changed conditions demanded
the construction of new financial system
and new industrial and commercial pol
icy. To the solution of these difficult
problems the Republican statesmen and
economists have earnestly, carefully and
periodically directed their attention. The
result has followed that the party has to
its credit system of finance that has
rarely been equalled and never surpassed
in the financial world. 1t has also fash.
toned an industrial and commercial policy
that has placed our country in the lead of
the producing and selling nations Of the
earth.
Under recent Republican Administra-
tions the party record for achievement
has not been altered or diminished. The
Administrations of Mckinley and Roose-
welt have added many fresh leaves to the
laurel wreath that adorns the brow of the
Republican party. Mr.. Mckinley res
cued the country from the wretched f.
nancial and industrial condition in which
Mr.. Cleveland and q. Democratic Con-
gress had placed it. He freed Cuba and
made the United States recognized
world power. The islands of Hawaii and
Porto Rico were added to our territory
and American diplomacy, for the first
time, became celebrated during his Ad-
ministration.
Mr.. Roosevelt, as the successor of the
lamented Mckinley, has not remained |
idle nor let the party record stand still,
but he has kept it moving along the high
way of accomplishment. He has placed
TO his credit the arbitration of the anthra-
cite coal strike, the ratification of treaty
With Cuba, the defeat of the trusts in the
celebrated Northern Securities case, and |
the making of treaty with Panama
which has secured for the United States
absolute ownership Of the Isthmlan Canal.
This latter is, perhaps, the greatest
achievement Of this or of any preceding
Administration.
The platform adopted by the National
Convention at Chicago last week shows