New-York tribune., 1904-09-12

RAnubIican partv should not be disturbed unless
there IS an alteration in the relative quantity of
production of silver and gold. Men VINO hold
sincere convictions vital questions can re-
spect equally sincere men with whose views
they radically differ; and men may confess
change of faith without compromising their
honor or their sef-respect. But 1t is difficult 20
respect an attitude of mind such as has been
fairly described above; and where there is no
respect there can be no trust A policy with so
slender a basis of principle would not stand the
strain of single year of business adversely.
GOLD STANDARD PERMANENT.
We on the contrary believe In the gold
standard as fixed by the usage and verdict OF
the business world, and in sound monetary
system as matters Of principle, as matters not
of momentary political expediency. but OF perna-
nent organic policy. In 1896 and again in 1900
farsighted men, without regard to their party
fealty in the past joined to work against what
they regarded as debased monetary system.
The policies which they championed have been
steadfasty adhered to by the administration;
and by the act of March ii, 1900, Congress es-
tablshed the single gold standard the meas
ure OF our monetary value. This act received
the support of every Republican in the House
and of every Republican except one in the Sem
ate. OF our opponents, eleven supported Z IN
the House and two in the Senate, and one hun
dred and fifty opposed 1t in the House and
twenty-eight in the Senate. The record OF the
last seven years proves that the party now in
power be trusted to take the additional ac
ton necessary to improve and strengthen our
monetary system, and that our opponents
not 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 who be-
lieve in that policy as matter of deep rooted
conviction. Laws can always be revoked: 1t is
the spirit and the purpose of those responsible
for their enactment and administration which
must be fixed and Interchangeable. II is Idle to
say that the monetary standard of the nation
is irrevocably fixed so long the party which
at the last election cast approximately 46 per
cent OF the total refuses to put in it's plat
form any statement that the question is set
tied. determination to remain silent cannot
be accepted equivalent to a recantation. Until
our opponents a party explicitly adopt the
views which we hold and upon which have
acted and are acting in the matter OF a sound
currency. the only real way TO keep the ques.
ton from becoming unsettled is to keep the Re-
publican party in power
RIGHTS OF CAPITAL AND LABOR.
AS for what our opponents say in reference to
capital and labor. individual or corporate. here
again all we need by way of answer is 10 point
TO what we have actually done and to say that
IL continued in power we shall continue to carry
out the policy we have been pursuing and to
execute the laws as resolutely and fearlessly IN
the future as we have executed them in the
past In my speech of acceptance 1 said:
We recognize the organization of capital and
the organization OF labor natural outcomes OF
our industrial system. Each kind of organiza-
ton is TO be favored long as it acts in spirit
OF justice and of regard for the rights OF others
Each is TO be granted the full protection OF the
law, and each in turn is TO be held 10 a strict
obedience 10 the law, for no man is above II and
no man below it. The humbest individual Is 10
have his rights safeguarded as scrupulously
those OF the strongest organization, for each is
receive justice. no more and no less. The prob
lens with which have TO deal in our modern
Industrial and social life are manifold. but the
spirit IN which II Is necessary to approach their
solution IS simply the spirit OF honesty OF cour-
age and Of common sense.
The action Of the Attorney General IN entorc-
ing the antitrust and interstate commerce laws
and the action OF the last Congress in enlarging
the scope Of the interstate commerce law. and
in creating the Department OF Commerce and
Labor, with bureau OF corporations. have for
the first time opened a chance for the national
government 20 deal intelligentIy and adequately
with the questions affecting society. whether for
good or for evil. because OF the accumulation OF
capital in great corporations and because Of the
new relations caused thereby. These laws are
now being administered with entire efficiency
and as in their working need is shown for
amendment or addition to them-whether better
to secure the proper publicity, better 70 guar
antee the rights of shippers. or in any other
direction-this need will be met. 1t is as
serted that the common law. developed. af-
fords complete legal remedy against monop-
olies." But there is common law of the
United States Its rules can be enforced only
by the State courts officers No federaI
court or officer could take any action whatever
under them. It was this fact coupled with the
inability Of the States 10 control trusts and
monopolies, which led to the passage OF the fed
eral statutes known the Sherman antitrust
act and the interstate commerce act; and 1t is
only through the exercise OF the powers con-
ferred by these acts, and by the statutes OF the
last Congress supplementing them that the ma
tional government acquires any jurisdiction over
the subject To say that action against trusts
and monopolies should be limited TO the applica-
ton of the common law is equivalent to saying
that the national government should take no ac-
tion whatever to regulate them.
LAWS ENFORCED AS REGARDS TRUSTS.
Undoubtedly the multiplication of trusts and
their increase in power have been largely due TO
the failure of officials charged with the duty of
enforcing the law to take the necessary pro-
cedure." Such structure upon the failure of the
officials Of the national government to do their
duty in this matter is certainly not wholly un-
deserved, as far as the administration preceding
President McKinley's is concerned; but IL has no
application at all to Republican administration
IL is also undoubtedly true that what is most
needed is Officials having both the disposition
and the courage to enforce existing law" This
is precisely the need that has been met by the
of{O Of +bo