Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1904-07-21
NATIONAL PLATFORM
Adopted by the National Republican
at Chicago, june 2S, 1904.

f1Ity years ago the republican EsaAf W
came into existence, dedicated, among
other purposes, othe great task Of ar-
resting the extension of human slavery.
In 1860 IL elected its first presid .nt.
During twenty-four Of the forty four
years which have elapsed since The
election of Lincoln the republican par
ty has held complete control of the
government For eighteen more Of
the forty-four years IL has held partial
control, through the possession OF one
or two branches or government, while.
the democratic party duriIg the same
period has held complete control for
only two years
This long tenure OF power by the re-
publican party Is not due to chance. III
ts demonstration that the republican
party has commanded the confidence Of
the American psople for nearly two
generations and has displayed high
capacity for rule and government,
which has been made even more con-
spicuous by the incapaciiy and lack OF
uniformity Of purpose shown by It's OPP
ponents.
GREAT WORK SINCE 1897.
The republican party entered upon
It's present period OF complete supre-
macy in 1897 We have every right
to congratulate ourselves upon the
work since then accomplished, for 1t
has added luster even to the traditions
of the party which carried the govern
ment through the storm OF the civil
war. We found the country, after four
years of democratic rule, In an evil
plight, oppressed with misfortune,
doubtful Of the future.
Public credit had been lowered: re-
venues were declining; the debt was
growing; the Administrations attitude
towards Spain was feeble and mortify-
ing; the standard Of values was threat
ened and uncertain; labor was unem-
ployed; business had sunk in the de-
preston which had succeeded the pam
ic OF 1898; hope was faint; confidence
had gone.
We met these unhappy conditions
vigorously, effectually and at once.
We replaced the democratic tariff law,
based on free trade principles and gar
nished with sectional protection, by 4
consistent protective tariff, and indus
try, freed from oppression and stimu-
lated by the encouragement OF wise
laws, has expanded to degree never
before known, has conquered new mar
kets, and has created volume of ex-
ports which has surpassed the imagina-
sion.
Under the Dtngley tariff labor has
been fully employed, wages have risen
and all industries have revived and
pros pered.
BROUGHT UNExAMPLED PROSPERITY
We firmly established the gold stan
dard. which was then menaced with
| destruction. Confidence returned tO
business, and, with confidence, unex.
ampled prosperity. For deficient reve.
nues, supplemented by improvident is.
sues Of bonds, we gave the country an
income which produced a large sur,
plus. and which enabl cd us, only -four
years after the Spanish war had closed
to remove over S10o 600 900 of annua
war taxes, reduce the debt and lower
the interest charges OF the govern
ment.
i Public credit, which had been SO low
cred that in time of peace the demo
cratic administration made large loan
at extrayagant rates of interest in ord
er to pay current expenditures, ross
under republican administration to it
| highest point and enabled us to borroy
at per cent. even in times OF war.
CUBA AND THE PHILIPPINES.
i We refused to palter longer with tn
misery OF Cuba. We fought quick
victorious war with Spain. We se
| Cuba free, governed the island TO
three years and gave 1t to the Cub
an people, with order restored, wit
ample revenues, with education an
public health established, free fror
debt, and connected with the Unite
States by wise provisions for our mt
lual interests.
/ We have reorganized the govern
ment OF Porto Rico, and its people no
enjoy peace, freedom, order and pro-
perity.
In the Philippines we have suppress
ed insurrection, established order an
given to life and property securit
never known there before. We hav
organized q civil government and mad
it an effective and strong administri
tion. and have conferred upon The pc,
pie OF those islands the largest civ
liberty they have ever enjoyed. q
our possession Of the Philippines v
we're enabled to take prompt and e
, fectiye action Ia the release OF the leg
tion at Pekin. and d decisive part
preventing the partition and preser
ing the integrity Of China.