The National tribune., 1904-06-30

pledges which the Republican party has
fulfilled. We promise to continue these
policies, and we declare our constant ad-
herence to the following principles:
PROTECTION CARDINAL POLICY.
Protection, which guards and develops
our Industries, is cardinal policy of the
Republican Party. The measure of pro-
lection should always at least equal the
difference in the cost of production at
home and abroad. We insist upon the
maintenance of the principles of protec-
ton, and, therefore, rates of duty should
be readjusted only when conditions have
so changed that the public interest de-
mands their alteration, but this work can
not safely be committed to any other
hands than those of the Republican Party.
To intrust it to the Democratic Party Is
to invite disaster. Whether, as in 1892,
the Democratic Party declares the protec-
tive tariff unconstitutional, or whether it
demands tariff reform or tariff revision,
it's real object is always the destruction
of the protective system. However spe-
cious the name the purpose isvever the
same. Democratic tariff has always been
followed by business adversely; Repub-
lican tariff by business prosperity. To
Republican Congress and a Republican
President this great question can be safe
ly intrusted. When the only free trade
COuHlfy dHOuS Tic SiCdt hatiOhS o6iSdtSS
return to protection the chief protec-
tive country should not falter in main
ia lining it. =.
We have extended widely our foreign
markets, and we believe in the adoption
of all practicable methods for their further
extension, including commercial reciproc-
ity wherever reciprocal arrangements can
be effected consistent with the principles
of protection and without injury to Amer
lean agriculture, American labor, or any
American industry.
WILL UPHOLD GOLD STANDARD.
We believe it to be the duty of the Re-
publican Party to uphold the gold stand
ard and the integrity and value of our
National currency. The maintenance OF
the gold standard, established by the Re
publican Party, can not be safely COM
mitted to the Democratic Party, which re-
sisted its adoption and has never given
any proof since that time of belief in it or
fidelity to 1t.
While every other industry has pros
pered under the fostering aid of Republi-
can legislation, American shipping engaged
in foreign trade in competition with the
low cost of construction, low wages, and
heavy subsidies of foreign Governments,
has not for many years received from the
Government of the United States adequate
encoura cement of any kind. We therefore
favor legislation which will encourage and
build up the American merchant marine,
and we cordially approve the legislation
Of the last Congress which created the
Merchant Marine Commission to inyesti-
gate and report upon this subject.
A Navy powerful enough to defend the
United States against any attack, to up
hold the Monroe Doctrine, and watch over
our commerce, is essential to the safety
and the welfare of the American people.
To maintain such Navy is the fixed
policy of the Republican Party.
We cordially approve the attitude OF
President Roosevelt and Congress in re-
gard to the exclusion of Chinese labor, and
promise continuance of the Republican
policy in that direction.
The Civil-Service law was placed on the
statute books by the Republican Party,
which has always sustained it, and we re-
new our former declarations that it shal,
PENSIONS FOR THE VETERANS.
We are always mindful of the country's
debt to the soldiers and sailors of the
United States, and we believe in making
ample provision for them and in the lib
eral administration of the pension laws.
We favor the peaceful settlement of in
ternational differences by arbitration.
We commend the vigorous efforts made
by the Administration to protect Amer
ican citizens in foreign lands, and pledge
ourselves to insist upon the just and equal
protection Of all our citizens abroad. 1t
is the unquestioned duty of the Govern
ment to procure for all our citizens, with
out distinction. the rights of travel and So
journ in friendly countries, and we declare
ourselves in favor Of all proper efforts
tending to that end.
Our great interests and our growing
commerce in the Orient render the con-
dition of Cuba of high Importance to the
United States. We cordially commend the
policy pursued in that direction by the
Administrations of President Mckinley
and President Roosevelt.
We favor such Congressional action as
shall determine whether by special dis
ordinations the elective franchise In any
State has been unconstitutionally limited,
and. il such is the case. we demand that
representation In Congress and in the elec-
toral colleges shall be proportionally re-
duced as directed by the Constitution of
RIGHTS OF TRUSTS AND PEOPLE.
Combinations Of capital and Of labor
are the results of the economic movement
Of the age, but neither must be permitted
to infringe upon the rights and interests
Of the people. Such combinations, when
lawfully formed for lawful purposes, are
alike entitled to the protection of the laws,
but both are subject to the laws and neith-
er can be permitted to break them.
The great statesmau and patriotic
American, William Mckinley. who was re-
elected by the Republican Party to the
Presidency four years ago, was assassi-
term. The entire Nation mourned his un-
timely death and did that justice to his
great qualities of mind and character
which history will confirm and repeat.
The American people were fortunate In
his successor, to whom they turned with q