Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1904-07-04
THE PLATFORM
Review of What Has Been Done
and a Renewal of PLEDGES

From the standpoint of political I'M
portance the adoption Of the party plat
form was the event Of the day. 1t
contained declarations Of party policy
that are to foSm the basis of much of the
oratory in the coming campaign. But
the permanent chairman's personality
almost overshadowed the platform.
The platform states that during 81
of the 70 years which have elapsed
since the election Of Lincoln the Re
publican party has held complete con
troll Of the government, entering upon
its present period of complete SUI
premacy in 1897. 1t reviews what it
has accomplished since that time and
continues:
In this record II achievement during the
past eight years may be read the pledges
which the Republican party has fulfilled.
We promise 10 continue these policies and
we declare our constant adherence to the
following principles:
Protection which guards and develops
our industries is a 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 protection
aud therefore rates Of duty should be re-
adjusted only when conditions have so
changed that the public interest demands
their alteration. but this work cannot
safely be committed to any other hands
than those of the Republican party. To
eutrust il to the Democratic party is to
invite disaster. Whether, as in 1892, the
Democratic party declared the protective
tariff unconstitutional, or whether it de-
mands tariff reform or tariff revision, its
real object is always the destruction OF
the protective system. However specioGs
the name, the purpose is ever the same
Democratic tariff has always been fol-
lowed by business adversely; Republican
tariff by business prosperity. To a Re-
publican Congress and Republican Presf-
dent this great question can be safely eli
trusted. When the only free trade country
among the great nations agitate a return
TO protection the chief protective country
should not falter in maintaining it,
We have extended widely our foreign
markets, and we believe in the adoption
of all practicable methods for their further
extension, including commercial reciprO-
city wherever reciprocal arrangements can
be effected CONSTANT with the principles
of protection and without injury to Ameri-
can agriculture, American labor any
American industry.
We believe it to be the duty of the Re
publican party to uphold the gold standard
and the int gritty and value of our ma
tional currency. The maintenance of the
gold standard, established by the Republi-
| can party, cannot safely be committed to
| the Democratic party, which resisted its
| adoption and has never given any proof
| since that tine of belief in it or fidelity
| to 1t.
While every other industry has prospered
| under the fostering aid of Republican leg s.
| lation, American shipping engaged in for
| eign trade in competition with the low cost
OF construction, low wages and heavy sub
| sides of foreign governments has not for
many years received from the government
| of the United States adequate encoura ge-
ment of any kind. We therefore favor leg
| islation which will encourage and build up
! the American merchant marine and we cor
daily approve the legislation of the last
! congress which created the merchant ma
| rine commiss on to investigate and report
| upon this subject.
| y navy powerful enough to defend the
United States against any attack, to up
| hold the Monroe doctrine and watch ever
| Iur commerce is essential to the safety aud
| me welfare of the American people. To
maintain such a navy is the fixed policy of
| the Republican party.