Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-09-02
REPUBLICANpL ATFORM10O4

Fifty years aro the Republican party
ca Into existence dedicated among other
purposes to the great task Of arresting the
extension OF human slavery. In 1890 It
elected Its first President During "a Of
the ~ years which have elapsed since the
election Of Lincoln the Republican party
has held complete control Of the govern
Jnent. For IS more Of the "A years IT has
held partial control through the posses
sion Of one or two brarchef Of the govern
ment, while the Democratic party during
the same period has had complete control
for only two years. This long tenure Of
power by the Republican party Is not due
10 chance. II Is demonstration that the
Republican phrty Inns commanded the con-
fdence Of the American people for nearly
two generations to n degree never euuaied
IN orr history, and has displayed high
capacity for rule and government which
has been made even more conspicuous by
the incnpncity and infrnity Of purpose
shown by its opponents.
Conditions in 1897.
The Republican party entered upon its
present period of complete supremacy I'm
1897. We have every right to congratu-
late ourselves upon the work since then
accomplished. for II has added Iuster even
to the traditions Of the party which carried
war.
We then found the country after four
years ~ Democratic rule In evil plight, OPP
pressed with misfortune and doubtful Of
cred, the revenues were declining, the debt
was growing the ndministrntion's attitude
toward Spain was feeble and Notifying.
the standard Of values was threatened and
uncertain. labor was unemployed, business
was sunk In the depression which had sue
ceeded the panic Of 1893 hope was faint
and confidence was gone.
We met these unhappy conditions vigor-
ously, effectively and at once.
The Tariff Law.
We replaced a Democratic tariff law
brscd on free trade prncirles and gar
nished with sectional protection by con
sistent protective tariff, and industry. freed
from oppression and stimulated by the en-
couragement Of wise laws, has expanded
10 n degree never before known. has con
quered new markets. and has created
volume Of exports which has surpassed
imagination Under the Dinglev tariff
lnhor has been fully employed, wages have
risen and all Industries have revived and
prospered
We firmly established the gold stand
ard which was then menaced with de-
struction Confidence returned to hrsi-
ness. and with confidence an unexampicd
prosperity
Revenues.
For deficient revenues, supplemented by
improvident issues Of bonds we gave the
country an income which produced a large
surplus and which enabled us only four
years after the Spanish war had closed
TO remove over S1O0.0o0.0oo Of annual war
taxes. reduce the public debt and lower
the interest charges Of the government
The Public Credit Restored.
The public credit. which had been so
lowered that In time Of peace a Demo
cratic administration made large loans at
extrnvagant rates 81 interest In order 70
pew current expenditures rose under Re
ruhlican administration to its highest
point and enabled us to borrow at 2 per
cent even In time Of war.
Cuba.
We refused to palter longer with the
Iniseries of Cuba. We fought quick and
victorious war with Spain We set Cuba
free, governed the island for three years.
and then gave II to the Cuban people with
orler restored. with ample revenues. with
education and public health esta hlished.
free from debt and connected with the
United States by wise provisions for our
mutual interests.
Porto Rico.
We have organized the government of
Porto Rico, and its people now enjoy peace,
freedom, order and prosperity.
The Philippines.
In the Philippines we have suppressed
insurrection. established order and given
t. life . and pr9nerty W. t security never yer
civil government. made it effective and
strong In administration. and have con
ferrcd upon the people Of those Islands
the largest civil liberty they have ever en-
joyed.
by our possession of the Philippines we
were enabled to take prompt and effective
action In the relief OF the legations at
the partition and preserving the integrity
Of China
The Tsthmiau Canal.
The possession of route for an 18TH
milan canal. so long the dream of Amer
lean craftsmanship, is now an accom-
ing the Pacific and Atlantic by a canal is
ar last begun. and it is due to the Re
publican party.
The Arid Lands.
We have passed the laws which will
bring the arid lands OF the United States
within the area OF cultivation.
The Army and Navy.
We have reorganzed the army and put
It in the highess state OF efficiency.
We have passed laws for the improve
ment and support OF the militia.
We have pushed forward the building OF
the navy. the defense and protection of
our honor and our interests.
Our administration Of the great depart
ments Of the government has been honest
and efficient, and wherever wrongdoing has
been discovered the Republican admins
tration has not hesitated to probe the evil
and bring the offenders to Justice without
regard TO party or political ties.
The Great Corporations.
Laws enacted by the Republican party
which the Democratic party failed TO en-
force and which were intended for the
protection of the public against the unjust
discrimination or the Illegal encroachment
OF vast aggregations OF capital. have been
fearlessly enforced by a Republican Presi-
dent and new laws insurinG reasonable pub
lcty as To the operations NJ great cor
porations. and providing additional rene
dies for the prevention Of discrimination
lu freight rates have been passed by q
Republican Congress.
In this record OF achievement during the
past eight years may be read the pledges
which the Republican party h,s fulfilled
We promise to continue these policies and
we declare our constant adherence to the
following principles:
Protection to American Industries.
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