Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1904-06-29

cost of production at home and abroad.
We insist upon the maintenance of
the principles of protection, and there
fore, rates Of duty should be read
justed only when conditions have so
changed that the public interest de-
| mands their alteration. But this work
| cannot safely be committed to any
other hands than those of the republi-
can party. To intrust it to the demo-
cratic party is to invite disaster.
! Whether, as in 1899, the democratic
party declared the protective tariff
unconstitutional or whether it de-
mands tariff reform or tariff revision,
its real object is always the destruc-
tion of the protective system.
However specious the name, the
purpose is ever the same. A democra-
tic tariff has always been followed by
business adversely, a republican tariff
by business prosperity.
Foreign Markets.
To republican congress and a re-
publican president this great question
can be safely intrusted. When the on
ly free trade country among the great
nations agirates return TO protection
the chief protective country should
We have extended widely our foreign
markets and we believe in the adop-
tion of all practicable methods for
their further extension, including COM
mercial reciprocity whenever recipro-
cal arrangements can be effected con-
sistent with the principles of protec-
tion and without injury to American
agriculture, American labor, or any
American industry
We believe it to be the duty of the
republican party to uphold the gold
standard aud the integrity and the
value four national currency. The
maintenance Of the gold standard, es-
tablished by the republican party, can
not safely be committed to the demo-
cratic party, which resisted its adop-
tion and has never given any proof
since that time of belief in it or fidel-
ity TO il.
Need Merchant Marine.
While every other industry has pros
pered under the fostering aid of repub-
lican legislation, American shipping
engaged in foreign trade in competi-
tion with the low cost of construc-
tion, low wages. and heavy subsidies
OF foreign governments has not for
Iuhuy years tut kONtTu-
ment of the United States adequate
encouragement of any kind. We there
fore favor legislation which will en-
courage and build up the American
merchant marine, and we cordially
approve the legislation of the last con-
gress which created the merchant
marine commission to investigate and
report upon this subject.
Will Maintain Navy.
A navy powerful enough to defend
the United States againts any attack,
to uphold the Monroe doctrine, and
watch over our commerce is essential
to the safety and the welfare of the
American people. 10 maintain such
a navy is the fixed policy of the re-
publican party.
We cordially approve the attitude of
President Roosevelt and congress in
regard 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 renew our former declarations
that it shall be thoroughly and honest
ly enforced.
We are always mindful of the coun-
try's debt to the soldiers and sailors
of the United States and we believe in
making ample provision for them in
the liberal administration of the pen
sion laws.