The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-06-28
THE PLATFORM.


Fifty years ago the republican party
came into existence, dedicated among
other purposes to the great task OF ar
resting the extension of human slav-
cry. In 1860 It elected its first presi-
dent. During "a of the A years which
have elapsed since the election OF
Lincoln the republican party has held
complete control of the government.
For is more of the 44>years 1t has held
partial control through the possession
of one or two branches of the govern
ment, while the democratic party dur
ing the same period has had complete
control for only two years
This long tenure of power by the
republican party is not due to chance.
1t is demonstration that the repub-
lican party has commanded the conf
dence of the American people for
nearly two generations to a degree
never equalled in our history, and has
displayed a high capacity for rule and
government which has been made
even more conspicuous by the inca
pacity and infirmity Of purpose shown
by its opponents.
A Review Of the Past.
The republican party entered upon
its present period of complete su-
premacy in 1897. We have every right
to congratulate ourselves upon the
work since then accomplished, for II
has added lustre even to the traditions
of the party which carried the govern
ment through the storms Of civil war.
We then found the country after
four years of democratic rule in evil
| plight, oppressed with misfortune and
doubtful of the future. Public credit
had been lowered, the revenues were
declining. the debt was growing, the
administrator attitude toward
Spain was feeble and mortifying. the
standard of values was threatened and
uncertain, labor was unemployed
business was sunk in the depression
which had succeeded the panic oi
1898, hope was faint and confidence
was gone.
We met these unhappy conditions
vigorously, effectively and at once.
We replaced a democratic tariff Law
based on free trade principles and
garnished with sectional protection by
consistent protective tariff, and IN
dustry, freed from oppression and
stimulated by the encouragement o.
wise laws, has expanded to a degree
never before known, has conquered
new markets and has created a vol
ume of exports which has surpassed
Imagination. Under the Dingley tariff
labor has been fully employed, wages
have risen and all industries have re
vived and prospered.
We firmly established the golC
standard, which was then menaceC
with destruction. Confidence return
ed to business and with confidence al
unexampled prosperity.
For deficient revenues supplement
ed by improvident issues of bonds WI
gave the country an income whicl
> produced a large surplus and whicl
enabled us only four years after tn
Spanish war had closed to remov
over 500, ,000, 900 of annual war taxes
reduce the public debt and lower tn
interest charges of the government.
: The public credit. which had beel
! so lowered that in time of peace
. democratic administration made larg
loans at extravagant rates of interes
in order to pay current expenditures
rose under republican administrator
:. to it's highest point and enabled us t
j: borrow at 2 per cent. even in time @
l war.
= We refused to paIter longer wit
5 the miseries of Cuba. We fought
J. quick and victorious war with Spair
T W. let Cuba free. governed the islam