New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-06-23
rgg NATIONAL PLATFORM.

The Republican National Convention adop'eu
, nlatform Yesterday which has only 10 be read
10 be accepted as n complete and reasonaDle
resume of party doctrine. 1t was reporter
unanimously from The committee on resolutions
and was approved with equal unanimity by the
convention itself. RepuDAcan cohtehuoh
rarely encounters any serious difficulty In
framing its platform Republican policies are
known and Republican purposes are open.
Party principles do not shift in night 1hey
do not have 10 be continually debated ana de-
fined afresh An issue is not exploited as para
mount" In one campaign. and IN The next con-
signed ingloriously 10 the political ASH heap.
Processing definite beliefs ana operating on
definite lines, the Republican party needs 10
employ no expert special pleaders to state us
attitude or outline its programme. Its national
platform does not aim 10 he n masterpiece OF
double dealing and evasion-a bait 10 trap the
Unwary and the ignorant.
Republicans differ few points OF polcy-on
Sc few that IL is hard 10 raise an issue In party
conventions really worth quarrellinS over IL
forts have been made 10 show that there was
friction at Chicago over the wording of the
tariff plank in this years platform. II dliier-
encas OF opinion arose. they must nave con-
cPrned mere verbal reiinements. In all essen
tiaS there was, and is, absolute harmony on inc
tariff question. The platform reported unani-
accord with Republican theories of protection.
The tariff plank demands that the measure or
protection should always ut least equal the
difference i'm the cost Of production ut home
and abroad" This Is recognized Republican
teaching As 10 revision, the platform holds
that rates of duty should he rcadjusted only
when conditions have so changed that the
public interest demands their alteration
Change for the sake of change will always
10 TiFfonTl- n
stand patter' can challenge the wisdom of
modifying tie schedules when they no longer
accomplish their logical object. Nor can any
.'reviser' dispute the need OF caution in read
iusting an import tax scheme as closely inter
woven as ours is with the fabric Of our indus
trial and commercial life.
The reciprocity" plank harmOnizes equally
with accepted Republican ideas. 1t favors com
''mercal reciprocity wherever reciprocal ar
Engagements can be effected consistent with the
principles Of protection and without injury 70
American agriculture, American labor or any
American Industry" The theory OF reciprocity
is misunderstood by those who vaguely think IL
can be used 10 Illustrate the main purpose of n
protective tariff 1t never was intended to be
so used. There can he no wholesale and I'M
varying application OF the reciprocity theory.
There are many cases in which special tariff
agreements with foreign nations can be profit
ably made. Yet each treaty must rest on its
own individual merits. Facts not theory, must
govern IN deciding whether any given recp-
Tocal agreement is advantageous and eXpedent
AS the platform holds, true reciprocity should
supplement and not antagonize the theory OF
protection.
1t IS needless TO review ut length the plat
forms treatment Of other issues-none of them
debated or disputed in Republican councils. 4
clear and adequate statement Is made OF party
achievements and party faith. No voter can
be deceived or buncoed by the Chicago plat
form Of 1904 II is clear, open and unambgu-
Gus. 1t invites a sober and unprejudlced verdict
on the record II summarizes and the principles
IL announces; and II invites that verdict with
serene and settled confidence.