Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1904-07-01
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 form 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 "a
of the 40 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 su-
premacy in 1897. 1t reviews what it
has accomplished since that time and
continues:
In this record of achievement during the
past eight years may be read the pledges
which the Republican party has fulfilled.
We promise to 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
home and abroad. We insist upon the
maintenance Of the principles Of protection
and 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
entrust it 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
ha nat iCn SySfn
the name, the purpose is eyerthe same.
A Democratic tariff has always been fol-
| lowed by business adversely; a Republican
| tariff by business prosperity. To Re
| publican Congress and a Republican Presi-
| dent this great question can be safely en-
trusted. When the only free trade country
among the great nations agitate aTrturn
! 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 consistant with the principles
Of protection and without injury to Ameri-
can agriculture, American labor or any
American industry.
| We believe 1t to be the duty of the Re
publican party to uphold the gold standard
and the Integrity 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 time Of belief in it or fidelity
| to it.
| While every other industry has prospered
under the fostering aid of Republican legs
| 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 encourage
| ,npt Of ind No tb,,pn nfA,. far,
| 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
| rne cOmmiss on to investigate and report
| upon this subject.
A navy powerful enough to defend the
| United States against any attack, to up
| hold the Monroe doctrine and watch over
eur commerce is essential to the safety and
| the welfare of the American people To
| maintain such a navy is the fixed policy of
the Republican party.
Chinese Must Keep Out
We cordially approve the attitude of
President Roosevelt and congress in re-
gard 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 re
new our former declarations that it shall
be thoroughly and honestly enforced
! We are always mindful of the country's
debt to the soldiers and sailors of the
United States and we believe in making
ample provision for them and in the lib
erai administration of the pension laws.
We favor the peaceful settlement of in
ternational differences by arbitration.
We commend the vigorous efforts made
BY the administration to protect American
| citizens In foreign lands and pledge our.
selves to insist upon the just and equal
protection Of all our citizens abroad II is
I the unauestIoned duty of the government to