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

have been read by nearly everyone in
the dailies, and we can only give a
summary of the proceedings. The
most important doings were the nomi-
nation of the candidates for President
and Vice. President and the adoption
of the platform of the party, which
we give In full below, and hope that
il will be given CAREFUL reading by
all:
THE PLATFORM:
Fifty years ago the republican party
came into existence dedicated among
other purposes to the great task OF
arresting the extension of human
slavery. In 1860 it elected it's first
president. During twenty-four of the
forty-four years which have elapsed
since the election of Lincoln the re-
publican party has held complete con-
troll of the government. For eighteen
more of the fortyfcur years it has
held partial control through the pos
session Of one or two branches of the
government. 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 to chance.
1t is demonstration that the republi-
can party has commanded the conf
den,e of the American people for near
ly two generations to degree never
equa.ed in our history. and has dis
played high capacity for rule and
government which has been made even
more conspicuous by the incapacity
and infirmity of purpose shown by it's
opponents.
Adds Luster to Record.
The republican party entered upon
Its present period of complete suprem-
acy in 1897 We have every right TO
congratulate ourselves upon the work
since then accomplished, for it has
added luster 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
administration attitude toward Spain
dard of values was threatened and un-
certain, labor was unemployed, busi-
ness was sunk ia the depression which
had succeeded the panic of 1898, hope
was faint. and confidence was gone.
Bad Situation Remedied.
We met these unhappy conditions
vigorously, effectively. and at once.
We replaced democratic tariff law
based ON free trade principles and
garnished with sectional protection
by consistent prot active tariff. and
industry freed from opposition and
stimulated by the encouragement of
wise laws has expanded TO degree
never before known, has conquered
new markets and has created volume
of exports which has surpassed imagi-
nation. Under the Dingley tariff labor
has been fully employed, wages have
risen and all industries have revived
and prospered
Gold Standard.
We firmly established the gold stan
dard, which was then menaced with
destruction. Confidence returned to
business. and with confidence an un-
exampled prosperity.
For deficient revenues. supplemented
by improvident issues of bonds, we
gave the country an income which
produced large surplus and which
enabled us only four years after the
Spanish war had closed to remove over
SlOc, 900. 600 of annual war taxes, re-
duce the public debt, and lower the
interest charges OF the government.