The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-06-30
REPUBLICAN PLATFORM

Full Text of the Republican Plat
form Adopted at the National
Convention Last Week. : !
"Fifty years ago the republ can party
came into existence, dedicated, among
other purposes, to the great task OF
arresting the extension III human slaN-
cry. In 1860 it elected it's first presi-
dent. During twenty-:our of the forty
four years that have elapsed since the
election OF Lincoln the republican party
has held complete control of the govern
ment. For siNt cen more of the forty
four years it has held partial control
through the possession of one or two
branches of the government, while the
democratic party during the same per-
iod has had complete control for only
two years. ri
PARTY HOLDS PEOPLES CONFIDENCE.
This long tenure of power by the re-
publican party is not due to chance. 1t
! is demonstration that the republican
party has commanded the confidence of
the American people for nearly two
generations to a degree never equalled
in our history and has displayed high
capacity for rule and government, which
has been made even more conspicuous
by the incapacity and intirmity of pur-
pose of our opponents.
"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 acc oomplished for it has added
1I1cf fnnn fN no Il 30 / ia
party which carried the government
through the storms of the civil war. 4
I'VE then found the country after four
with misfortune, and doubtful of The
future. Public credit had been lowered
revenues We're declining, the debt was
growing. The Administrations attitude
toward Spain was feeble and mortify-
ing. The standard of values was threat
ening and uncertain. Labor was uneH1-
ployed. Business was sunk in the de
| preston which had succeeded the panic
i of 1898. Hope was faint and confidence
was gone.
1--WE met these unhappy conditions
vigorously, effectively and at once. We
replaced democratic tariff based on
free trade principles and garnished
with sectional protection by consist
ent protective tariff, and industry freed
from oppression and stimulated by the
encouragement of wise laws, has ex-
panded to degree never before known,
has conquered new markets and has
created d volume Of exports which has
Surpassed imagination.
WORK OF THE REPUBLICANS.
"Under the Dingley tariff labor has
been fully employed, wages have risen
and all the industries have revived and
prospered. We firmly established the
gold standard, which was then menaced
with destruction. Confidence returned
to business and with confidence an
unexampled prosperity. For deficient
revenues, supplemented by improvident
issues of bonds, we gave the country an
income which produced large surplus,
and it enabled us only four years after
the Spanish war had closed to remove
over s10O,O00,OO0 of annual war taxes,
reduced the public debt and lowered
the interest charges Of the government.
The public credit, which had been so
lowered that in time of peace the demo-
cratic administration made large loans
at extravagant rates of interest in
order to pay current expenses, rose
under republican administration to it's
highest point and enabled us to borrow
at per cent even in time of war.
eve refused to palter longer with the
miseries of Cuba. We fought a quick
and victorious war with Spain. We set
Cuba free, governed the island for three
years and then gave it to the Cuban
people with order restored, with ample
revenues, with education and public
health established, free from debt and
connected with the United States by
wise provisions for our mutual interests.
"We have organized the government
of Porto Rico and it's people now enjoy
peace, freedom, order and prosperity.
REBELLION SUPPRESSED.
"ln the Philippines we have suppress
ed insurrection, established order and
given to life and property security
never known there before. We have
organized civil government, made it
effective and strong in administration
and have conferred upon the people of
those islands the largest civil liberty
they have ever enjoyed.
"By our possession of the Philippines
we were enabled to take prompt and
effective action in the relief of the lega-
tions at Pekin and a decisive part in
preventing the partition and the pre-
serving of the integrity of China.
"The possession of a route for an 18TH
mian canal, SO long the dream of Amer
lean craftsmanship, is now an accom-
plished fact. The great work of con-
Meeting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans
by canal is at last begun and it is due
to the republican party.
I'VE have passed laws which will
bring the arid lands of the United
States within the area of cultivation.
ARMY REoRGANIZED.
1--WE have reorganized the army and
put it in the highest state of efficiency.
"We have passed laws for the i'm
provement and support of the militia.
1--WE have pushed forward the build
ing Of the navy, the defense and protec-
tion of our honor and our interests.
"Our administration Of the great de-
partments Of the government has been
honest and efficient and wherever
Il