The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-09-22
Reviews the Achievements oI
Republican Party
ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE
Defends the Record of Mr.. Roosevelt
and Says He Is Gratlfied That All
Sectional Differences
Have Disappeared

Sectional Differences
Have Disappeared.
Indianapolis, Ind, September 21s-Ths
letter of United States Senator Charles
w Fairbanks accepting the republican
for the vice presidency. which
is made public today. is in part as fol-
lows
The convention did we'll in its hearty
of the administration OF
President Roosevelt. This is sharply
challenged by the opposition. We accept
the issue with confidence. The president
assumed the responsibilities of chief ex-
ecutive with a pledge to carry out the
policy of his beloved and lamented pred
ecessor. He kept the cabinet of President
Mckinley, composed of statesmen of en-
inent ability, in whom the country placed
entire confidence. He carried forward tho
uncompleted work faithfully and sue
cessfully. The pledge has been kept
scrupulously; the promise has been full
filled. Peace and good order have been
maintained. Domestic and foreign trade
have increased and relations of amity
have been preserved with foreign pow
ers.
The foreign policy of the administration
has been conservative, just and firm, and
has made for the advancement of peace.
Time and events have given US a larger
place in international affairs. While wa
have enlarged our foreign commerce. we
have Increased our prestige abroad not
with the sword but with the peaceful
agency of enlightened diplomacy.
Thirty treaties have been concluded
and proclaimed and stand to the credit
of the administration Some of these are
of far-reaching Importance. Among the
number are the HayPauncefote treaty,
superseding the Clayton Bulwer eonven-
| tlon, which stood In the way Of the
construction of an isthmisn canal, the
Panama canal trlaty. the Alaskan boun-
Diary treaty ~-..i commercial treaties with
China and with Cuba
Events in the Far East.
Events in the far east suggest the Wis
dom and necessity of a continuance of
the present foreign policy. We have
maintained exact neutrality between
Russia and Japan. At the beginning of
the war between them, they assented to
the SUGGESTION MADE Dy the ddnnlnlSlfa-
This tends to preserve the open door in
the orient, so important and so much de-
sired In the expansion OF our commerce.
1t is the policy of the administration.
predieated upon the soundest national
prudence to settle and remove by treaty
so far as possible. those international
differences which lead to future fric-
tion.
Doctrine of Protection.
The convention wisely declared in favor
of protection which guards and develops
our industries, and that "the measure
of protection should at least equal the diff
ference in the cost of production at home
and abroad"
This principle was embodied in the plat
form of the convention which first nomi-
mated Abraham Lincoln. and it has con-
tinued to be one of the cardinal doctrines
of the republican party during the forty
four years which have elapsed since then.
1t has become Incorporated into the pub
| lie law, and has become the foundation
| Of our industrial system. 1t has been re-
| garded by the republican party as rea-
sonable and appropriate exercise of the
| legislative power when imposing duties
| upon imports to discriminate In favor or
| American industries. This principle is die
| tated by a due regard for our enterprise
and industry. and is founded upon the
highest considerations of national inter-
est.
The democratic convention which lately
assembled at st. Louis denounced pro-
lection as a robbery of the many to en-
rich the few" and favored revision and
gradual reduction of the tariff
The issue is thus distinctly made. 1t Is
by no means new one for while the re-
publican party has uniformly adhered TO
the policy of protection, the democrats
party has been consistent In its opposi-
ton 1t has held to the doctrine OF rev.
enue tariff, and during all the years OF
the contest has maintained that the pro-
teetive system was opposed 10 sooo
morals in contrayention Of the constitu-
tion and in violation of sound economies.
The objections which are now urged
against II are only a repetition OF those
which have found utterance Tor many
| years The difference between the paIues
is radical and fundamental II Involves
the principle of protection ana not SIM
nlv the measure of the duties TO be laiu.
4 revision of duties should be made only
when conditions have so changed that the
public interest demands their alteration.
and they should be so revised as 10 pre-
serve and not destroy the protective prin-
clple.
Awaken Serious Apprehension.
A revision and reduction by those VINO
regard the tariff as robbery must awak-
| on serious apprehension among all whose
capital is mployed or who are engaged
at labor IN the various enterprises
throughout the country, which depend in
| large measure upon the maintenance OF
the protective system. revision OF the
tariff along revenue lines means the IN
creased Importation of the products OF
foreign manufacture which come into
| competition with our domestic production
| 1t means a loss TO the American wage
earners and to American capital This
Is therefore. not a theoretical question
which is presented to them. but Is one OF
Immediate and practical moment. 1t can
be settled ny them, and by them only.
History isbundantly shows that the
greatest Industrial development of the
country has occurred during the period
when the protective tariff has been MAIN
tained and that during this time labor
has received its largest rewards and capi-
tai has been most profitaby engaged
The development of the country during
the last forty-four years Is a complete
vindication of the virtue and efficiency
of protective system. Its benfits have
been diffused through all sections OF